What does it mean to have freedom?I have spent the past 9 years of my young life pursing a type of freedom through education and hard work. While I am thankful for my credentials, work experience, and the regular paychecks and benefits that have made my life comfortable, I am sad to report the personal consequences I have experienced. I have found myself becoming smaller, more constricted, and loosing my creativity. I stopped playing music, writing songs, or seeing myself as creative and artistic for many years. I fell into depression, blaming failed relationships, health problems, and cold dark winters. My body has regularly told me stories of suffering and discontent through ever-present symptoms of discomfort.
What does it mean to live peace?
I have spent the last 5 years working as an advocate for domestic violence victims (the past three years I have also worked with sexual assault victims). Part of my work has been to provide violence prevention education in my community- researching best practice prevention program, designing and implementing educational programs, and presenting to a wide range of audiences on a variety of topics.
As I step away from this work 5 years later, I am left with more questions than answers. I know that doing this work has lead me to feel bitter, angry, and numb (also important and self-righteous). I know that these feelings are normal when facing the overwhelming pain and trauma associated with an overwhelming social problem. I also know that feeling this way is not helping me effect positive change in the world- I am burnt out and unable to think creatively. I seek change in my career in order to be more effective in helping myself and others.
I am preparing myself for the free-fall asI quit my job, pack up my car, and set out on a new adventure.
Will you join me?
No comments:
Post a Comment