Empowering Others Through Resilience: Serah Muiruri’s Dedication to Success
Serah Muiruri has worn many hats in her 12 years at Nonotuck: Care Manager, Clinician, Life Coach, PhD Candidate, Shared Living Caregiver, and—most recently—published author. Serah, a Clinician in our Harvard and Auburn offices, was one of several contributors to the 2020 book Limitless Success with Serah W. Muiruri.
Each chapter of the book is written by a different contributor, who shares their own definition of success. For Serah, the project combines her two biggest passions: writing and helping others. “To me, success is about impacting others in a variety of ways and giving back to those who might struggle to be successful in certain areas, on many different levels,” she says. “If I can uplift someone or offer motivation, that’s success.”
In her book, the reader is invited to embark on a journey of self-discovery when surrounded by adversity, as this sets a beautiful stage for living a more fulfilled life. Serah reminds us to choose wisely, as the choices we make may have long-lasting effects.
In addition to Limitless Success, Serah will be publishing a second book, Empowered by Resilience: A Path to Unstoppable Growth, expected to be out by January 2025. She says the new book is the “Ultimate Resilient Blueprint” offering actionable steps for overcoming challenges. “I wanted this book to talk about ‘everything’ resilience, from definition, its attached power and impact, as well as the journey it entails,” she says. “I hope to share practical strategies, including some from the clinical world, to help people move forward.”
Serah says Empowered by Resilience will take readers through a journey of transformation. Modifying our thought patterns often leads to lasting change. According to Serah, “Strength does not come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming things that you once thought you couldn’t. Navigating through turbulence isn’t ignoring the challenges or bypassing struggle; it’s about recognizing the storm as part of our growth. Resilience teaches us that sometimes the most significant growth happens when we trust the journey even when we can’t see the path clearly. Developing trust allows us to stay grounded in the present moment, enabling us to respond calmly and thoughtfully to whatever comes our way.”
Serah was born in Kenya and emigrated to the U.S. for school in August 1992. The challenge of assimilating into a different culture—as well as being the first member of her family to leave for the U.S.—was part of her inspiration to devote her life to helping others. “It was an enlightening experience through the challenges of adapting to a new culture and country. That was a success, as I’ve been able to impact others, including my family and community, to achieve their goals. Being in the U.S. allows me to support people in Africa more easily than if I were back home,” she says. Serah’s intrinsic drive to see others succeed has influenced her attraction to serving others on various levels, both personally and professionally. Serah is well connected to her community, and her passion drives her purpose in life. “Once you find your purpose, strive to execute at an optimal level,” says Serah.
A resident of Webster, Serah has lived with a woman named Jen in a shared living arrangement for the past 18 years. What began as a two-week temporary situation blossomed into a long-term relationship where the two have traveled extensively and shared their lives with one another, including both of their respective extended families.
As if all of this weren’t enough, Serah is on track to complete her PhD in Behavioral Health next year. “Nonotuck’s support has been invaluable throughout this journey,” she says. Serah states that the agency’s values remain compatible with both her personal and professional values. “Compassion and humility are consistent with the life I live. An appreciation of vulnerability must be a pillar of opportunity, as it is in this state that optimal growth is attained.”
“At Nonotuck, we emphasize celebrating successes alongside tackling challenges,” she says. “I often remind the teams I am incredibly blessed and honored to work with that it’s important to acknowledge both. As clinicians, every day, we work to solve issues, celebrate small victories, and provide tools for programs, care managers, and caregivers to do their best.”
Serah is a proponent of self-awareness, which she defines as “the ability to observe our feelings and reactions without judgment.” She invites teams to regularly check in with themselves, as that is a great way of gaining insight into how we respond to stress, which then allows us to make conscious choices about how we move forward. “A resilient mind is flexible and rarely resists change,” she says. This approach helps us stay open to new paths, possibilities, and solutions, ultimately reducing anxiety that can come from wanting things to remain the same. “In the waves of change, we find our true direction,” says Serah.
In her tenure of service at Nonotuck, Serah states that she has come across many complexities and challenges, but what gets her through the most difficult of days is the people. She reminds us that everyone crossing our path is there to fulfill a purpose, and many times, that “purpose” is not obvious or apparent. Serah concludes by stating, “The people we serve are the reason I stay inspired.”
