How many times have you heard this line? "All available operators are busy helping other customers. We will be with you as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience". Patience? Thirty minutes later, I am still hearing a computer-generated female, calmly thanking me for my patience. LADY, I am here to tell you that the … Continue reading We Appreciate Your Patience
Good With Color
Growing up a middle child and the only girl (until I was almost 13 and my darling sister was born) I developed a competitive streak with my two brothers. I felt like I had to try harder, do better and achieve more than they did. To be fair, that was not pushed on to me … Continue reading Good With Color
The Hazard Button
This past week, has been extremely stressful. I struggled under the burden of family illnesses, the declining health of beloved pets and a work week that demanded even more of me than normal. Suffice it to say, I was looking forward to this weekend! Nay! I needed this weekend! However, because I had to leave … Continue reading The Hazard Button
Empathy and Judgement: Bitter Enemies
What is empathy? Is it an inborn trait like personality? Or is it developed through a child's formative years. Can it be taught? Those are the questions I have been researching for the past month. Context? I wanted to find out why some social workers achieve better outcomes than others with families in crisis. In … Continue reading Empathy and Judgement: Bitter Enemies
The Monster Under the Bed
Warning: This is a tough topic to read about, especially if you have experienced unresolved sexual abuse in the past. I do not want you to experience any triggers or additional trauma. Angela In January, I started a series focused on the sexual exploitation of children. First I touched on protecting your children from "stranger … Continue reading The Monster Under the Bed
What’s Good for the Team?
As the middle child, I was sandwiched between my older brother (who was 2 years my elder) and my younger brother, also separated by two years. In theory, I wanted to be that lacy-dressed, Mary-Jane wearing Honey Bunch. I did want to be a princess (in my head). But seriously, there was no hope of … Continue reading What’s Good for the Team?
The Hypocrite
Here I am again: this is me...the Pot calling out the Kettle. Last week I wrote about loving yourself; accepting yourself; making time for the things that bring you joy. I write those things because self-care is such an important concept for those in the helping profession. Without it, we crash and burn. We leave … Continue reading The Hypocrite
Dangerous Opportunity
When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity. John F. Kennedy. We all face crisis: in our career, in our personal life, in relationships. Crisis can seem debilitating at times. And for some, it is. In the throngs of crisis, we experience those … Continue reading Dangerous Opportunity
A Leap of Faith from the Lion’s Head
Geek Alert! As you may know from reading some of my posts, I am a huge action-adventure movie fan. I mean, I eagerly watched every Avengers movie and each of the side movies for the sub-plots. I adored the Jurassic Park series (always pulling for the T-Rex). And, of course, the many cinematic adventures of … Continue reading A Leap of Faith from the Lion’s Head
When the Bough Breaks
Remember the song? Rock a Bye Baby In the Tree Top When the Wind Blows The Cradle Will Rock. When the Bough Breaks The Cradle Will Fall And Down Will Come Baby Cradle and All. Those lyrics are really morbid if you dwell on them. A child perched high in a mighty tree but upon … Continue reading When the Bough Breaks
Water for Camels 