Still

Dad and I went to the Clyfford Still museum today. I have to say, it was one of the most pleasant museum experiences I have ever had. It is a spacious building and it all tells a great story. The art evolves based on the places where the artist lived as well as the time period.

I couldn't help notice how I felt in that museum...the quiet hush of museum-goers, the statement the art makes without saying a word. I remembered just how much I love art because of that. I juxtapose that with the experience I have at my internship every day. The kids yelling, the women always needing this or that, the clients not always being on their best behavior. I rememembered how I need the stillness of a museum to calm my heart and soul, and make me ready to face another day of noise.

A different kind of Thanksgiving

This year, we went to Maggiano's for Thanksgiving dinner and played Denver Monopoly after. What a treat to not worry about dirty dishes, food prep for days, and feeling like a prisoner in the kitchen. Was it a dinner like Mom would make? Not exactly. But, was it fun and interesting to do something different and more relaxing? Definitely.

Grateful

A little bit of gratitude...my friends and family who love me despite my faults, the privilege to start a new career path by attending school, a roof over my head and food in the fridge, physical health to walk the 4 mile Turkey Trot, eyesight so I can read, the unconditional love of two furry friends, and a resolve to make dreams come true...

I am so grateful this Thanksgiving day and I wish you and yours a day full of blessings.

XO Mel

A perfect end to a new beginning

Classes are done. Finals are complete. The first quarter of Grad school is behind me. I reflect on my first Grad school experience and it was nothing like this. One class at a time, 8 weeks each, one paper due every week...totally different than "real" Grad school. The kind where you stay up until one in the morning...or pull all nighters. The kind where your brain hurts at the end of the day. The kind where you are in the trenches with people...together...only to come out in the end at least some what whole again.

This weekend is a perfect celebration. I had brunch with my internship colleagues at Devil's Food...a place that doesn't mess around when it comes to brunch. I saw Twilight: Breaking Dawn with friends to celebrate a birthday. And next I am off to watch Sting in concert. All of this packed into one day but it is the perfect end to my new beginning.

Social work school is hard. The work is hard, the concepts change my life, the internship tears at my heart. But in the end...it is worth it. I know it will be. Having that MSW behind my name will be a hard earned qualification.

The Art of Non-judgment

My first quarter in social work school wraps up in two weeks. I don't even want to think about what finals are going to look like...picture a very messy house, with two dogs looking pathetically about the room, all the while I am running around trying to write papers, answer essay questions and prepare presentations. As this is happening I am eating already prepared foods and drinking more coffee than water. The mantra during this time is November 22nd...it will be done.

What have I taken away from this quarter of social work school? That non-judgement is at the heart of every good social worker. As I have developed this understanding over the quarter, I become more interested as to why we as humans feel so compelled to judge other people? Social work has taught me some basic principle of being human: Social justice, self-determination, do least harm, dignity and worth of persons...These principles go against the human desire to judge one another. And why would person X think they know what is best for person Y? That is becoming more baffling to me every day. We are, after all, the experts on our own lives. I know what works in my life and what doesn't. Sure, maybe I make a mistake and do what doesn't work sometimes, but I am my own life coach.

We hide behind the notion that we interfere in others' lives because we "care too much" or "don't want to see another hurt" or "we know what is best." But the reality is we are all scared. Fear is what motivates us often times; not love. Because if love were the motivator the words "it should happen this way" wouldn't exist.

I am looking forward to what I learn in my second quarter...