that new years post

It's a new year and in a way I feel obligated to write a new year's post. I've been debating it for the past few days as I realize I'm only doing it because I feel like I should and I try to avoid doing things for that reason. However, I'm bored, the yoga class was full before I got there, so not having that to fill up this hour with, here I am in front of my computer (or perhaps my computer is in front of me).

I'm not making any resolutions this year. I usually don't, but this year especially I don't feel that I have resolutions I want to make. I took a random online quiz thing I found on someone's blog (I'll post a link at the bottom) and it said the only resolution I need to make is to volunteer with people. I've got that one down already, so I'm not too worried, lol.

The truth is, rather then set goals and work towards them, or set unrealistic expectations for myself, I'd rather take a look at the way I live my life, and to that end there are some intentions I want to have in the new year. For example, I want to be intentional about living my life with a compassionate and merciful attitude. This isn't a measurable goal, but rather a way of living. I want to be intentional about living out my faith. I want to be intentional about treating people as people, no matter what their life circumstances. I want to be intentional about finding good things in life, in other people, and in myself. These are all things I do on a regular basis, I just want to pay more attention to doing them, and to the fact that I am doing them.

I suppose one thing I do want to do in the new year is take more time for self reflection and reflection on my work. I've been really missing practicum logs lately, and I think I need to do more blogging; writing is one of the ways I process best. Baring that, I really need to find someone I can talk social work with. I miss supervision and practicum seminar a lot. I miss going to school with a whole bunch of other social work students who I could bounce thoughts and ideas off of on a regular basis. It's also important for me to talk about some of the feelings that this work brings up in me, and to be intentional about having this conversations, not just when stuff randomly comes up. I'm a talker, even more then I am a writer, and it really is the best way to unburden myself.

And so that's my plan for 2009. No concrete goals, and I'm okay with that right now. When it comes time to set a goal for myself, I will but for now, I'm content to just let things be.

You Should Make 1 Resolution

Volunteer to Help Others

What Should You Resolve to Change Next Year?

eat your vegetables!

I don't write about it as much, but in addition to my work at the shelter, I'm also the summer ministry student at my church. What exactly this means, I'm not sure, but this week it means watching Veggie Tales. Veggie Tales are Christian kids cartoons with bible stories and life lessons told by talking vegetables. It's kind of hard to explain.

Because my church meets in a movie theatre, we thought it would be cool to do something movie oriented for kids this summer. So, we're having cartoons on the big screen, and I get to preview them all! That's a lot of veggie tales folks.

I'm amused by the fact that there is actually a lot of humor for grownups thrown into the videos. Very amused in fact. It makes things a lot less painful. Because, while veggie tales are fun and all, they're not exactly intellectually stimulating or all that funny if you're over the age of 12.

And now, off I go to watch another one, because this silly girl slept in till after noon today and is now WIDE AWAKE!

no one chooses to be homeless

Tonight was Street Ministry. It was a little interesting having seen a lot of people at work who I saw tonight and knowing that I'll see them again in the morning at work. I'm not used to that. Normally I just see them on Friday nights. We'll see how it works though. I really don't want to give up my volunteering because I'm working, even though I am working with a very similar population with lots of overlapping.

We had a group in tonight from a small farm town two hours away from the city. They were all over 18, but they were very Mennonite. It was interesting to watch them work, but especially interesting to hear them in debriefing. Some of them really bothered me; well, one man I guess. He was very accusing, that people had put themselves in these situations and just needed to find work and to get a job. He said he didn't want a response, and I think I'm glad, because while I wanted to challenge his thinking, I also wanted to stay calm. But really, I'm sorry, it's not quite as simple as people think it is. At the same time though, how would he know that?? I grew up doing this, this is my life, of course I know that, but we have had totally different life experiences. Who am I to judge his judgment.

What really really bothered me though, was something else he said. He had a conversation with a couple who smelled strongly of alcohol or solvent; he didn't specify which. At the end of the conversation the people said "God bless you". He couldn't believe that they were truly Christians and truly knew God, because of their substance use. He didn't believe that they knew what they were saying when they blessed him. And I don't agree... I don't agree at all. So many of the people I work with are Christians, just because they're homeless doesn't mean their faithless. Of course, that's not to say that all homeless people are Christians, I've just noticed that a lot of them are.

But, enough about that. I work at 7:30 and it's already 12:30 (or should I say 0030 as our 24 clock would dictate). I'm going to ride my bike in the morning which makes me quite excited. I'm so glad I have my bike out again!