Every week I write a column called BE YOU for one of the local papers (The Times of Acadiana) – Each week someone different answers the questionnaire – the paper often has to edit them,  so here are all the answers, unedited (the whole truth.) This week – Jennifer Mitchell Potier

Jennifer is the Community Relations Director at Emeritus Senior Living and always has that smile on her face (and it’s for real). I met Jennifer at a commercial shoot she was appearing in, and was completely won over by her professionalism, friendliness and of course, that smile. Who wouldn’t be? Brains and beauty are a dynamic combination.

What was your first job?
My first job was at The Limited Too in the Mall of Acadiana during my sophomore year of high school.

What advice would you give the younger you?
I would remind myself to slow down and enjoy my youth, and not rush through life.  Life is precious and you should live every day like it is your last.

What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
I honestly don’t think that one event has most shaped who I am, but I do feel that everything that has happened throughout my journey of life has helped shape who I am now.  My wedding day and the birth of my two sons have definitely been amongst the top of my list of things that have had a huge impact on my life and the person that I am today.

What do you most appreciate?
I am a very simple girl, and I always appreciate the little things in life.  That is what truly makes me happy.

What is your favorite journey?
My favorite journey in life is watching my two beautiful boys learn and grow every day.

Where is your favorite place to be alone?
Alone???  What’s that?!!  I rarely have alone time, but when I do, I really enjoy being on the beach and listening to the waves crashing ashore.  It is just so peaceful!  Also, when I am at home and have alone time, I enjoy sitting on my back patio and reading a good book!

What living figure most inspires you?
There have been a lot of people that have inspired me and that have been extremely influential in my life, but the most inspiring people to me, are my Mom, Paula Marcotte and my Dad, Matthew Mitchell.  My Mom inspires me to be the most wonderful mother and wife that I can be, and my Dad inspires me because he taught me that determination, hard work and dedication truly pay off, as long as you put your heart into everything that you do.  I am thankful for the phenomenal morals and values that they have both instilled in me from day one, which has truly shaped the person that I am today.

What was the best advice you were ever given?
Never make someone a priority in your life, when you are simply an option to them.

What is the best thing about where you live?
The best thing about where I live is the wonderful people and organizations within our community.  It is amazing how everyone comes together to make a difference.

How do you “let the good times roll” ?
I am a big family person and I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my family and friends.  I honestly have fun in everything that I do, and I especially love to be outside!

What did u want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a nurse because I knew that I would be helping people, until I realized that I could not stand the sight of blood, nor could I stand to see people in pain.

What is your motto?
“Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it.”

What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
I remind myself that everything happens for a reason, and to let go and let god.  I also like to say the Serenity prayer.

What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
Honesty, Integrity and Determination.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
It would probably be… I Love You.  I believe that when you love someone, you should tell them as often as possible that you love them because life is just so short and anything could happen at any time.

What do you collect?
I don’t really collect anything, but I do love jewelry…..I mean, what girl doesn’t?!

What food could you live on for a month?
Definitely Tsunami and Zeus.

Describe yourself in five words.
Compassionate, Generous, Happy, Loving and Fun!!

What is your favorite movie?
I actually have a few!  My favorite sappy movies are The Notebook and Titanic, and I also love Wedding Crashers and The Hangover because they are just plain hilarious!

What do you most regret?
I don’t believe in regrets.  I truly believe that you live and learn by your mistakes and experiences, as well as the different paths that you take in life.

What question do you wish I’d asked?
If I could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?

What would the answer be?
I would first like to meet Jesus, so that I could thank him in person for sacrificing his life for me, and I would also thank him for the many blessings that he had bestowed upon me, my friends and my family.
Secondly, I would love to meet my Grandad Mitchell, who unfortunately passed away two years before I was born.  I have heard some really incredible stories about him, and what an amazing man he was, and it often makes me sad that I never had the chance to meet him.