Optimism

I sent out my licensure papers to my supervisor today...I must admit that I was rockin the professionalism in that envelope. Can't wait to get it back to learn some more. I also forced myself to get OUT of the house to go for a walk up to the grocery store and along the way I put a middle schooler in his place for being a hater to his friends. Nice.

In the time that I've been talking with different professionals in the field I seem to find 2 main types of people. The optimist and the pessimist. Unfortunately, there seems to be a gender difference in this as well. Men tend to be more pessimistic in the career hunt. Examples?
       + Does LPC even mean anything anymore?
       + Health care is great if you believe the earth is flat.
       + LPC is not marketable, you should do MSW.

Excellent. A new grad getting told that her profession is crap and there is no use trying. THANK YOU for the encouragement? Not so much. I like that people feel able to be candid with me, but that doesn't really help me to think that there's anything worth doing out here in the field. Will I be a JCP employee for life? Please, God, don't do that to me!

However, I have seen several women who are SO optimistic! It's amazing. The most amazing part is that these people are all doing the EXACT same thing. Some of the different people work at organizations that do the exact same job for the same pay and are having lots of clients seeking assistance. Let's hear from the ladies:
     + There is so much work to be done in the field!
     + The work to be done is so vast and you can do something different every year and still never do everything that's out there.
     + Mental health needs so much help...there's plenty of room for everybody who wants to work.

Whew! What a relief. I have to admit that I was uncertain of myself so much that I was considering trying to do case management (which I would do if it was not far driving and was offered....just saying. I'm not picky) Thankfully these women have been so great to speak with and always encouraging. Another interesting aspect is that each of these women made some mention of Jesus or God and blessings in their statements. Coincidence? I can't be sure. But there seems to be one thing that's true. God does play a part in people's outlooks and their ability to see the best in their future. I know this, but I never seem to know it enough. Self disclosure-- I've definitely come to times where I feel that I've lost my religion and I can't be sure of anything. I still feel that way about 60% of the time, but I'm coming to see that having faith doesn't always mean being 100% sure of everything you believe. After all, isn't it enough to have the faith of a mustard seed? From a mustard seed there is plenty of room for growth.

Maybe as a seed I am trying to grow into something else..I have no idea what a mustard seed turns into but maybe I can be an acorn.

oh..and i didn't sew today...