Live Virtual Group Session: 12PM EDT March 15th 2024

13 Comments

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this session!

For this session we took a close look a short animated story “The Lady From Maine” by Aaron Calafato (writer/performer) and Pete Whitehead (animator).

Our prompt was: “I must love what I do because..”

More details will be posted on this session, so check back again!

Participants are warmly encouraged to share what you wrote below (“Leave a Reply”), to keep the conversation going here, bearing in mind that the blog of course is a public space where confidentiality is not assured.

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Please join us for our next session Monday March 18th at 6pm EDT, with more times listed on our Live Virtual Group Sessions.

13 thoughts on “Live Virtual Group Session: 12PM EDT March 15th 2024”

  1. Trisha Lawson's avatar Trisha Lawson

    I must love what I do because its what puts food on the table and a roof over the head of my daughter.  I must love what I do because it is what gives her access to counselling and puberty blockers; its what gives her access to experts and helpers; its what gives her a mother with an opening, questioning, and non-judgemental mind.  I must love what I do because even on the day’s when it hurts, punches me in the gut, leaves me feeling less then, not quite enough, confused, alone, or excluded, I rise again each morning with a will to try again, with a curious question, as I sit down to carve out the truth from an experience, and make it clear, hard, and pure so as to be understood, to help others understand.  I must love what I do because there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing, I must love what I do because in the quiet spaces inside of me, the voice that whispers, “write” scratches at the walls of my heart with the weighted persistence of a cat.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • michele348's avatar michele348

      Trisha, your writing pulled on my heartstrings! A mother’s love surpasses whatever the world might throw in the way to block, confuse, or dishearten. My best to you and your daughter!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth

      Trisha, this is such a moving piece about the power of motherhood generally and the specific power of the narrator. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful piece with us.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Rita B's avatar Rita B

    I must love what I do because –

    Rita Basuray

    I must love what I do, because my job was nixed last week – but I didn’t give up. I promptly started a business plan, consulted with knowledgeable people, started to tell friends that I am ready for what comes next.

    Next – can go south as my plans to merge Narrative Medicine and Team Based Learning, two teaching/learning paths into a new thing, can go bust. Or north, where students can benefit from the open endedness of Narrative Medicine and end with the “what to do next” aspect of Team Based Learning.

    I feel starry eyed right now!

    Like

    Reply
  3. michele348's avatar michele348

    I must love what I do because~~~

    it takes my full capacity of patience and commitment to fulfill
    the promise I made.

    The world places roadblocks in my way…
    all these sharp-pointed events in life that
    poke and prod me to turn
    in the opposite direction and run.

    There is competition between two voices in my mind, pushing and pulling…
    to give up or to continue on my path,
    the path of commitment to a promise made.

    I know within my soul, that it is the right thing to stay the course,
    although this promise which I hold strongly to,
    tests me daily,
    the world tests me daily.

    But it is a promise that brings me much love and inner peace…
    it overflows the cup within me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth

    Mothers never say this,

    but it should be our mantra.

    After all, who would take an unpaid job

    that is full of rewards,

    but also infused with

    worry, extreme responsibility, and even abuse?

    And yet, the army of us women

    take this job

    mostly joyfully and happily.

    We are all in,

    24/7 forever,

    even when our children leave home.

    It is our lifelong job,

    with no retirement plan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. rehavia6's avatar rehavia6

    I Must Love What I Do Because:

    I must love what I do because. I return each day to be abused, threatened and cursed at by my patients. I have been called every name in the book and accused of not doing my job, being racist and lazy. You name it, I have been called it. 

    I must love what I do because I have so few resources available to me and often feel so helpless.

    I must love what I do because I know that  I make a difference and I have had an impact on many people and there is no better feeling.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • michele348's avatar michele348

      It takes a very strong person to deal with what you described on the job. There are patients who, due to their illness and the possibility that their situation will not improve, seem to want to take it out on those who are there to help. It is their fear that possibly makes them confrontational. In other cases, some have never been brought up to respect those who are in service to them.

      I commend your dedication to your job and for doing what is best for your patients! You have my respect and gratitude on their behalf.

      Like

      Reply

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