This the title of an article I wrote for a new fostering website. You can read it here, or on their site: kidswhofoster.co.uk
In the UK today, there are 70,000 children and young people living in public care, with over 54,000 living with foster families. Some of these placements are for a short term, until a particular situation in their primary family is resolved. Others can be for an extended length of time, as they wait to be adopted, or reach an age to live independently.
This is a very transitional time. One that can be characterised as chaotic, uncertain, emotionally trying… and yet can be the most settled, and ‘fruitful’ time for a foster child. The child could be said to be on a journey ‘from here to there’, and I propose, the foster placement could be seen as ‘The Land Between’. Continue reading
This was my number, on the ticket I pulled out of the machine at the blood testing place today. The no. on the display was 23. *The following our the things are wrote down while I was waiting.
You can probably imagine my internal despondency at the thought of the wait that was ahead of me. In fact, I think the process towards that feeling actually started the moment I entered the tiny side space that has been given over to it, and saw the number of other internally despondent people who were sitting down. – Would this shared communal feeling be enough to call us a community? Continue reading
This is a theme/concept that I have been stewing on…
I think it was prompted by a talk I was preparing in which I referenced Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Need’ (Abraham Maslow)*
This theory of motivation, provides a mechanism for looking at human self/personal development and basically suggests that there are certain needs that all humans have, and that the higher ones are only met once the lower ones are.
I think my mind was particularly interested by the 4th level ‘Esteem Needs’, and what it might mean if those needs were unmet. Would this lead to your personal development being stunted, put on hold, arrested?
As I began by saying, I’m stewing on: Arrested Development…
*First published in 1943, and one of the most popular and often cited theories of human motivation.
This made up part of an encouragement to me some years back when I was berating myself for my faults and failings – annoyingly too often in the same areas.
The actual line was: “Janice, you are a work in progress”. Even just thinking about it now, makes me stop pause, accompanied by a contented sigh. You see it was such a relief to have those words so lovingly, and without judgement or consternation said. An affirming tone accompanied them, which made me hope for change.
Why have these words come to mind now? Because I read a similar sentiment in a book I’m currently reading about leadership.
I believe the words: “work in progress” have much to say to those of the creative persuasion – whether related to the person, or the creations of the person.
This was the insight of a colleague as I bemoaned the fact that I had begun to watch Eastenders, and had in fact been watching episodes on BBC iPlayer at a ridiculous hour the night before.
She offered no middle ground, I was either ‘too serious’ or ‘dull’, or is that just how I heard and received it?
Ummm is the fact that it irked me a sign of me smarting at the existence of some truth? Ummm…
Perspective was a significant concept in a talk I heard today.
The speaker commented on how in his line of work, it was his responsibility to present people with a different perspective, giving them hope that things can be different to what they are or are presenting themselves to be.
Writers have that same ability.
Whatever your genre of writing, a part of your business is perspectives. – Presenting yours, the prevailing culture, world view etc
When you think about it, this can be a very powerful tool to wield, a skill to master, and a responsibility to not take lightly.
The line from a song that I woke up with this morning. – Not sure why as I can’t remember listening to it recently.
“I am the change I want to see” I mused on the words, and my first thoughts were, of the agreeing variety. I then went onto wonder what the connotations to this concept were… So I decided to do a google search on them, though I realise now I actually searched for: “I am the change I want to be”. – Maybe this was subconcious…
Anyway, only 3 results came up and they brought me to a video: Be The Change That You Want To See.
It interested me, so thought I’d share it with you. Let me know what you think of the idea of being the change you want to see or be.
This the title of an article I wrote for a new fostering website. You can read it here, or on their site: kidswhofoster.co.uk
