You guys! YOU GUYS! Oh my God!
You know that I’ve been all wound up deep into the “Making a Murderer” saga, right? And spending beaucoup time on Reddit reading all about it, right?
I knew that this fascination went beyond the documentary and Steven Avery but I didn’t know why or how. (I still don’t but it’s gotten clearer.)
Welp. Here’s the deal – the term “behavioral forensics” floated in front of me and as is my wont, I googled it. First result up: Behavioral Forensics Institute.
That looks interesting, I thought and proceeded to check it out. Apparently, it’s a online certification for (guess what?) behavioral forensics. I look at the courses and see this:
– Introduction to Psychopathology (Mechanics of the Criminal Mind)
– Recognizing Abnormal Psychology in Global Cultures
– Understanding Classified Psychological Autopsies
Oh dude! I. AM. SO. THERE!
Apparently, you have to apply and if you’re accepted, you’ll receive a grant to cover tuition costs because they are in the final phases of a pilot program. My Guides whisper “apply” and I’m all WHUT? Apply why? How does this even fit in with what I’m doing. “Apply” they said again and since I’m not one to ignore them, I did.
The next day, I decide to call them and see if they’re real. (If you know me, you know what a BFD it is for me to pick up the phone and actually speak to someone.)
No answer. AH HA! Scam!
Guides said “Try again”. (Dammit)
I call again and this time a gentleman answers. He’s very nice and responds at length to all my questions. He tells me that just 4% of those who apply get accepted. FOUR PERCENT, yo! I have no chance, I think. After more questions, he tells me that they make a decision on all applications received this week on Friday and I’ll know later that day either way.
Turns out “this nice gentleman” is the Executive Director of said institute and is, in fact, the person in charge of deciding who gets in. He happened to answer the phone when someone at the front desk went to the rest room.
Oh come on, Universe! How obvious can you be????
I still have no fucking idea what I’m doing or why. Like when my chubster ass did Crossfit for six months back in 2013, I’m just walking along with a blindfold and trusting.
So, yes. I got into the Behavioral Forensics Institute and am currently taking the certification for Forensic Technician. As long as I continue in the program, I can take all the certifications.
I feel like there’s some intersection between this and my intuitive skills but that’s all I’m getting at the moment.
Like I said, when my guides point me in a direction and the doors fly open so swiftly, I pay attention because bad shit tends to happen when I don’t.
Also too: #SekritBoyfriend and #OfficialHusband got to meet and it was lovely. More deets to follow.
I think this is just wonderful. And I don’t see why it has to line up with your professional life. I mean, it would be nice if it did, I suppose. But what’s wrong with learning for learning’s sake, for doing something you enjoy just because you love it?
Are you familiar with Doris Kearns Goodwin? She’s this awesome biographer who finds a new spin on oft-told tales (for example, in her hands the story of Abraham Lincoln became Team of Rivals). As a young woman she worked for LBJ. Then, later on, she did a biography of him. She told this sad, cautionary story about how, once he retired to his ranch, Johnson pretty much just waited to die. He’d been so focused on his career that his wife and daughters had become very independent and each moved in her own orbit. He had no hobbies, nothing that captured his imagination or touched his soul. So, Doris said, that’s why she nourishes her love of the Boston Red Sox. They are HERS. She follows her team and is passionate about her team whether she’s alone or in a crowd or with her husband or with her sons. Her team makes her happy if her books are on the best seller list or if they are in the 99¢ bin.
So why can’t this be that? Perhaps this is what you’re meant to do for you. Maybe it’s that thing that brings you the joy your life has been lacking. That’s no small thing, you know.
Or, I could be full of shit. ;)
Absolutely fascinating!