Thank You More Please!

by Daniel Jacob, MSW: Founder of Can You Hear Me?


Thank you more please!  This is what I tell myself when gratitude comes my way, often reminding myself that I must say it more... You see, when we stop and pause (as we often should) we can easily remind ourselves of all that we have, the every and any that can truly pick us up, while once again supporting our work in progress. This is exactly where my thoughts are as I recently had the opportunity to disconnect for several days, thank you more please!

Along with several of my brothers I ventured to Death Valley National Park to explore and breathe easy, while disconnecting from the attachment that consumes us all from time to time.  I had never been to the valley with death in its name or had any real knowledge of this land that I came to embrace.  As many do, the association to the desert is often; hot, dry, sand and factors that don't necessarily equate to comfort.  However, what I was exposed to was perfect weather, amazing landscapes and the kind of peace that permeates gratitude.  My experience may have been a little different as our group ventured off the grid (an hour off the main highway in the park) accessible only by vehicles equipped to make this kind of trek.  Therefore, the remoteness of our camp provided all of us with a welcome that you just can not always receive when you are in the midst of it, thank you more please!  For example, it was so so quiet and thus the senses were not negatively affected by the noise that one would receive being immersed into the kind of activity (and movement) received in the cities one resides within.  As I write I reflect on how fortunate that I am to have these kind of opportunities, with a support system that is and wants to be on the same page adding to their own individual works in progress, while helping me support my own.

Thank you more please!  As I have transitioned back into my reality this week there was an adjustment period.  After all being away from all devices and communication efforts, not to mention the contact with others, interchanging systems and all of the moving parts that can distract and persuade, I made sure of being mindful and aware.  This is something that we all must make time for, the opportunity to detach and disconnect.  It doesn't have to be a grand plan complicated by time and money. It can be as simple as the experience I had, or the one that YOU come up with that fits into your reality.  However, the most important factor here is- that you make the effort and do it!  When we choose to live the quality of life that fully supports our self-care and well-being we are able to move forward and toward a better day.  Here are some healthy habits to support this process, ones that can and will help you help yourself, thank you more please!

Until we meet again, may these words find you well with opportunity and gratitude on your side.  The life that you want to live is always influenced by the life you choose to live, the difference between the two is how you...



About Author

Daniel Jacob, MSW Email 
Founder of Can You Hear Me? External Field Instructor at University of Southern California School of Social Work MSW@USC. Daniel has a Masters in Social Work (Families and Children Practice/School Social Work). He is currently nearing the completion of the LCSW testing process.  
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Between Us...

by Daniel Jacob, MSW: Founder of Can You Hear Me?

Lately I have been thinking about how to further reach my target population, helping professionals in need of support. The spectrum is wide open from the seasoned burnout to the uncertain grad level intern, from the successful practitioner to the accomplished probation officer. The idea here is to bring effective support, instruction, resources and opportunities to those who serve, through the lens and experience of a social worker that has the tools to empathize, provide and support. To paraphrase Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries "our services are not for those who need them, they are for those who want them." Of course my support model (and target population) is not that of Homeboy Industries, but look with an objective lens at the similarities that all populations in need of support demonstrate, and a community (support model) that is available to help them help themselves. Similarities that include factors such as blame, resistance, avoidance, pride, shame and vulnerability, all of which affect one's inability to help themselves. So, as you can see, I am defining a model that is in place for many populations who need help. However, the significant difference here is that the population that I am targeting is the one that is professionally trained and educated to help others, Can You Hear Me?

I recently came across an article Are You Missing a Piece of Your Happiness? written by Bobbi Emel, MFT, a helping professional who shares her own experience with depression and ways she has been able to help herself. I was so pleased to see this professional share and bring awareness, hopefully allowing others in the helping profession to recognize that it is OK to need, want and get help. In the article she begins with saying "It’s a bit embarrassing to admit since I am a therapist, you know." That right there tells you a very common theme of how many in the profession interpret their predicament. It is very difficult for the professional to trust the process or another helping professional, this is vulnerability in its truest form. However, the only one who suffers is the one who does not recognize when it is time for support, there is no positive outcome waiting here...

There are many influencing factors that have brought me to Can You Hear Me? One in particular comes to mind, something that I have gravitated towards for many years now, and will continue to.  Every job or professional role that I have had (pre social work and beyond) I have always made myself available to support my colleagues in distress. I took pride in recognizing when they were not themselves, stepping in to support them with a listening ear, keep your head up look, and validation that lets them know "I see you..."  I was never asked to take on this role, it's really just a part of my DNA born out of my own exposure and experience to suffering and challenge, while knowing what it feels like to be unheard with minimal to no support in sight.  It's a trait that is so primary in my practice as a social worker, one that has allowed me to see change at the individual and organizational level. Recognzing when the stress in those I cross paths with runs deeper than the stack of papers on the desk.  Unaware by most, easy enough to see by me.  I don't offer this information to convince or self-promote, only to showcase what resides within that is always in place, ready to give, only available when others are as well...

As always I welcome (and encourage) comments, feedback, and sharing. If you are just not there yet in this public forum, please feel free to email me and we can start our own dialogue, keeping it between us. I hope this post (and the intended meaning) finds you well, realizing that the life that is front of you, now matter how difficult it can be, it is the ultimate classroom as long as you can see it that way. Keep your head up and heart open!



About Author


Daniel Jacob, MSW Email 
Founder of Can You Hear Me? External Field Instructor at University of Southern California School of Social Work MSW@USC. Daniel has a Masters in Social Work (Families and Children Practice/School Social Work). He is currently nearing the completion of the LCSW testing process.  
More about the man behind the mission ⇢