DO NO HARM

Unclear boundaries

I sometimes get bored whenever I get caught up in conversations about setting clear guidelines and goals, in an intervention project, or even about the roles of social workers in general. Clear structure is needed in order to be effective in the work you do, or so I've heard. 

But then the lack of boundaries is probably what makes social work unique from other professionals. We work within specific principles with clear values, but the boundaries that define how we actually help our clients can remain fluid. In that way, we can bring our clients to the hospital (if its in line with our intervention plan and assessment of the case, and our presence would help the process), conduct some level of psychotherapy with them and their families, and also advocate for their needs at the community or policy level. That fluidity allows help to be rendered at all levels. 

Maybe we should focus less on asking "is this what I should be doing?" and instead have the voice in our head saying "How can I contribute to the helping process?" My thinking is: If there is a need, we should go straight into addressing it, instead of hesitating whether or not that need is part of our job scope. 

But then, another thing I learnt is that we need to pick our battles to fight.

And more importantly, how to fight them. 

Can we pretend if..

 

Was listening to Eminem in the song Airplanes part 2 (Featuring B.O.B and Hayley Williams), and as usual was surprised at how the lyrics made me think:

"allright lets pretend Marshall Mathers never picked up a pen
lets pretend things would have been no different
pretend he procrastinated had no motivation
pretend he just made excuses that were so paper thin they could blow away with the wind
marshall you’re never gonna make it makes no sense to play the game there ain’t no way that you’ll win

pretend he just stayed outside all day and played with his friends
pretend he even had a friend to say was his friend
and it wasn’t time to move and schools were changing again
he wasn’t socially awkward and just strange as a kid
he had a father and his mother wasn’t crazy as sh-t
and he never dreamed he could rip stadiums and just lazy as sh-t
f-ck a talent show in a gymnasium ***** you won’t amount to sh-t quit daydreaming kid
you need to get your cranium checked you thinking like an alien it just ain’t realistic
now pretend they ain’t just make him angry with this sh-t and there was no one he could even aim when he’s pissed it
and his alarm went off to wake him off but he didn’t make it to the rap Olympics slept through his plane and he missed it
he’s gon’ have a hard time explaining to Hailey and Laney these food stamps and this WIC sh-t
cuz he never risked **** he hopes and he wished it but it didn’t fall in his lap so he ain’t even here
he pretends that…" - Eminem

 

Explicit words aside, I was reflecting on the part of his song where he commiserated on how he might not have made it if he had lived a "Normal" life. Life challenges were the factors that made him who he was, and made him the successful man he is today.

Which also makes me wonder: as Social Workers, parents, leaders, etc, are we too obsessed with creating a "safe" culture where we focus on protecting clients/children/colleagues from the various stressors that they may face. We create systems and purchase luxuries for our children so that they would live better lives than we experienced, protecting them from bullies, school work, etc. 

But perhaps it is such challenges that would make them stronger. The need to think of strategies and alternatives at the developmental key points in their lives, which would give them the necessary skills to face future challenges, and face adversity with courage. 

Then, as social workers, how can we empower our clients towards finding strengths in the face of difficulty.

So that they come out better from it. 

 

Why some beliefs might not be useful

 

Person I talked to (PITT): My knee has been extremely painful lately. Feels like a million needles sticking through it. The pain is throbbing. So I suspected something was not right. So I went to a healer.

Me: So what did the Doctor say?

PITT: Its not a doctor, a healer, a medicine man. A learned man who is gifted with the skills to see what others cannot see.

Me: You mean, like ghosts?

Tight Knit

I forgot what it was like to be working in a small close knit team. A small team is like a family where its parts symbiotically works and manages each other (of course they have to like each other in the first place). It feels really great when one can just focus on the work that needs to be done, and endeavour towards creating a like minded environment which would form the basis of a united organisation.

As we stumble upon this new territory, we slowly adapt and be more aware of the different bumps and crevices as our eyes accustom to the dark. 

 

I'm just rambling. 

Save me

 

Time and time again, I always get surprised and touched by stories of resilience and courage amidst adversity. Times like this keeps us grounded to the reason why we do what we do. We tend to forget our client's strengths, and their ability to overcome great obstacles whilst juggling multiple responsibilities and managing their stresses. 

And even more importantly, are the lessons they teach you: to appreciate what you have, and fight for what is right. I joined this profession to be a superhero, to save and touch lives.

But in actual fact, I was the one who needed saving.

And they are my superheros.