I sat in the mail room this morning while I was working on compiling chore hours for our guests and talking with our visiting nurse, Tina about addiction and substance abuse. Tina's approach to working with individuals battling substance abuse is that you never give up on them "even if you're hitting your head against the wall 12-14 times, you just don't give up". A lot of people look at HHC and wonder how our staff deals with this day after day after day, seeing some people relapse time after time, and a small number going into a steady recovery. I've only been here for 9 months, so I can't answer those questions on how staff does it, but I can only assume that it's because they share Tina's view. When a kid is learning to walk and he falls the first time he tries to stand on his own, a parent doesn't say "oh well, you're never going to walk, good luck."
Tina believes that you never know which day you're going to repeat the same things you've been repeating for months and really get through. One cannot begin recovery if they don't want it for themselves first. They have to be their ultimate motivator, but how could someone dig deep and find a belief in themselves if those that are meant to support them don't have faith in them? I am consistently impressed with the persistence and hope that HHC staff instills and radiates with our guests on every single step they take in a process of recovery. Sure there is some aggravation, impatience, disappointment, but it never leads them to stop trying. I guess what I'm trying to say is that our staff is just...they're really good at loving. They love well and equally, they love selflessly. Our anger tanks all fill up and top off, but there is always a love that is backed by the belief that our guests can and will do well.
Gabi sent me an article this morning from the Huffington Post titled "Homeless Woman Recovers, Rises from Addiction, Prostitution," I'll link it here. It's just an example (an incredible one) that where there's a will, there's a way. Sorry to cut this short, I'll come back to it but Mondays are unpredictable and when duty calls you answer.
-Jackie
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Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Using Social Media to Promote Social Media...
I figure the best way to reach out to the community is to address the 17 followers of this blog first and all you anonymous posters out there (don't worry, I know who you are.) As most of you who actively use Facebook know, it is constantly changing, upgrading, improving etc. etc. Recently, moderators of pages were notified that the "timeline" will automatically go into effect on March 30th, so I changed it early in hopes that by the 30th I will know how to use it. In this process I also created a page for Homeward Bound Treasures Thrift Store, the store in downtown New London that's proceeds support NLHHC programming (Homeward Bound Facebook Page). We would appreciate it greatly if you would "like" the new page and spread the word about the store!
Personally, I love thrift stores. Up in Burlington, VT we used to go to Recycle North which was very similar to Homeward Bound, only it was in a warehouse. Thrifting is typically beneficial in many ways and extremely logical economically and environmentally.
First of all, you can rest assured that the money you spend at Homeward Bound is going to a good cause. The proceeds help NLHHC fund the following: housing deposits, transportation to reunite guests with family, laundry vouchers, bus tickets to get to work, birth certificates and ID's (which help secure employment and housing), starter kits for guests who get housing, gas to transport guests to important doctor's appointments, case management, and meetings with land lords, and so much more. By shopping at Homeward Bound, you are actually helping our guests take their next step out of homeless in a major way (which is also beneficial to those of you who want to help but are shy and prefer not to volunteer in the shelter itself).
Next, it's environmentally friendly! Donating your gently used furniture and dish wares is recycling, and it's a guarantee that the next person to pick up the items will be grateful for your generosity. Instead of tossing that slightly faded futon into the stream of waste, why not call us (860 444 8800) to come pick it up and resell it? You can write it off on your taxes too. If you have something smaller to donate, for example over the years your reasonably sized coffee mug collection has grown to the size of Alaska and you need to get rid of some but feel guilty throwing them away, you can bring them in to us and shop around while you're there. I promise you that even the most absurd mugs that you think no one will ever buy will be treasures to someone (I bought a mug with the name "Pete" on it and a glass that says "I had a whale of a time at Alex's Bar Mitzvah, Mystic Aquarium 1998").
Did you get a Vitamix for Christmas and you're not sure what to do with that blender that does the trick but doesn't quite nix the seeds? We'll take it. You got a toaster oven and realized you don't need a regular toaster anymore? We'll take it. Your toddler outgrew their bed and you need a new one? Bring us the old bed and check out our selection of frames and mattresses (we have a lot!).
Lastly, it's fun! There are so many trinkets and treasures and our inventory is constantly changing and growing. If you've recently moved to the area and are looking to make your house feel like home, we'd love to help you with that. College students love that they can find a lamp for $5 or $10 to decorate their room and create a home away from home. Mugs, artwork, side tables, chairs, mirrors, I'm sure you'll find something you like and you'll keep coming back. Our staff is cheery and helpful, delivery is prompt and flexible, and our frequently changing inventory will keep you interested.
Am I convincing you? Come in to Homeward Bound Treasures Thrift Store on 35 Golden St in New London Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-6pm, we can't wait to see you! Oh...and don't forget to "like" our Facebook page!
-Jackie
Personally, I love thrift stores. Up in Burlington, VT we used to go to Recycle North which was very similar to Homeward Bound, only it was in a warehouse. Thrifting is typically beneficial in many ways and extremely logical economically and environmentally.
First of all, you can rest assured that the money you spend at Homeward Bound is going to a good cause. The proceeds help NLHHC fund the following: housing deposits, transportation to reunite guests with family, laundry vouchers, bus tickets to get to work, birth certificates and ID's (which help secure employment and housing), starter kits for guests who get housing, gas to transport guests to important doctor's appointments, case management, and meetings with land lords, and so much more. By shopping at Homeward Bound, you are actually helping our guests take their next step out of homeless in a major way (which is also beneficial to those of you who want to help but are shy and prefer not to volunteer in the shelter itself).
Next, it's environmentally friendly! Donating your gently used furniture and dish wares is recycling, and it's a guarantee that the next person to pick up the items will be grateful for your generosity. Instead of tossing that slightly faded futon into the stream of waste, why not call us (860 444 8800) to come pick it up and resell it? You can write it off on your taxes too. If you have something smaller to donate, for example over the years your reasonably sized coffee mug collection has grown to the size of Alaska and you need to get rid of some but feel guilty throwing them away, you can bring them in to us and shop around while you're there. I promise you that even the most absurd mugs that you think no one will ever buy will be treasures to someone (I bought a mug with the name "Pete" on it and a glass that says "I had a whale of a time at Alex's Bar Mitzvah, Mystic Aquarium 1998").
Did you get a Vitamix for Christmas and you're not sure what to do with that blender that does the trick but doesn't quite nix the seeds? We'll take it. You got a toaster oven and realized you don't need a regular toaster anymore? We'll take it. Your toddler outgrew their bed and you need a new one? Bring us the old bed and check out our selection of frames and mattresses (we have a lot!).
Lastly, it's fun! There are so many trinkets and treasures and our inventory is constantly changing and growing. If you've recently moved to the area and are looking to make your house feel like home, we'd love to help you with that. College students love that they can find a lamp for $5 or $10 to decorate their room and create a home away from home. Mugs, artwork, side tables, chairs, mirrors, I'm sure you'll find something you like and you'll keep coming back. Our staff is cheery and helpful, delivery is prompt and flexible, and our frequently changing inventory will keep you interested.
Am I convincing you? Come in to Homeward Bound Treasures Thrift Store on 35 Golden St in New London Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-6pm, we can't wait to see you! Oh...and don't forget to "like" our Facebook page!
-Jackie
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunscreen...
First step: watch this video. I cannot think of anything that better highlights the emphasis of focusing on the good things in life. So often we get jaded by the times that things go wrong and we don't even remember the parts of a situation that worked in our favor. Yes, we have all been dealt a bad hand before, but we've all been dealt a few good hands too. I might be writing this to mostly to motivate myself since I feel that 2pm crash but it's not 2pm yet and I've felt it since 9:30 am, but if by chance you can get something out of it, I'm satisfied.
Next, pick a part of the song that you relate most closely to. Whether it's something that you know or that reassures you (for me, it's "the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives...") or something that you know you don't do enough ("remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.") Positivity and negativity are both individually contagious and as much as you can be effected by the mood and energy of another person, you can effect the mood and energy of others.
Sometimes you have to remind yourself that your life is actually beautiful to be able to appreciate the world. I get so sucked into routines and the fallout of routine and structure that I miss some of the most wonderful things in my life, being the people who surround me daily. So, although I am crashing right now, it's comforting to think of the people in my life who I care about so much. It's like curling up in a cozy blanket fresh out of the dryer and a memory foam pillow with dim lights, herbal tea, and a good movie. Can you tell what I want to be doing right now?
Sorry this is so random. So random.
-Jackie
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Random updates and theme of the week...
Happy Saturday! Why am I blogging on a Saturday? Answer: it is 10:00 am and I am already well over caffeinated but I haven't yet convinced myself fully that it is a beautiful day for a run to the beach. SO...that's where you come in, welcome to the weekend.
I have been spending the majority of my time over this past week working with the Connecticut College students from the Holleran Center in the PICA certification program (learn more here!) who are organizing our 5th Annual Walk for the Homeless and I am completely blown away by how motivated and enthusiastic they are. As a recent college grad myself, I like to think that all college students are this way, but these "kids" (I'm what...3 years older than them?) are unbelievable. They created their own time line and deadlines, and they have met every single one of them EARLY, then they'll send me the final product (registration forms, fliers, letters...) and ask for suggestions. Any time I've sent back suggestions they update it immediately, and perfectly. I am beyond excited to get a text from them on 11:30 pm on a Wednesday night making sure they are all set for Thursday, to me that means that they're enthusiastic. Personally, at 11:30 pm on a Wednesday the last thing I want to think about are my responsibilities for the next day, kudos to them.
Each one of the students is serving 10 hours with us during the semester to better understand what we do, how we do it, who we work with, and all that jazz. Turns out, they're not only fabulous students, but open minded, driven, outgoing volunteers as well. They've played checkers and backgammon with our guests, helped out at the front desk, helped Sha at Homeward Bound (literally ALL DAY yesterday), a group of them are bringing food to the shelter tonight, another group is doing that next week (maybe the week after), they're coming in for a maintenance day...they are just completely immersing themselves into this experience and I am so impressed.
By the end of my term you'll read plenty more bragging about these students, guaranteed...and if you are someone who I speak with daily, I apologize because you're hearing about it everyday for the next 4 months.
There was a quote I was searching for months and months ago that I wanted to put in a blog post but I couldn't find it, and recently I was flipping through my favorite coffee table book and I FOUND IT!! (I'll have to say that it is the universe conspiring in my favor...as has been a theme in our office this week). I sincerely do apologize if you take offense or are uncomfortable with the addition of "God" but take this quote for what it means; "God calls you to the place were your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." -Frederick Buechner.
How incredibly beautiful. To think that your joy, and acting on what brings you joy, can feed the needs of the world. How many times have you thought that you weren't making a difference or that you can't change anything on your own? I'm hoping it's human to feel that way fairly often...because I do. I was talking with another staff member the other day and he expressed that the one thing that keeps him from burning out in this job is being able to joke around with and connect with our guests. It's so true. Actually coordinating volunteers takes about half of my week, because you guys are amazing and working with you is a joy and a pleasure and an honor, but that leaves half of my week to what? Walking around the Drop In, visiting on my off nights at the Overnight, doing bits and pieces of case work, and seeing what's going on with everyone. I had one day a few weeks ago where I kept joking that I was useless at work because I had done everything on my list and I was just hanging out at the Drop. A guest came in crying, she was so upset, so I brought her into the mail room and sat her down away from the crowd and the noise and asked her what happened. She had slipped on ice by the library, she had to work in an hour, she was afraid to walk down to the bus stop on the ice...that's stressful! So we just sat there, with ice and ibuprofen, and when she heard me say "I'm just useless today" she stopped and looked at me and said "No you are not, you helped me so much, I'm so glad you're here." I laughed to cover up the fact that I was totally about to cry, but those little reminders are essential to keeping you going. My deep joy is...well...it's undefined right now but I recognize some things that bring me that joy, and being there with and for our guests is right at the top of my list. So when it's confirmed that the joy I work towards is satisfying a need somewhere, anywhere in the world, I can't help but believe that the universe is in fact conspiring in my favor.
Did I ever think I would get to a point here that I would feel comfortable here? Absolutely not...I've always thought that as soon as things get comfortable it's time to leave, but at the end of June when my term is up I'm going to need a full industrial size box of tissues because I'm going to cry a river...or an ocean...or an estuary. Hey uh, next volunteer coordinator...can I maybe, only if it's okay with you of course...possibly stay on as a volunteer? Change is nice, but so is consistency.
-Jackie
I have been spending the majority of my time over this past week working with the Connecticut College students from the Holleran Center in the PICA certification program (learn more here!) who are organizing our 5th Annual Walk for the Homeless and I am completely blown away by how motivated and enthusiastic they are. As a recent college grad myself, I like to think that all college students are this way, but these "kids" (I'm what...3 years older than them?) are unbelievable. They created their own time line and deadlines, and they have met every single one of them EARLY, then they'll send me the final product (registration forms, fliers, letters...) and ask for suggestions. Any time I've sent back suggestions they update it immediately, and perfectly. I am beyond excited to get a text from them on 11:30 pm on a Wednesday night making sure they are all set for Thursday, to me that means that they're enthusiastic. Personally, at 11:30 pm on a Wednesday the last thing I want to think about are my responsibilities for the next day, kudos to them.
Each one of the students is serving 10 hours with us during the semester to better understand what we do, how we do it, who we work with, and all that jazz. Turns out, they're not only fabulous students, but open minded, driven, outgoing volunteers as well. They've played checkers and backgammon with our guests, helped out at the front desk, helped Sha at Homeward Bound (literally ALL DAY yesterday), a group of them are bringing food to the shelter tonight, another group is doing that next week (maybe the week after), they're coming in for a maintenance day...they are just completely immersing themselves into this experience and I am so impressed.
By the end of my term you'll read plenty more bragging about these students, guaranteed...and if you are someone who I speak with daily, I apologize because you're hearing about it everyday for the next 4 months.
There was a quote I was searching for months and months ago that I wanted to put in a blog post but I couldn't find it, and recently I was flipping through my favorite coffee table book and I FOUND IT!! (I'll have to say that it is the universe conspiring in my favor...as has been a theme in our office this week). I sincerely do apologize if you take offense or are uncomfortable with the addition of "God" but take this quote for what it means; "God calls you to the place were your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." -Frederick Buechner.
How incredibly beautiful. To think that your joy, and acting on what brings you joy, can feed the needs of the world. How many times have you thought that you weren't making a difference or that you can't change anything on your own? I'm hoping it's human to feel that way fairly often...because I do. I was talking with another staff member the other day and he expressed that the one thing that keeps him from burning out in this job is being able to joke around with and connect with our guests. It's so true. Actually coordinating volunteers takes about half of my week, because you guys are amazing and working with you is a joy and a pleasure and an honor, but that leaves half of my week to what? Walking around the Drop In, visiting on my off nights at the Overnight, doing bits and pieces of case work, and seeing what's going on with everyone. I had one day a few weeks ago where I kept joking that I was useless at work because I had done everything on my list and I was just hanging out at the Drop. A guest came in crying, she was so upset, so I brought her into the mail room and sat her down away from the crowd and the noise and asked her what happened. She had slipped on ice by the library, she had to work in an hour, she was afraid to walk down to the bus stop on the ice...that's stressful! So we just sat there, with ice and ibuprofen, and when she heard me say "I'm just useless today" she stopped and looked at me and said "No you are not, you helped me so much, I'm so glad you're here." I laughed to cover up the fact that I was totally about to cry, but those little reminders are essential to keeping you going. My deep joy is...well...it's undefined right now but I recognize some things that bring me that joy, and being there with and for our guests is right at the top of my list. So when it's confirmed that the joy I work towards is satisfying a need somewhere, anywhere in the world, I can't help but believe that the universe is in fact conspiring in my favor.
Did I ever think I would get to a point here that I would feel comfortable here? Absolutely not...I've always thought that as soon as things get comfortable it's time to leave, but at the end of June when my term is up I'm going to need a full industrial size box of tissues because I'm going to cry a river...or an ocean...or an estuary. Hey uh, next volunteer coordinator...can I maybe, only if it's okay with you of course...possibly stay on as a volunteer? Change is nice, but so is consistency.
-Jackie
Thursday, February 16, 2012
This is for you.
I am writing this to you personally and thoughtfully. If you were waiting for a sign to go for it, this is it. You are never going to get this day back, the memories you walk away with tonight are the memories that are solidified in the fossil of your soul. The moment you make the decision to be happy is the moment you will be free from the pressures outside your own heart, and the moment you decide to be honest with yourself is the moment you are liberated from regret.
You are loved and you are invaluable. Be patient, the world is working at this very instant to nurture the path you have laid out for yourself. You may not know what that path is yet, or you might but aren't ready to take the leap. Little steps will get you there, just as headlights guide you through your whole journey in the dark. Make your first step a proud one, and don't forget that it is possible and okay for your heart to be in more than one place. Passion is created by the collaboration of all your loves to find a balance with the best for yourself and the best for the world.
You are talented and you have more talents than you know that you have yet to discover. Self awareness is a process, not an event, and the process will continue for the rest of your life. Be glad for this process, it is an opportunity to define yourself for yourself. Everything you ask of life is given to you in the form of an opportunity to practice virtue. You ask for patience, you are handed delays. You ask for strength, you are handed breaking points. You are given an experience because you deserve to learn what changes are best for you.
Don't ever be afraid to walk away from something if you aren't fully happy. You don't have to stand ground because of fear, strength is walking away when what's on the other side brings you joy. Not happiness, but joy. Sometimes you might have to walk away from happiness to find that joy, but it will last in your heart for as long as you let it. Be where you feel most confident, be with who makes you feel like your best self, and:
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." -Henry David Thoreau
You are loved and you are invaluable. Be patient, the world is working at this very instant to nurture the path you have laid out for yourself. You may not know what that path is yet, or you might but aren't ready to take the leap. Little steps will get you there, just as headlights guide you through your whole journey in the dark. Make your first step a proud one, and don't forget that it is possible and okay for your heart to be in more than one place. Passion is created by the collaboration of all your loves to find a balance with the best for yourself and the best for the world.
You are talented and you have more talents than you know that you have yet to discover. Self awareness is a process, not an event, and the process will continue for the rest of your life. Be glad for this process, it is an opportunity to define yourself for yourself. Everything you ask of life is given to you in the form of an opportunity to practice virtue. You ask for patience, you are handed delays. You ask for strength, you are handed breaking points. You are given an experience because you deserve to learn what changes are best for you.
Don't ever be afraid to walk away from something if you aren't fully happy. You don't have to stand ground because of fear, strength is walking away when what's on the other side brings you joy. Not happiness, but joy. Sometimes you might have to walk away from happiness to find that joy, but it will last in your heart for as long as you let it. Be where you feel most confident, be with who makes you feel like your best self, and:
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." -Henry David Thoreau
Washington, D.C. Adventures...
Hey blog followers, I just got back to work today after spending 5 days in Washington, D.C. exploring
1. Observing the differences of obvious homelessness between NL and DC
2. Analyzing the ability and convenience of having social services centrally located and commonly known
3. The Corporation for National and Community Service headquarters
4. Being a Political Science nerd and obsessing over the Capital, Library of Congress, and the war memorials (Korea was my favorite) and monuments (FDR was my favorite)
So what did I bring back for you? Well, first of all, I noticed that throughout D.C. there were many homeless people sleeping on benches with blankets. They all had the same blankets, but I wondered why they weren't in some kind of drop in center, and what service provides these blankets and nothing more? I saw almost no panhandling, no one asking for money dropped into their old coffee cups, and it struck me as being completely different than any other city I've been to for those reasons. In New London, I see our guests (who I only know are homeless because I work at HHC) walking together down Bank St and State St everyday. In D.C. the only people I saw walking around were dressed in suits with briefcases and Burberry scarves. It was interesting to observe the difference in how each community conceals or makes known the issue of homelessness.
Next, in my meetings at the Corporation for National and Community Service I learned that New London is super progressive in the services they offer for: mental health, HIV/AIDS, health/dental/eye care that accepts Medicaid, women's health services, employment specialists, and informational seminars that assist with resume building and computer skills. If you ask any of our guests, I can almost guarantee you that they know exactly where they can find these services and how to get there. I think in a bigger city that lays it's focus on so many other things, it's difficult to get these services to really work together, but that did appear to be a missing link. Not only are all of these services available readily (and most within walking distance) in New London, but they link together with referrals and we are able, with the permission of our guests, to share information professionally to better serve them.
I'll touch briefly on the Corporation Headquarters...it was BEAUTIFUL, shockingly. I don't want to brag but I drank my coffee walking by the White House on my way there...no big deal. Some of the friendliest and most passionate people I've met, not just because of the work they do, but because of how integral this work is to their lives and personal missions. I learned the distinctions between the different branches under AmeriCorps, and was really interested in AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) because of the hands on work they do in so many different parts of the country for 10 month terms.
I won't bore you with my giddy love for everything American and governmental, but I'm on Cloud 9
after sitting in on the Senate Gallery, seeing the process of the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and strolling through what remains of Thomas Jefferson's library.
If I must leave you with one thing, let it be this (Shannon this is for you): E pluribus unum.
I hope you've all had a great week and continue to as it dwindles down and allows you a chance to breathe.
-Jackie
1. Observing the differences of obvious homelessness between NL and DC
2. Analyzing the ability and convenience of having social services centrally located and commonly known
3. The Corporation for National and Community Service headquarters
4. Being a Political Science nerd and obsessing over the Capital, Library of Congress, and the war memorials (Korea was my favorite) and monuments (FDR was my favorite)
So what did I bring back for you? Well, first of all, I noticed that throughout D.C. there were many homeless people sleeping on benches with blankets. They all had the same blankets, but I wondered why they weren't in some kind of drop in center, and what service provides these blankets and nothing more? I saw almost no panhandling, no one asking for money dropped into their old coffee cups, and it struck me as being completely different than any other city I've been to for those reasons. In New London, I see our guests (who I only know are homeless because I work at HHC) walking together down Bank St and State St everyday. In D.C. the only people I saw walking around were dressed in suits with briefcases and Burberry scarves. It was interesting to observe the difference in how each community conceals or makes known the issue of homelessness.
Next, in my meetings at the Corporation for National and Community Service I learned that New London is super progressive in the services they offer for: mental health, HIV/AIDS, health/dental/eye care that accepts Medicaid, women's health services, employment specialists, and informational seminars that assist with resume building and computer skills. If you ask any of our guests, I can almost guarantee you that they know exactly where they can find these services and how to get there. I think in a bigger city that lays it's focus on so many other things, it's difficult to get these services to really work together, but that did appear to be a missing link. Not only are all of these services available readily (and most within walking distance) in New London, but they link together with referrals and we are able, with the permission of our guests, to share information professionally to better serve them.
I'll touch briefly on the Corporation Headquarters...it was BEAUTIFUL, shockingly. I don't want to brag but I drank my coffee walking by the White House on my way there...no big deal. Some of the friendliest and most passionate people I've met, not just because of the work they do, but because of how integral this work is to their lives and personal missions. I learned the distinctions between the different branches under AmeriCorps, and was really interested in AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) because of the hands on work they do in so many different parts of the country for 10 month terms.
I won't bore you with my giddy love for everything American and governmental, but I'm on Cloud 9
after sitting in on the Senate Gallery, seeing the process of the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and strolling through what remains of Thomas Jefferson's library.
If I must leave you with one thing, let it be this (Shannon this is for you): E pluribus unum.
I hope you've all had a great week and continue to as it dwindles down and allows you a chance to breathe.
-Jackie
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
"Personal Legends"
I find that every time I get really into the book I'm reading (which is every time I pick up a book), I find that it strongly relates to every waking second of my life. I currently have about 20 pages left of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. In my last post, I used a quote from this author and that same day I picked up "The Alchemist", which is about a boy named Santiago who is a shepherd because he loves to travel, then one day he visits a fortune teller who says he will find treasure and he goes in search of his treasure among the Pyramids of Egypt. Along the way, Santiago meets many people that help guide him towards the treasure, including an alchemist. The alchemist is sought after because he is said to understand a universal language of the world, and to connect with the Soul of the World and Santiago feels that if he can speak the universal language, he will find his treasure faster. The lesson that I fell in love with in this book is that once you realize your Personal Legend (or your mission in this world), then the universe conspires with you to make it happen.
I've been thinking a lot lately about Personal Legends, you know, like what if you think you've recognized your Legend but what you recognized isn't really your Legend at all? So you spend your life trying to reach this goal that you have but it's not the right goal. Does the universe know what your Legend is before you do? If it does, does it conspire to help you recognize it? It just seems that people get steered into directions that they think are the right direction, but then they aren't happy. Does this make any sense?
It is clear in observation at the Hospitality Center that the Legend of many of our guests is to get a job and find steady housing. Recently, I've seen a guest get a job as a bartender and this week he is being housed...the universe has a plan for him, and as "The Alchemist" would put this, it is 'beginner's luck'. This is the universe beginning to conspire to make this ultimate plan happen. Our guests that are facing struggles with mental health and addictions are given services to help them cope and recover. I think that maybe they know that their Legend is possible with sobriety and counseling, and so all these services come together to help make that happen.
I just worry that we think we know what our mission is and we go for it, but it's wrong. I know that the Personal Legend refers to what you truly want to do, but then it all comes down to being honest with yourself. If you want to be a cop from the bottom of your heart but you're putting your efforts into becoming a lawyer because you think that's what you want, then the universe will not conspire as thoughtfully to make it happen.
My writing feels flighty today, I can't quite bring a focus to this post. I'll try again later.
-Jackie
I've been thinking a lot lately about Personal Legends, you know, like what if you think you've recognized your Legend but what you recognized isn't really your Legend at all? So you spend your life trying to reach this goal that you have but it's not the right goal. Does the universe know what your Legend is before you do? If it does, does it conspire to help you recognize it? It just seems that people get steered into directions that they think are the right direction, but then they aren't happy. Does this make any sense?
It is clear in observation at the Hospitality Center that the Legend of many of our guests is to get a job and find steady housing. Recently, I've seen a guest get a job as a bartender and this week he is being housed...the universe has a plan for him, and as "The Alchemist" would put this, it is 'beginner's luck'. This is the universe beginning to conspire to make this ultimate plan happen. Our guests that are facing struggles with mental health and addictions are given services to help them cope and recover. I think that maybe they know that their Legend is possible with sobriety and counseling, and so all these services come together to help make that happen.
I just worry that we think we know what our mission is and we go for it, but it's wrong. I know that the Personal Legend refers to what you truly want to do, but then it all comes down to being honest with yourself. If you want to be a cop from the bottom of your heart but you're putting your efforts into becoming a lawyer because you think that's what you want, then the universe will not conspire as thoughtfully to make it happen.
My writing feels flighty today, I can't quite bring a focus to this post. I'll try again later.
-Jackie
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