Tamara Hill

Neuroscientist because I loved learning about the brain and being able to connect human behavior to the operations of the brain. Neurology has always fascinated me but as I grew older, I realized I'd prefer working directly with people in need as opposed to working behind the scenes in research.

I don't believe in the term "happiness" per se because happiness is so fleeting. Joy, an internal, and long-standing feeling of contentment and peace, is something that has always made better sense to me. Happiness can be short-lived or dependent upon so many variables such as other people's moods, what is currently happening in your life or the world, or what is happening in the moment. When working with families who have experienced trauma, I explain that true joy is something that can heal the heart because it isn't short-lived.

I have met so many valuable people, movements, causes, and supporters of mental health awareness and child development. If Twitter did not exist, I would not have had the opportunity to speak with thousands of parents, families, teachers, bloggers, groups, etc. My most valued opportunities have come from Twitter.

The books I read, almost every 4wks throughout the year, often include subjects relating to my area of expertise which is childhood trauma, suicide, self-injurious behaviors, family dynamics, parent-teen conflict, severe mental illness, etc. The authors tend to vary. The author I am getting to know now is Neil D Brown, LCSW, Ending The parent-Teen Control Battle.

Include ALL children with the conviction that teachers fail children, children don't fail. We have to understand learning comes in many forms, not just one traditional form (i.e., intellectual). I've spoken with so many gifted kids who have been held back because they weren't "succeeding" according to the sometimes narrow standards to our educational system.

? I like Ghandi's message which is "my message is my life..." For me, this means that every single thing I do in my life represents a message to the world. That message may be - peace and love, acceptance, equality, etc.

The things I've received from people who I love and who love me. Even more, I do tend to treasure things received from my young clients (i.e., a picture, candy, or a hug from my 6-10yr old clients mean so much).

Study the sky and the constellations. I am fascinated by the phases of the moon, the uniqueness of the stars, and the changes in the sky throughout the year. I'd work for NASA.

Wisdom is everything. You can be smart, you can be successful, you can be rich. But wisdom surpasses it all. You need direction (i.e., wisdom) to guide what you have and what you do.