Tashi delek, བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས།, Hello, Annyeonghaseyo, 안녕하세요, Bonjour, Tansi, Taanishi, Pryvit,
I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Donna Leggott, and I’m currently a practicum student with the Enhanced Learning Division at Aspire Too. This practicum is one of the last steps in completing my Master of Counselling Psychology program at Athabasca University. Those words above maybe you figured them out or maybe not but they are just a few different ways, languages to say hello. I think it is really nice to honour the ways in which we are all very unique.
I have a confession—I’m a little nervous. Now, don’t get me wrong, I know I’m a great counsellor. I’ve spent the last two years working as an addiction counsellor with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Before that, I was a teacher in a federal penitentiary, a teacher in young offender facility, a career counsellor and at the very beginning of my career I was an addiction counsellor at an inpatient treatment centre. When you push yourself to try something new, it’s natural to feel a bit uneasy. After all, stepping out of your comfort zone means, well… you’re out of your comfort zone!
Maybe you’ve been there too—telling yourself things like, “It’s going to be okay,” or “You’ve got this!” Those butterflies can actually be a good sign. They often mean you care, that you’re passionate, and that you want to succeed. I’ve put myself in those uncomfortable situations many times, and I’m sure you have too.
Most of the best experiences of my life have come from stepping into the unknown. While working on my education degree, I made the bold decision to move to South Korea to teach English for a year. At the time, I was balancing a full-time job, attending university, and raising my three children. Talk about needing to stay organized! But that experience taught me so much about what I’m capable of, and living in another country really opened my eyes to the world’s beauty and diversity. It also deepened my empathy for newcomers navigating the challenges of language barriers.
Yoga has been another way I’ve pushed myself to grow. For decades, it has been a significant part of my life. I’m a certified yoga teacher and have had the privilege of teaching at several gyms and studios in Saskatoon. It’s also been my reason to travel—to Italy, and to live in the Bahamas for a few months. Yoga teaches you so much about being present and embracing new experiences. Yoga teaches you to become aware of your body and your breath.
So why do we, as humans, tend to stick to what’s familiar? And how is it that something which once made us nervous eventually becomes second nature?
We have a biological tendency to stick to habitual behaviors because our brains are wired for efficiency. Our brains create habits to conserve energy by automating routine tasks, allowing us to focus on more complex challenges. This is primarily driven by the basal ganglia, a part of the brain involved in habit formation and motor control.
Despite these natural tendencies, humans also have the ability to change and adapt. Our brains are plastic, meaning they can form new connections and pathways, which is why stepping outside of our comfort zones while initially uncomfortable can lead to growth and new habits.
As humans we are a complex system of many interwoven parts: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.
My passion for personal and professional growth runs deep, and it’s led me to some really amazing places in life and it has led me to Aspire Too. What a fitting name. If you Aspire Too move out of your comfort zone or life has moved, you out of your comfort zone consider having someone to help you navigate the changes.
Thanks for listening, I am not nervous any longer. In fact, I am really excited to be Aspire Too. If you or someone you know maybe is a little nervous about something in life or needs someone to talk to. I would be honoured to be that person. I am at Aspire Too until April 2025 and offering counselling at a reduced rate. Please phone the front office at (306) 382-2391 for more information or to book in with me.
I live and work in Saskatoon, Sk. which is in the traditional territory of Treaty Six First Nations and the homeland of the Métis. Please join me in paying our respect to the First Nations, Métis, and Indigenous ancestors of this place.