What are some of your passions and how are they manifested in your daily life?

I feel passionate about making others realize their internal and divine worth. That takes form in my every day life through being kind whenever and wherever I can and working and volunteering with causes I believe in. I also love to read, go to concerts, salsa dance, and travel. I find those activities to be extremely transformative and bring me to the present!

How did you discover your passion(s)?

I discovered a lot of my passions through my upbringing as an Army Brat (also known as an Army child- just the nickname we got for a reason I can't imagine!). We moved around the country quite a bit in my formative years. My father would bring back infinitely interesting tales from his military travels that inspired me and my creativity. Growing up as a military child, I also met many people with various life stories- all of them beautiful and unique. That taught me at a young age what a gift it is to learn and embrace diversity from all around us- we are both teacher and student to all we meet!

Who or what has motivated you to pursue your passion?

I have been so grateful for the beautiful influences to my passions. A few of the many influential people I have been divinely blessed to know have been my sister, who is a plant scientist actively pursuing ways to sustain our planet and all of its inhabitants, Professor Ocampo, who never let me off easy in Spanish class and encouraged me to pursue the language abroad, my college campus minister Beth Scanlon, who nurtured the seed of conscientiousness she saw inside of me to lead a life of service, and Padre Juan and Madre Miguel, the founders of the Working Boys Center, where I volunteered for two years.

Was there an event in your childhood or adolescence that changed your outlook on life?

When I was a teenager, I suffered from anorexia to the point where I was almost hospitalized. It was a very difficult period where I felt very isolated in my own battle with the mental illness. I remember calculating the calories in everything that I ate and drinking a gallon of water before getting weighed by my nutritionist twice a week so I would weigh a few pounds more than I actually did so they wouldn't hospitalize me for dropping below my lowest "allowable" weight.

I began to overcome my illness with the help of some extremely patient and kind support systems around me. That time in my life reminds me every day that it is absolutely critical that we try to approach everyone we encounter with the best we can be to them.

You've gone on a service trip Ecuador during your time at LMC. What did you do there and How has that experience impacted you?

I went on a 2 week Alternative Break Trip to El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador in Quito, Ecuador, my junior and senior year at LMC that turned into 2 years as a volunteer educator and 1 year (so far!) as a US Representative.

My time in Quito expanded my mind and heart in ways I didn't know were possible. The incredibly oppressed situations our families lived every day were real and so raw. Despite this, the hope, grace, and determination of the families we worked with is a true testament to the resilient human spirit and what everyone is capable of when given the opportunity.

I wrote a reflection of my time in Quito you can read here (http://www.c4wf.org/get-involved/volunteer/testimonials/) called 'Prophets of a Future Not Our Own,' inspired by Archbishop Oscar Romero's words.

In short, love is knowing all of the seeds you plant won't be sown by you. At times when I wondered and still wonder, 'Am I making a difference?' I remember this. We will not see all of the fruits of our labors.

What have you had to overcome within yourself to pursue your passions?

I had to overcome my fear of not being 'enough' to pursue my dreams. I think many of us encounter this fear or anxiety the surrounds the pursuit of we love- will I be smart enough? Am I determined enough? Will it work out if I leave x (less cool thing) for y (my dream)? The answer to all of that is a resounding YES. Yes. We are all enough. We are all divine. We are called upon by this world to do whatever makes our hearts come most alive. This is a practice I work on every day through affirmations and meditation.

As Marianne Williamson said, " It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us... when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same."

What are some inspirational works (literature, music, art, etc.) that you recommend people check out?

Literature- Lately I have been really into modern poetry. I have fallen in love with Warsine Shire, Rupi Kaur, and Nayyirah Waheed's works. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander were incredibly enlightening reads to me about mass incarceration in the United States that highlight racism and discrimination in our country. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is the book the inspired my spiritual transformation and is the book I keep giving as a gift over and over. My most recent read was The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Music- I listen to a lot of music in Spanish, and Bomba Estereo is my favorite band. Even if you don't understand the lyrics, the incredible beat has no language. ALSO- HAMILTON.

What advice do you have for people who are afraid to follow their dreams?

More than ever, we, the people of this planet, need you to pursue what makes you the most YOU. Quintessential, unapologetic, amazing you. Whatever makes you come alive is what the world needs, because when you come alive, you inspire, you make this world better and filled with love.

Why is it important to align yourself with your passions?

I think the more we can each listen to our passions and callings, the more kind, determined, and powerful we are in what we do. I have recently decided to quit my job, which I liked, but didn't feel called to, in favor of leading a life filled with more service. I'm still trying to fill in the blanks of exactly what that means, but I am looking forward to volunteering and aligning with non-profits that support social justice and equality.

There are so many amazing resources with the help of the word of mouth and the internet that can connect us to what makes us come alive. Ask friends and family if they have any ideas of organizations in need based on what you're interested in. Post on Facebook! Search for a local organization through United Way (http://www.unitedway.ca/how-we-help/find-your-uwc/). Volunteer Match (http://www.volunteermatch.org/) and Idealist (http://www.idealist.org/) are also great resources.

Lada: I don't exactly remember how I met Caitlin but I am so glad I did. She is a true inspiration and very passionate about her work. Running into her on campus as an undergrad was always a refreshing experience as she pushed me to do what I needed to do with my studies. Thank you so much Caitlin for being open and honest about your passions!

I snapped a flick while Caitlin was walking down the hill as student speaker for LMC graduation 2013 =)