Work Doesn't Suck

Hey guys, it's been awhile.  That is entirely my fault.  Lately, every time I've thought "I need to blog," I've been hit by this super big wave of laziness.  That, and I haven't really felt like I have done anything even remotely close to being worthy of immortality on the Internet.

Recently, I've been really grateful for the job that I have.  I work at a residential treatment center where we help adolescent girls come to terms with, cope with, and overcome difficult things in their lives like trauma, addictions, etc.  I go there three to four times a week and spend eight hours with these girls.

I just need to say how awesome this job is.  These girls make me laugh all the time, they make me see the good in things (including myself), and they make me feel loved.  I am hurt when these girls are hurt, happy when they are happy; for me, it's a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father feels every day for us.  He is happy when we are happy, sad when we are sad, and rejoices with us in our triumphs.

This job has taught me so much about myself.  It has brought to light so many things about myself that  I need to change.  It has deepened my faith in my God and helped me realize how much I, as an individual, need that relationship with a higher power.  It has made me realize that I am worthy of love.

Actually, the love aspect is what keeps me coming back every day.  At first, I came because it was a job and I needed it.  Then, it was because I just enjoyed being around these people.  And now, it is because I feel genuine love from all these people here.  And I love all of them too!  It's crazy to think about the amount of love that goes on here.  It's crazy to think that all of these girls who have so much crap to wade through every single day can still reach out to the girls around them and love them when times are tough.  It's crazy to think that these girls can love me, a 23 year old guy that knows absolutely nothing of psychology or disorders or addictions because I choose to come here and make them a part of my life.

I try to express to them how much I love them and am inspired by them and their strength and courage. I'm not very good at it, but I'm learning.  I'm getting better at showing and telling these girls how much I love them and how much I want to be there for them when they need a shoulder to cry on or just someone to talk to.  In loving them, I have found knowledge and understanding.

And even more exciting to me, I have found that they love me.