the paradox of chaplaincy
I have an odd, dysfunctional thought pattern that is triggered whenever someone says “take care of yourself” or “you deserve to be happy” or some other such caring remark. Thought pattern goes something like “yeah right” or “how could you possibly mean that? You don’t even know me!” or “s/he’s just being polite.” Sometimes it sounds like “Why do I deserve to be happy when there are so many unhappy people in the world?”
This is The Critic talking. I understand that. It’s just that it’s hard to shut her up. Until I can shut her up, I have to argue with her.
The paradox of being a chaplain is that I offer these exact same caring remarks to people. And I truly mean them. In a way, I’ve realized that by ministering to them, I’m ministering to myself. By being the person I wish I had in my life, maybe it makes me more open to noticing when that person shows up in my life.
When discussing this with the group, I also began to wonder if I should indeed risk trusting SaxMan with some small bit of these fears. Could it actually be possible that we could become true friends? I won’t know unless I risk it.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Friday Randomness 2008
3rd day 2007
Oh the humanity! 2007
Inner Dialog 2006
Overnights begin tomorrow 2006
Beginning of the end 2005
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Friday Randomness 2008
3rd day 2007
Oh the humanity! 2007
Inner Dialog 2006
Overnights begin tomorrow 2006
Beginning of the end 2005
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…
-
Friday Randomness 2008
3rd day 2007
Oh the humanity! 2007
Inner Dialog 2006
Overnights begin tomorrow 2006
Beginning of the end 2005
December 31st, 2006 at 11:23 am
I use to hate it when someone would say caring remarks such as those. I hadn’ analyzed it but I think its because of the same reason you didn’t like it. So thanks for helping me see that now I won’t cringe anytime someone offers those caring remarks.
Tue Oct 17, 10:20:00 PM 2006
December 31st, 2006 at 11:24 am
Well, I don’t know what to say to that. I am a sincere person and I speak my mind. If I tell someone that they deserve to be happy or for them to take care, I mean it.
Wed Oct 18, 10:07:00 AM 2006
December 31st, 2006 at 11:24 am
abbagirl,
I know you do. And I am truly grateful and awed that you do. Because The Critic, well, she doesn’t believe much nice stuff. I’m learning to shut her up.
Wed Oct 18, 11:55:00 AM 2006