If You Can Change Within Yourself...

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


If you can change within yourself, then you can help others...  You may have heard this before.  You may have used this experience as an opportunity to empower another.  You may be struggling to find this change within yourself.  My writing today is inspired by another opportunity to facilitate insight, what happens as result of this process will be entirely up to your own availability to receive.  If you can change within yourself, then you can help others...

As I reflect on my own journey (the one that not everyone will understand) I am reminded of all of the lessons and learning that I have been afforded.  I am also reminded that none of those opportunities would have (or could have) become a possibility unless I was able to receive them.  It did not always come with ease, as resistance and avoidance will always show up when the message is not being met.  I lived many years doing it my way, and although I was not entirely off course I was going with the stream, when I should of been going against this flow.  If you can change within yourself, then you can help others...

The door towards my change within really opened for me through higher education.  This may sound like that kind of endorsement that many others have sold through time.  However, for myself the education that I was exposed to changed the quality of my life that I never expected going in to this endeavor.  I chose education at the age of 25 because I wasn't satisfied with the way my life was playing itself out.  There was no dream of a certain career when I began.  All I knew at that moment was the idea that If I changed the quality of my life in a positive manner, I may just find my way.  Well, I did as the key fit the lock and the doors (that for many years remained closed) finally began to turn the other direction.  

As my lens changed and I was given the ability to make better choices, I was moving forward.  Although the path would not save me from challenges and difficulty, slowly and surely I was changing within myself.  When I moved into (and through) my MSW program I met awareness in a manner that I had not quite experienced before.  The mirror was right in front of me, and I was a willing participant.  The road towards acceptance and forgiveness allowed me to grasp the truest gift that I could receive.  The change within had found its way in a manner that would effectively and competently allow me to help others help themselves...

Growth and learning will always be an available opportunity to us all.  I have been very fortunate to receive many positive outcomes as a result of this empowering possibility.  However, none of this is possible with out the want, belief and commitment.  It's a road that will not be smooth, as those bumps along the way remind us that there is still plenty more to learn.  Until the next time, may my words find you well out there, with choice and opportunity by your side... 




About Author

Daniel Jacob, MSW  Email 

Founder of Can You Hear Me?  Adjunct Lecturer and External Field Instructor at University of Southern California School of Social Work | VAC.  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 as he continues to work towards progress!  More about the man behind the mission ⇢

Running With The Homeboys!

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

Homeboy 5K 2013

Running With The Homeboys! Today was a good day as I embraced an opportunity, a cause, and the well-being that I have wholeheartedly committed to!  Today I was a part of a community that provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. 

Today I was Running With The Homeboys!  As I reflect into my writing I am taken to a place that shows me the parallel.  You see, the life that is presented to each one of us comes with its own unique plan.  The journey that not everyone will understand is both different and similar for us all.  The opportunity (and choice) to learn from the obstacles that come, will always allow for that chance to overcome so we can walk with our head up and heart open.  Running With The Homeboys was more than just supporting the cause, one that I truly hold close to my heart, interest and practice. No, today I was reminded once again how far one can come, and how you do not arrive here with out the work and community of support. The parallel is just that, none of us can ever change for the better with out the effort, commitment, and the support system that helps us get there... 

Today I was reminded of just that process, while looking through my lens of hope, choice and opportunity. As Father Greg (the founder and foundation of Homeboy Industries) says so well, "our support and services are not for those that need them, but for those that want them." This is it... My example, the homeboys example, and what can be your example is based on that "want." If you choose for that change, while being self determined then you will be moving in the right direction... It doesn't mean you won't face the challenges or stressors that are part of the journey, you will. What it means is that you will have some needed skills, and a toolbox ready to access with the support intact.  Running With The Homeboys is just that, an example that parallels the essence of how one changes for the better. 

As I leave you with some thought, and the process that moves you towards your own opportunity, my hope is that you have received the message. The one that is sent to you vicariously through my own experience, in addition to the passion I have serving and supporting those in need. Today was a good day, I was Running With The Homeboys!


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⇢

I Certainly Am Not Trying!

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

Nice to be back sharing with all of those that can hear me!  My writing this week is inspired by a post I recently shared on another Can You Hear Me? support platform.  It was another opportunity to empower, support and instruct, something that is a primary influence in what I strive to give.  The post received a lot of traffic and I took notice that people were listening.  It seemed like a great opportunity to provide further support here.  The message was concise and to the point and it began from the acronym/picture you will have noticed above.  The premise is one that we all visit from time to time.  You know those moments when we get in our own way by creating obstacles and barriers that prevent us from moving forward.  It relates to change, for the better that is.

No matter what the change is, it does not happen without these three factors:

      Want   

        Belief  

           Commitment   

In order to embrace this change for the better you have to want it, if you believe it is possible it will be, and to achieve this change you must commit to the necessary work!  It sounds pretty matter of fact to me, and this in of itself is the underlying message here.  It is only as difficult as we make it.  Change is available for all, and if you put forward this intention that I have shared, with purpose and action, then you will get there... How do I know this?  Well, after much trial and error on my part as I have worked towards progress, I have been able to see the rewards as a result of following this plan.  As I write, I think to myself "how can I express to the reader what I feel, know to be true and really trust?"

The only way I can do that is to continue to speak from a place that will always be true to my experience.  One that has allowed me to fall down along the way, while giving me plenty of opportunities to get up, stand up and stay up!  I've always been given a choice, what I did with it determined much, as it does for you.  So with that I leave you with enough to process, learn from, and as always aspire to change for the better!  Be well out there, until we connect again keep your head up and heart open as you continue to work towards your own progress...



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 ⇢