I Had A Moment...

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

How are we doing this week?  My hope is that you've found yourself learning from yesterday so that you can live well today.  As I write today's post my inspiration is within me and thus I am ready to share to all of those that can hear me!  This morning I had a moment that allowed me to time travel back to a familiar place that I use to visit when I was a child.  It happened as I was immersed into one of my usual morning selfcare practices, and before I knew it I was passing by a childhood memory that brought me back.  I had a moment, one that provided me with an opportunity to reflect, and by doing so I once again was able to breathe a little easier...

Nearly four decades later this physical space that I was looking upon was still intact.  It looked the same as I had remembered, though much has transpired for myself since those early years as a kid.  As a young boy when I was told we were going there I often found my emotions mixed with excitement and fear.  I was excited to have the opportunity to go, but somewhat anxious for what I knew I could not control.  However, we always went back, and sure enough after I was finished with this experience everything was OK.
Life has been much of the same, walking through it with moments of excitement and fear.  I've always found myself coming back, and the process has taught me much...  I had a moment and once again I am empowered by the lessons I've learned, the one's that continue to find me years later.  No matter what challenges have been presented, or the pain that has found its way as a result, the healing has provided opportunity.  Where I am today has only allowed me to embrace these moments as I continue to add to my work towards progress.  This is it, the classroom is right there ready to be entered, as long as you are available to see it.

May you embrace your own moments as they are part of the process.  They will always be necessary in order to move forward and towards that space that has opportunity waiting for you.  Own it, learn from it, and may you find yourself being able to accept it!  They are brought to you by reason because you are that resilient being, and these moments are just another opening to show you the way.  Until we connect again as always may this find you breathing well...



 
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 ⇢  

Overcome...

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

It's not what you've accomplished that you remember, it's what you overcome.  It's been a little over four years to this day that I walked away with my head up, set to embark into the unknown and uncertain; At the Crossroads.  The journey actually began to unfold several months prior and the challenges that I was exposed to and have learned from once again reinforce my ability to overcome.  It is fair to say that everything can happen due to reason, usually on its own schedule and when we are not ready or expecting. This is exactly what I was about to learn...
 
When the idea (and inspiration) for this week's post came to me I was immersed into one of my usual self-care practices, reading and writing in my process journal.  As it happens I had a moment where I was able to pause and reflect on all that has transpired in a rather short period of time.  I thought back to February 2009 when I had to be hospitalized because I was unable to take care of my self.  My thought process took me thorough the challenging moments leading to, the experiences during, and the work and commitment that have transpired ever since. What happened to me was going to happen at some point in time. Did I see it coming?  NO!  Should I have recognized what was impacting my mental and physical well-being?  YES!  You see, the man behind the passion and influence of this platform was in a place and space that could not see the eventual outcome that was surely waiting...
 
It turns out that I was living in the moment of survival and that functional behavior that one leads when they just cannot see an opportunity out.  I was suppressing and repressing while being immersed into the powerful affects and effects of burnout.  Turns out that burnout wasn't my only companion at the time as there were continual triggers from my past that were telling me something, I just wasn't ready or available to listen.  When the break happened I was thrust into the most intense ride of emotion that I had ever experienced.  It was so driven that for six days it kept me running away from sleep and well-being. It was a roller coaster of the life that I had lived and all that had impacted my history.  I was releasing what I had kept stored away, internalized in a manner that all I can say, it was like a boiling teapot ready to burst.  I was being given an experiential lesson that had two outcomes waiting; resist and you will suffer for quite some time, or accept, work and commit and you will change for the better in ways that you never imagined.
 
I chose the second option and the journey has been amazingly powerful.  The work that I was self-determined to embrace has opened a door that has truly impacted my personal self and professional practice in such a positive manner.  What I have been able to overcome has showed me the way towards opportunity that I wasn't available to see in the past.  What I have been given is a level of change that has allowed my process (from childhood to adolescence, young adulthood to the present) to breathe and release itself in order for me to live life the only way it should be.  You see, prior to this intense experience I wasn't living.  I was going through the motions of keeping it all together, not allowing myself to embrace my own vulnerability in a manner that would accept my authentic self.  I was able to overcome with much effort, and for this I am well, I am strong, I am empowered. There is much more to the journey, and though I consider myself to be an open book, I leave out facts and particulars not due to discomfort, but because I choose to promote awareness, reflection and the process that leads one to help themselves!
 
May this weeks sharing allow yourself to be available to all that is possible.  It is not a matter of if but when, Can You Hear Me?


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 ⇢