When you are potent, you are living your full potential. This insight came from my friend and tireless advocate, Kelly Gunning, during a recent celebration for graduates of our Mental Health Court. Her words stopped me because they capture something we all long for—the opportunity to become the fullest version of ourselves.
Each year we celebrate individuals who have completed our Mental Health Court program, an intensive journey that takes a year or more. Instead of letting mental illness and addiction define their future, these graduates did the difficult work of rebuilding their lives. They accepted responsibility, persevered through setbacks, and reclaimed their place as contributing members of our community.
The ceremony is always inspiring. Community leaders including our Mayor, Supreme Court Justice, Senator, Judges, City Council members community service providers, family and friends gather to honor their achievement. I realized the grads were potent, more alive by discovering and claiming their potential.
Here are some thoughts on what it takes to be more potent.
BUILD ON YOUR STRENGTHS
Instead of focusing on weaknesses, recognize that you have untapped potential waiting to be expressed. That is our focus with our court participants, and it works. They each developed gifts, strengths, and purpose that are uniquely theirs. One grad did a fabulous comedy routine, another read a profound poem written about her recovery journey. We can be more potent by developing our gifts.
BE AND DO YOUR BEST
For our graduates, progress came one small step at a time. It wasn’t about perfection, it was about doing better. Commit to doing that in your life by utilizing your talents and watch how you become more potent.
KEEP GROWING AND RECOGNIZE YOUR POWER
Potential isn’t something you arrive at, it is something you continue to develop throughout life. To be more potent means stepping into your power over time. You already have what it takes. Give yourself permission to live it. You can be a potent force for good – for yourself and others.
How fully are you living your potential? I’d love to help you explore that question.
Pictures:
1) Connie Milligan, LCSW speaking at the Fayette County Mental Health Court graduation, where she serves as Clinical Director, 2) The panel of speakers included Presiding District Court Judge, John Tackett speaking, L-R-Lexington Mayor, Linda Gorton, KY Supreme Court Justice, Pamela Goodwine, KY State Senator, Reginald Thomas, founders Connie Milligan, LCSW and NAMI Lexington Director of Advocacy and Policy, Kelly Gunning 3) The Mental Health Court Graduation panel and some of our court graduates and participants.
