Thanksgiving

This is certainly an American holiday like no other. But every day we should be thankful for the services we are able to provide and the great effort clients put in to improving their lives.

The Spiritual Side of Social Work

I consider it a gift and an honor to walk with others in their stressful life. I ask myself where does this gift come from? What events in my life molded me to be able to do this work? If this gift was not shaped only by my daily life experiences, then is my ability to walk with others from whom I know in my life to be my God and Creator?

In my preparations for each session, each situation, am I remembering including the spiritual side? If I ask the question, perhaps not at the depth that I should be.

It takes energy to do the work we do. I believe it important to use those aspects in our lives that will gives the needed energy to continue our work.

Where do you get your strength and energy for Social Work ? What are ways that you renew and ground yourself in order to serve and allow your unique power to "go out from you" on a daily basis?

The Profession & Disabilities

The profession of social work energizes me and passes on rewards from time to time. Not that I look for a reward. But it does bring a smile to my face when a client gets back on their feet.

I am a social worker with a passion. I care about the person or group that is in front of me. I put every skill I have on the front line to collaborate with the client in making life more tolerable or brighter.

I have searched high and low ways that I can remain on my feet and continue to offer words of support and hope. I am a social worker with two distinct disabilities, I am deaf and have Menieres Disease. With my physical limitations I use the tools I need to get the job done, cochlear implants, a cane, a wheel chair or assistive-listening devices, what ever it takes. I have learned to recognize my limitations, not be ashamed anymore and when I need to take a break from daily work. It is my responsibility and mine alone to remain healthy, abled and strong.

Book knowledge is critical, but physical limitations add a spin to your understanding of a client's ups and downs.
When a client shares "I have no energy to do anything", I certainly understand with every cell in my body. When a client tells me, "I am frustrated!" I understand with every cell in my body. When appropriate, I use self-disclosure of my trials and tribulations. Not with the purpose of taking focus away, but to let them know, there is a part of me with all its limitations, that can come a bit closer to understanding their plight.

In your profession, what limitations do you have that add light and understanding to your book knowledge ?

Our Financial Times

Many of us have lost our jobs, a home or both. Many of us have family and friends in very difficult situations. Many of us know agencies struggling to continue to serve those in need.

Here we stand, in the midst of the most difficult financial crisis in our country in decades. It is time to use our creative juices called courage, innovation, do things different, to share with others and any other idea that comes to you. We absolutely need to pull together and collaborate.

As the list of people in need multiplies, how will you reach out to family, friends, other agencies, neighbors and towns. These are times that will test us and really bring out the best of us as social workers. What creative actions have you participated in or have created along with others?

Impact!!

As social workers we go to school, learn all these news skills and tricks the trade. We seek to make an impact on the lives of others. In reality, it goes both ways.

As a social worker you will visit clients, you will have clients in your office, you will be working with clients in a field, behind bars or in the street. You will hear the wisdom from clients, their families and little by little, their lives, will begin to transform you and make an impact on the way you live and process life.

Social work is a daily powerful experience. Never underestimate your day. Never think that your work is routine, that everything will be the same as yesterday. There will be a tear, an outburst of anger or the beauty of poverty blended with efforts of joy and hope. The following day, you, the social worker, will be a transformed.

Social Work Courage

This field can be exciting. You just never know what is around the corner. It does require that your spirit be open, flexible and brave. We do run into situations that are unbearable for our clients. They come to us full of fear and paralyzed. It is our training and experience that needs to come forth to model courage, a stance that our clients have forgotten due to being overwhelmed or physically/emotionally hurt.

To practice standing up to the plate of courage is critical in our field. We deal with all kinds of issues such as family violence, human trafficking, drug trafficking and people seeking political asylum. These are no simple social issues. They are to be taken seriously and with great caution. Good training, collaboration and being a person of peace will help you get to where you need to go in the arena of social work.

The many things social work is about....

Good morning to the social work world.

Social work is about thinking about community issues to be resolved right before you go to bed. Social work is about knowing things will be a bit better tomorrow. Social work is about knowing that you are not alone working these problems out. Social work is about admiring the strengths of your clients. Social work is about knowing that every step you take with others, will lead to a better world.

Today is the first day of a wonderful month, Social Work Month. This is a month to look deep into who we are as professionals. This is a month to seek renewed energy for the journey. This is a month to look back and treasure those moments we were able to share those incredible triumphs with our clients.

I call each of us to stand during this month of March, speak about our profession, tell the world what we do. Let us stand proud and continue to make contributions to the profession and to all of society.

Happy celebrations!!

My first Social work reflection

After all these years, I have enjoyed social work thus far. I have enjoyed watching clients grow, learn, break through tough moments, regain footing or just being able to be assured, they are O.K.

So many faces of clients go through my mind today. The memories of them make me smile, hope and pray that they are doing well and continue to build life according to their need.

Social work is truly a dance. A dance through paperwork, a dance through high emotions and low moments. A dance through policies, rules and regulations. A dance through and with co-workers, supervisors and multiple other agencies that dance right along with you.

If I had to do it all over again, I think I would become...well....a social worker. :o)
Sr. Liza