for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
. . . the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting . . . "
- Mary Oliver
I want to do work that brings me joy AND well-being, that is challenging, that makes me learn and grow and that I don't already know how to do. This work is not walking on my knees through the desert,though. I want to do what I'm called to do not despite the other callings of my life, but with them.
My long-term vision is to bring a deeper understanding of caring for families welcoming children to congregations and ministers, especially Unitarian Universalists. Certification as a Mentor is only a first step on that journey. This work is the foundation-building for that house. To reach the whole vision I'll need to learn more about adoption and pastoral care as it's understood and practiced in Unitarian Universalist churches. And I'll need a Master's degree, most likely an M.Div., to be truly taken seriously in those 'temples'.
That building is a long way off. But the work with parents is a wellspring.
I did a drawing to see what would come of these ideas in pastels on paper:
Obviously, this is the goal, the objective, not reality. In reality, many times not everyone is smiling at the same time. In reality, there're fewer stacks of fat cash!
The questions which float up to me from my image making are these:
Where and what are the obstacles in my way?
Am I now an apprentice or a Journeyman?
And what would Mastery mean?
My formal OBJECTIVES:
- Continue to build my experience and skill in mentoring parents
- Get certified!
- Learn, learn, learn about all things pregnancy, birth, and parenting
- Break even or better financially
- Connect with other wonderful mentors & colleagues
- Learn about myself in this 'mirror'
