Why, What, and Who?

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

Good day to all of those that can hear me!  As my fingers hit the keys I am well and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that feeling. Today, I want to share a little more about the Why, What, and Who behind this forum, otherwise known as the Can You Hear Me? blog.  I was contacted recently by an organization Social Justice Solutions (whose platform is for social workers to share with others, to write on issues that concern social workers personally and professionally, to focus on advocacy, social justice issues & the profession of social work) offering to further support my mission by interviewing the man behind the mission. The full interview has been completed and is currently going through a final review/edit before it will be live.  Stay tuned for this piece as I plan to share it on all of my support platforms. However, before this happens I wanted to take this opportunity to share a section that focused on the Why, What, and Who as another opportunity to reinforce the influence, motivation and inspiration that empowers me to share!

I was asked: Discuss your blog, Can you Hear Me? Why did you create it, What is the goal of the blog? Who do you hope to reach through the blog?
 
The Can You Hear Me? blog; words with a voice, a story and an opportunity to inspire others to change for the better!  This platform has given me such a great opportunity to express myself in ways that I truly hope are reaching and impacting those in need. The creation of this blog was at a time in my life when I was transitioning from a history and exposure that although taught me so much, greatly impacted me from a mental health and physical standpoint.  By having a forum to share the affects and effects of my own personal and professional challenges and struggles, I was helping myself as much as I hoped I was able to help others.  As a social worker who strives to be a work in progress, embracing any and all opportunities to better my quality of life, while continually adding to my personal and professional self, my hope is to share this with those in the field who are experiencing their own challenges and struggles.  Therefore, I see this forum as another opportunity to support those in need while helping them help themselves via vicarious learning.

My blog is a continual effort to empower, support, and instruct.  When I write it comes from within, and the motivation and inspiration that I use to engage this process is based on my own personal and professional history, one that has and will continue to be my greatest resource.

My hope is to reach anyone in the helping profession in need of support whether one is a recent graduate who is unsure of their own skill set to a seasoned veteran who somehow became apathetic and complacent and doesn’t even know where to start. My hope for those that are available to read this interview is that they will have a better understanding of this model of support, one that is influenced (and understood) by an experiential and empirical journey that is ongoing, Can You Hear Me?

Stay tuned for the complete interview coming soon!  Until we connect again may these words find you well as you move into another opportunity to help you help yourself.  Remember, it always seems impossible until it is done!



 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 ⇢

Who Is Superman?

by Daniel Jacob, MSW: Founder of Can You Hear Me?
 
 
The question came my way the other day, Who is Superman? The context came as a result of walking a path of invincibility, the only problem is that the outcome one usually wants to avoid was being reinforced in the process. Many of us are guilty of  striving (whether it's conscious or not) to get everything and anything on our plate done, checked off the list, completed, without realizing that we really need to slow down while being mindful of what is taking place. The root and cause of this mindset can come from various sources (historical, personality and perceived identity to name a few) that although we may be aware of as it is happening, can still hang around like a bad cold!

So, I ask you Who is Superman? At the cost of our own well-being, invincibility does not help us move forward in a healthy and productive manner. You may be thinking, this internal motivator does get things done so I guess it's not that bad. Yeah, I hear that but the constant energy can be consuming and draining and if anything its affect and effects are causing us to move into an area that will not support our best interests. So, I'll put it out there to any and all that can hear me, everything is going be OK, it always gets done in one way or another. What this means is that you usually meet the objective, and if not, it will still be waiting for you the next time you press power!  Therefore, you don't have to think about what you need to get done (or what you may think has to get done) from the time you awake until the time you lay your head to rest, all you have to do is ask yourself Who is Superman?  You have a choice here, one that at times can be difficult and challenging, but within this there is always an opportunity to do the right thing without...

It is fair to say that when one is in a career (and position) that requires supporting and managing others needs, you are more susceptible to being that superhero, and you may not always see it any other way.  Furthermore, if this representation has been reinforced and ingrained for some time there will be some work ahead in order to break the madness, a place and space that can ultimately impact your well-being, which in turn will impact your professional practice. Who is Superman? is independently different for each of us because we are all uniquely special. However, the opportunity to change a behavior or mindset is something that we all have the ability to achieve, as long as we see it as something that needs to change. The lessons that we advocate for while supporting those in need are right there in front of us for ourselves as well, what we choose to do with them can either empower us to move forward, or we can just decide to keep on reinforcing the cycle of... So, I ask you, do you really have to be Superman?

Until the next time my words and your availability cross paths don't forget to check in with yourself when in need. It can be as simple as we see it, or as difficult as we choose to make it be...

"Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key 

to personal growth.”    

~ Anonymous

  

 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 ⇢

What Are You Holding On To?

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

As my thoughts turn into words I am empowered with another opportunity to help you help yourself!  The inspiration to share this week came my way after receiving the quote (and intended message) you will notice to the left.  So I ask, what are you holding on to?  We all find ourselves in this state at times, it's not something that any one person is void of.  However, what differs amongst us varies; what triggers it, how we act upon it, and how we cope with it to name a few.  Some would imagine that just because you're in a role (and career) that helps others manage their own, that you may not really have any of your...  Well, we know that is not the case and thus I digress.

When you work as a helping professional you are exposed to so many influences and triggers that often can produce this said emotion, and often times it's not even at a conscious level when it arrives.  So, I ask what are you holding on to?  When you recognize what it is and how you can live with it while learning from it, you move forward.  None of this can be true if you are not living and breathing (in and out of your professional role) well, which equates to your self-care and well-being.  You see, when you take the necessary steps to be well, you are more than likely in that space and place where you want to be well, believe you can and thus commit to the necessary work.  Does this mean you will never experience moments when you are confronted with this emotion (that we all visit from time to time)?  No, what this means is that when you experience such you will most likely be aware and mindful of the what, how and why, and thus your ability to address it in a healthy manner will be much more manageable to access.  Sounds pretty straightforward, but as we do sometimes, we can complicate the process and this is when challenge stays around longer than it has to...

You can't always control the situation, but once again there is much that you can control.  It begins with a determination to be on the page that has you thinking for the right thing without overthinking the moment.  If you are with my intention, then just maybe the next time you are faced with the emotion that you just can't avoid, you will understand where you are at in a much more clear manner and see exactly what are you holding on to? 

We are exposed to some very complex and ingrained stressors within our efforts to help others change for the better.  With that we take on more than we know at times, and as we attempt to breathe and exhale we don't always see the support necessary to help one move forward.  Does this mean there is none to find?  No, what it means is that you first must be available to see it, and then you must strive to find and create what will only help you help yourself.  We are all works in progress, and If we choose to look at our life as such then we are able to embrace any and all stressors that present themselves, including that story from the past, the one that is rarely shared but can continue to present challenges if not dealt with appropriately.  Those that are familiar with my writing understand that what I choose to point out is influenced by living through it and learning from it, in addition to what I have observed through the lens of a social worker that cares about his fellow helping professional.  You see, often one's inability to give and provide in a positive, effective and sustainable manner is not due to a lack of skill, desire or passion, it's most likely a result of what are you holding on to?

As you transition into your weekend stay strong, stand up and stay up.  No matter where you are at, or what you just can't seem to shake, opportunity is waiting as long as you can see it!



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 ⇢

The Interview...

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


When you move through your day supporting others, there are always opportunities to inspire and empower.  When the role reverses itself I am given the same in return, a humbling experience I embrace, while reinforcing that I am exactly where I need to be.

I was contacted recently for a interview by a freelance writer working on behalf of SociologyDegreePrograms.org an online resource that provides insight and information to those interested in pursuing a career in social work.

I welcomed the opportunity to further advocate for and share my thoughts about the profession (and career) that I am proud to be a part of.  Furthermore, I am thankful for being given an additional platform to share a part of my history that doesn't always present itself.  I want to personally thank freelance writer Tricia A. Mitchell for finding me while facilitating my words into a format that I truly hope opens a door for someone searching for their own passion, as well as someone in the profession who is searching for the kind of support that Can You Hear Me? represents and strives to provide!

Interview with Daniel Jacob

Until we meet again may the day be well to you and may you be well to your...  As I strive to reach those in need may my intention, action and purpose inspire you to make any necessary change that will impact the quality of your life in a wonderful way!