Conventional Wisdom

I've spent the last nine(ish) years pursuing a career in human services and non-profit management. I've had the opportunity to meet a diverse lot of people from all around the world with different skills and abilities. Conversing with individuals from Central America, Africa, France, China, Persia, various regions of the United States, and more. I've worked as a layperson in the medical field to provide care for people with Alzheimer's Disease. I've served locally and abroad; teaching children how to play and read, helping adults build independence and access their community, volunteering to renovate homes for the poor, connecting people with developmental disabilities to the appropriate resources. I've learned principles of management, nursing, education and business. Now I have the opportunity to continue to labor as a social worker (to put it simply), and to be employed in this field in which I've trained. I've seen that most people in the world struggle just to function day to day. Basic needs aren't met. They are occupied by fear. They've only glimpsed at love, joy, and freedom. But we're not all that different, and I think it's the realization of our similarity to another people that drives us to either empathize and connect, or misunderstand and disregard. We each have a daily, and moment by moment chance to be generous and helpful. To be gracious. However, grace is not a natural human virtue. It's that golden mean between miserliness and extravagance, as Aristotle suggests. It's common-sense, but demands self discipline. People have told me that I am disciplined, but if I am, it's not of my own will. I rely on the example and teachings of Jesus and his creator, and too often I forget to admit that.