As a social work student, one of the first things you learn is about burnout. As in, you are so into your job...until one day, you aren't. Your compassion is lacking in the way it was when you started out. You're tired.
I've seen a lot of that here, in a lot of different situations. I've had my share of grumpy days, but I really hope that in my social work career, and my personal life, that I never get to the point of burnout where I neglect to help someone who needs it, or do it in a half-hearted way.
After some consideration, I made a new goal: to love unconditionally.
It doesn't mean you have to neglect your own needs. For me, it means empathy--or, just putting a human face on the situation. Putting yourself in someones shoes for a moment.
For me, it will mean being making each clients day, at least I hope, a bit brighter somehow. Making jokes, talking with them, sneaking them little snacks when nobody's looking.
It will mean not picking an eye for an eye. I'm not particularly that way, but I'd like to be more forgiving and to stop keeping track of little things.
Maybe you're sick. Get ready for some homemade chicken noodle soup and my, sometimes unwelcome, obsessive offers to get you some dawas (medicine).
If an argument comes up, it won't stay up. I also don't consider myself a yelling crazy person when it comes to these--but I just hope to have them resolved quickly and with everyone involved feeling good about the situation.
I hope it'll mean a nice, home cooked meal instead of whatever is in the freezer/ 'fend for yourself night' as it is so affectionately called in my home.
This has been my little goal for the past week or so, and I hope to keep it going. It hasn't been 100% successful, and I've had some troubles loving unconditionally (which in the name of this goal, I shall not name), I'm going to try my hardest. It can only get easier with time (and makes me feel great, too.)
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