Where Are We Going?

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

Where Are We Going?  As I reach and teach I am always presented with an opportunity to empower and support.  One might ask, how do you know you are making this kind of impact?  My response would go like this, when the eyes of those I am trying to teach reach mine, their focus shares all I need to know...  My writing this week is inspired by the work I am doing with MSW students and the mutual process that unfolds.  As my students find themselves transitioning into a new semester, there is another opportunity to add to their own works toward progress, and the learning is in place. 

Where Are We Going?  It is as much about the uncertain as it applies to what one has been able to add to their toolbox.  You see, often when we are immersed into our goals and tasks at hand, we can lose sight of the awareness needed to recognize what opportunities we have gained.  Today was about identifying competency as much as it was about striving towards progress that is yet to be achieved.  I challenge my student's to pause along the way, not losing sight of all the learning that surrounds them as they often just want to check off the next item on the list.  I want them to be mindful and in tune with the practice opportunities that will never be on the syllabi, but can impact their development in a manner that will effectively add to their skill set and ability to reach those in need.

Where Are We  Going?  It is a process, and if you trust it, you will be presented with openings that you never imagined would be possible...  It is in this space and place that one is empowered and motivated to embrace challenge and difficulty, not as a chore, but rather as a choice.  Can You Hear Me?  If you can then perhaps you are following my lead here.  It's a straight path towards insight, observation and the objectivity that a helping professional would need, not only to help those in need, but to support themselves in the process.  Today was a good day...  It signified to me that those I was striving to reach were available and present, and when this is in place, then there is no question as to Where Are We Going?

Once again, when one teaches two learn!  I am continually inspired by the opportunity that I have been given, one that I do not take for granted.  You see, I am in a position to not only impact the future of social work as it applies to the students I support, but what they take into the field as a result has the opportunity to transcend...  This is where I am going, and I hold no reservations as to what is possible, an opportunity for a level of change that can impact all parties involved.  As I reflect on just that I am empowered, and provided with another moment to breathe a little easier with my head up and heart open...

"It's not what you look at that matters, 

it's what you see." 

~Henry David Thoreau

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's Looking...

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

Who's Looking... Glad to be back hitting the keys as I open that door to my thoughts, inspiration and passion to help you help yourself.  Sometimes it helps to take a week off in order to be in that space and place that has one available to give.  You see, I gain so much from what I share, and writing for me is truly a part of how I take care of my self.  However, when I write I have to be moved in a manner that I can effectively give to the process.  This in of itself is not always the easiest to manage, but hey Who's Looking...

As I sometimes hit a wall and question the need to keep searching, I find myself looking for that something that I just cannot see. There are many out there in the social forums that share, and thus we all provide a different source of support. For myself, I know that my approach is showcasing my own vulnerability, so I am not focused on overwhelming those that can hear me with facts and bullet points.  No, I'm coming straight to you with experiential wisdom as I tap into your own struggle, whatever that may be.  My writing is that parallel process that speaks to that inner voice of yours, hoping to help you hit the pause, reflect and breathe, Who's Looking...

As we set to close down one season, while transitioning into a new one filled with future opportunities, my hope is that you will move closer to being available to see it.  I was reminded of just that earlier, when for a moment I went to that place of question and comparison... You know that space that is more about our own stuff than what anyone or anything may be doing, so I ask you Who's Looking...  It is very easy for our outlook on life, work, relationships, you name it to be influenced by the stress and uncertainty that WE bring into it.  When we carry this intention we are not operating with a peace of mind, we are often pointing the finger (and blame) towards someone or something that WE feel is the source of our distress.  A friend of mine once told me that our state of mind is so greatly influenced by having a peace of mind. This lesson is one that I hold as true, and so I use this example as another opportunity for you to see your own opening...

I encourage anyone out there that can hear me to continue to trust where you are at, while you embrace the learning that sits side by side with difficulty.  If you have not figured it out by now, Who's Looking is that opportunity to accept where we are at without judgment or control, as we realize who we are truly competing against.  There is no need to overthink the process, you just have to trust it as you continue to be well to your self...

My hope for you this week is that my words find you available and open to what resides on the other side of your own mirror.  It's always a choice, one that will demand a level of effort that will require you to work, but let me just say... When you breakthrough that space, the change you will see is transformative, truly empowering.  May the holiday weekend find you breathing well, until the next time we cross paths...

 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 Story...

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


One of the greatest opportunities available to all of us is the learning given through the eyes of another... This has, and will always be something that I gravitate towards as it continually inspires, empowers and supports the path that I choose to be on. Thinking about what I might want to share today, I reflected on the past few weeks, and the opportunities that have come my way. When I conceptualized Can You Hear Me?  I knew that my story had to be told as it has been such a strong influence and driving force in all that I strive to share through experience that facilitates learning, encourages risk and supports struggle. With that being said it's not such an easy task to get your story told, or to have the availability from others to share it. However, I've kept at it, continuing to put it out there and I am very pleased to see my story begin to unfold!

I've kept my story to myself for so many years, for reasons that I believe kept it safe and protected. A part of me felt that perhaps it wouldn't be heard, or I just didn't know how to tell it.   Another factor was that I needed to continue to grow and develop while doing the necessary work in order to be able to begin to share. The story is yet from over and I often reflect on just that with excitement and optimism.  If you have been following my blog than you may have picked up on how transformational, intense and challenging the last chapter has been for me.  As they say, the greatest learning does indeed come from overcoming, and with that I have been given a great opportunity, one that has presented a truly amazing learning experience as a result.

I am hopeful that my story will allow those I am striving to reach their own opportunity. I hope that my example can be a model to anyone out there that feels that their story is not one worth sharing, because it is, but only if you believe in it!  What I have come to understand in this process is that you are not given a platform, you must create one, and by chance if you are lucky enough to be given one, I hope you use it wisely with intention and purpose.  As I see my story spread I am mindful of the path I've been on, and I am hopeful that it will continue to gain momentum as it moves closer towards reaching those in need.

In my last post Why, What, and Who? I mentioned that I would be sharing a recent interview I was involved with once it was completed. It has arrived and I am thankful for being given an additional platform to share a part of my history that further shares my story. I want to personally thank Victoria Brewster MSW - SJS Staff Writer for reaching out to me, while facilitating my words into a format that I truly hope opens a door for someone in the helping profession who is searching for the kind of support that Can You Hear Me? represents and strives to provide!  Here is the complete interview.

Before I end for the day and encourage you to move into your own needs I wanted to share that I will be featured on a Live Twitter Chat on Monday, May 6th at 8:00pm EST discussing self-care and burnout.  If you are part of the Twitter platform and are available to join I would welcome the opportunity to engage, share and provide further support on these very important topics. You can follow Can You Hear Me? on Twitter here as I welcome available followers.

As always the opportunity that I find myself invested and immersed into is one that continually presents me with nothing but gratitude. When I write I'm inspired by the possibility of reaching someone in need, and thus the process continues...



 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 ⇢