There’s a snail’s pace to our morning, tracing a maze on the back of the Honey Bunches of Oats box, spies at the fog hanging like tinsel over the trees, and slow sips of a homemade two-shot espresso with steamed half and half in a red and green tree Christmas-mugged coffee.
And then, unexpectedly, it’s a swift transition: “Get in the car, we gotta go!” And we’re in the scene from the beginning of Home Alone, with “Holiday Flight” playing in the background, everything is now in fast forward, and everyone’s become a wind-up toy. It’s time to take Mom to work!
Fast forward to my ninth client of the day, and my head is spinning. Working back-to-back isn’t an issue as long as I eat. Today, the smoked trout, hard-boiled egg, almond Danish, cheese stick, and two clementines did the trick. However, what lingers is the injustice a teenager is facing at home. I offered my support, maintaining deep eye contact as I reassured them, “This is not your fault.” For now, that’s all I can do. Which doesn’t seem enough.
Next week, I’ll address my concerns with their caregiver and take it from there. Seeking guidance from my therapist friend, Reid, will also help in navigating the perhaps serious and deliberate next steps. It means the world to me that I have good friends who know their stuff.
In listening to my CEU course on Professional Resilience, there was an exercise I enjoyed, and I’d like to share it with you. It involves completing sentences. “My mission is _____.” “My purpose is _______.” Initially, I didn’t see its value, but at work today, I found myself pondering my answers, recognizing them in my speech, as well as providing an understanding as to why I am so determined to achieve the things I do in a day.
Ok, so if you’re interested go ahead and fill them in with the first word that comes to mind, and then go back later and put in more detail.
It is my mission to live __________.
It is my mission to continue __________.
It is my mission to be __________.
It is my mission to become__________.
It is my mission to believe__________.
It is my mission to promote__________.
It is my mission to strive __________.
It is my mission to seek __________.
Here are two of mine: My mission is to be a voice for those who don’t have one. It is my mission to continue to be as compassionate to myself as I can be.
Right now, compassion looks like ending this and taking a bath. A hot steam, candlelight-flickering bath in nothing but darkness.
See you tomorrow! Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 