Be a VISIONARY! When I was a little girl, I was the middle child: the only girl between two boys. Thus my life of competition began. Early career visions for myself included cowboy and super hero, not princess or damsel in distress. Much to the chagrin of my older brother, Greg, I was pretty tough … Continue reading Visionary
POWERFUL
Dear Social Worker You are Powerful. Never forget it. There is Power in so many aspects of your life. You have a college education when many do not. That is Power. You have a career that earns you a salary, when many do not. That is Power. You are trained to see beyond the … Continue reading POWERFUL
Replenish your Bucket
There is an activity used in training that teaches a lesson in self care. In this activity, you are handed a bucket of water. Other people are identified in the activity: your partner, your boss, your children, your aging parents, your friends, your foster children, your co-workers, your clients, your trainer and so on. As … Continue reading Replenish your Bucket
Be The Change
Institutional Culture is a term batted around by leadership and systems experts. The widely held belief that organizational change begins from the top down is indisputable. I concur that if the CEO does not share the passion for the mission, that lack of passion will trickle down to the staff. But let's not discount the … Continue reading Be The Change
When Storm Clouds Gather
I took this picture from my office one day as I watched a rather nasty storm approach. Severe weather has triggered a nervous reaction in me since the day my family and I were awakened early one morning to the sound of a tornado approaching our house. The house suffered major damage, but we did … Continue reading When Storm Clouds Gather
Hate is a Cancer
"Hate is a cancer, slowly killing everything it touches. Hate is the product of fear and an inability to apply reason to maladaptive beliefs. Hate is the culmination of rhetoric spewed by dangerous people on the lost and gullible. And we, who see hate for what it is, cannot be silent." Angela McClintock 8.13.17. … Continue reading Hate is a Cancer
The Best Medicine
I met Brenda (Not her real name) on her first day with the agency. She was on fire to make a difference in the world through her role as a social worker. I remember that her energy was contagious and her drive to do good was solid. My first thought on meeting her was "this … Continue reading The Best Medicine
This Little Light of Mine
Being a Social Worker sometimes means dealing with a darkness that many people will never see. And those people are happier for it. I have had friends and associates tell me multiple times that they don't want to think about the things social workers address every day. I understand. So, why do social workers choose … Continue reading This Little Light of Mine
Where You Sit on the Boat
When I think about how much, as a social worker, I must accomplish in a day, a week, or a month just to stay above water, the enormity of each task can be daunting. Even when I was a field worker, there were always deadlines looming. There were families to be seen; hearings to attend; … Continue reading Where You Sit on the Boat
Watering the Camels
Who are the Modern Day Heroes? They are the ones who willingly take on the trauma of others in order to help those individuals transcend their current situation. These heroes are the Social Workers, Therapists and other service professionals who do not get praise or recognition for their acts of service. They are not publically … Continue reading Watering the Camels
Water for Camels 