Gaining New Perspective

teachkidsempathy

It has been a long time since I have posted.  Mostly because it has been a very busy season for me and my family. It would be hard to summarize the last six month of my life in a few sentences; but in a general sense we have seen sickness, trials, and setbacks, but also celebrations. milestones, and victories. Lots of ups and downs.  Maybe you can relate?

But in addition to all of this, in late spring I also gained a new title, Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). And in five to six years, after 4,500 hours of supervised work, I will become an Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

I know it sounds daunting. But I am taking the slow route, so I can have lots of time with my own kids along the way. 

Becoming and LPC is something I have always wanted to do, but the timing never seemed right, until now.  So, this summer, as a stepping stone, I began work as in-home counselor. I can honestly say, it is the most rewarding work I have ever done. Seeing the excitement in the little faces when I come to the door is priceless.  And meeting foster and adoptive parents who have sacrificed everything for the least of these, has been life changing.

As a part time school counselor, I have spent the last fourteen years of my life seeing things from the other side. I would see grumpy argumentative students constantly disrupting class and getting on the teacher’s last nerve. Or needy kids annoying their peers in an effort to make friends.   However, this new role, has given me new perspective and insights into how much home life effects school performance.  And it’s not just about the parenting. It’s sibling dynamics, parent work schedules, income, unresolved past trauma, you name it.  It all comes into play and they are carrying it with them into school.

While I had some idea of the impact all this made on children, my knowledge was limited and not experience based.  My new role, has allowed me to grow in empathy for these children, because I have seen first hand what their home lives are like.  Also, because of this work, I now have a clearer understanding of the children’s system of care, barriers to treatment, and the availability of community resources.

By being open to this career new path, I am a becoming a better school counselor. Not only that … but I am also becoming more passionate about my work.
I am also becoming a better mother. My work with these families has encouraged me in my gifting as a mentor, and also taught me some new skills that I am using with my own children.  And what has left the strongest impression on me, is realizing that as a parent I have an incredible opportunity to either build them up or tear them down.
You know, sometimes in life, I feel like, we become stagnate, and that stagnation leads to a decease in empathy for others.  When we have been doing the same thing for a period of time… It is easy for things to become a bit robotic… and unemotional.
The addition of this part time work, has ignited my fire again.  I am so grateful for the challenge and the growth I am experiencing.
So, in turn, I challenge you, that if you are feeling a bit stagnate with your life, consider doing something new.  Get out of your comfort zone. Just even slightly. Hopefully you will find, that while there is a learning curve; it is totally worth it.