March 1: #DWCOverlookedGems

Video transcript:
Hi. I’m Doris Zelaya. I want to thank you for choosing me as one of the hidden gems. I truly feel honored, grateful, and humbled. 
I identify as a Mexican, El Salvadoran, Deaf, Woman. I work at Gallaudet University, at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). I work as a counselor providing students with mental and emotional health support.
I would like to share with all of you an important quote, “Be gentle with yourself. `` spelling gentle ``. This is very important because life, like today's national crisis that is happening, will throw different situations and incidents that will impact us, emotionally, yes.  We could feel depressed, anxious, angry, overwhelmed, sad, etc.. you name it. What I’ve noticed is that most of us will become frustrated for feeling the above negative feelings. “ I shouldn’t feel angry, I shouldn't feel depressed, I shouldn’t…..” We will try to fight those feelings which increase our anxious feelings because we want to avoid those feelings. Please don’t. Please be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to feel whatever feelings you have. Give yourself permission, yes. 
It is important to acknowledge that your feelings are there and that you feel this way, then ask yourself what do I do to be gentle? Go out for a walk, read a book, contact your friends, video chat, play puzzles, or draw. Do something, as long as you do not ignore or avoid your feelings. Be mindful of your feelings, it's okay, those feelings will get better while you are gentle with yourself. What makes you feel gentle? It's important to find your gentleness. Because your gentleness will help you take care of yourself and to keep going. Embrace yourself. Thank you again.