-: The best part for me was knowing
that I was such a shy,
introverted person,
did not want to,
you know,
have this voice for myself.
And I've watched my confidence grow,
I've watched myself,
you know,
take on these challenges that I never would have,
you know,
even put as a possibility.
So that's been really rewarding.
That, I finally do get to speak for myself.
But I also get to speak for those who can't.
You know,
and that for me, that includes nature.
So it's been really awesome to see that change,
and now,
if I have to do an interview,
if I have to do a presentation,
I don't even think about it,
it's, yeah, this is what I do.
This is what I have to do,
and I'm gonna say what needs to be said.
The biggest challenge to this work
is probably how exhausting it can be.
Like I had said before,
it's something that I am emotionally connected with.
So,
when you are hit with a loss,
or a challenge,
it does take a toll on you quite a bit.
And you know that we're all volunteering,
we're all trying to do this
because it's what we believe in,
it's what we think is right
and it's what we feel is imperative and critical
to us surviving in this community
and allowing it to thrive.
So, it is very difficult to revive your energy
when you're feeling a little burnt out.
But, as challenging as it is,
it's equally rewarding.
So you have to just allow yourself those moments,
get through it,
and remind yourself this is why I'm doing it,
this is why it needs to be done,
and nobody else is gonna step in to do it.
So you have to do this.