Member-only story
Jesus tells them, “Let’s go over here and sit a spell.”
on social work ethics, rest, and being present for miracles
On Friday, I had the opportunity to “present” to about 70 social workers in Georgia for a talk about the Ethical Mandate to Self-Care. I write “present”, because it was more like I had the chance to be present with them as we all talked about times when it was hard to take care of ourselves in the midst of a profession that puts other above self, so much so that it is explicitly stated in our ethical code.
It is right there: “Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest.”
So we all sat there, this bunch of social workers, and remembered times when we would skip lunch one more time, or stay late, or take that phone call which might be an emergency. We read through scenarios about professionals who were burning out, neglecting themselves, neglecting family. We were present with each other because one of the ways that we can all learn to care for ourselves is to find that community of others to talk with, to complain with, to share our joys and our sorrows.
And I keep coming back to the part about being present with because that is the piece that keeps standing out to me today as I write.
