THE IDES OF MARCH

Can be a dangerous time to some. Remember the quote to Caesar- Beware the Ides of March. I usually view it as one step closer to Spring. It is a time to reflect as we are almost through Winter which I am sure has a punch or two remaining. Remember snowstorms in April can happen!! Days can be warm or chilly; rain or snow; do I keep wearing my boots or is it time for running shoes? The days are getting even longer with the time change. I feel there is a urgency to get those winter projects finished as the great outdoors is welcoming. Beware the Ides of March- bring it on as I can not wait for the new season to begin!

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME

But the people I need to help. Many times I am asked how I can do the job I do. The emotions, the situation, the feelings. We are taught as Social Workers, Therapists to be objective. To put our feelings aside. For me, I have learnt to say this phrase in my head- it's not about me but what does this person need. It's their anger, not mine, what does it mean. By not personalizing the pain, and dealing with the pain, it allows me and other therapists to facilitate, help the person/family/situation to be given what they need, not what I need. Debriefing, talking to team members, normalizing my feelings as a caregiver help to deal with the situation after the crisis has passed. Helping others, means helping others and not projecting my feelings on a situation. I work in Health Care and it never seems to amaze me how simple it is or complex it is to be there for the other person and help them obtain what they need. I do not cry at funerals as it is about the family and allowing them to grieve. It is not about me but what I can bring to the situation to help the situation. I do shed some tears at weddings as they are happy, new beginning situations. What about you? Can you put your feelings aside to help someone? A hug! Support! It is about the other person- just be there, support, be a friend! With care, love, compassion- be human!

A WINTER PROJECT

Almost done. When goals are set to try to complete projects in a timely fashion, some technical difficulties get in the way. Needed to buy a new printer, more ink, some pictures too dark, eventually went to a photoshop. Then I thought of my week and the tragedy, the terrible situation in Japan and the people still recovering in New Zealand. How blessed to have nothing more to worry about than some technical difficulties. Do you feel blessed to have family and friends safe?

MAPLE SYRUP-CANADIAN EH!

Maple Syrup is very Canadian. I have been very fortunate to live near several Maple Sugar Bushes in the York Region area.
In 2007 I visited Thompson's which is
a major producer on St. Joseph's Island near
Sault Ste Marie Ontario.
It is so interesting to know how the syrup is
made.

March is the time of year when the sap runs in the Maple trees prolific for maple syrup. The two main sources are the sugar and black maple trees. We have 2,600 producers in Ontario alone. Quebec has the most production and locales in the USA are renown as well. The farmers use a plastic tub collection 80% of the time while the traditional bucket tapping can still be seen in some locations. The Native Canadians introduced the white man to maple syrup. School children will have spring trips to Maple bushes to learn about the process and to taste the raw product. As for me, love it on pancakes, in my oatmeal and have used maple syrup as a sugar substitute in baking. Do you have favourite dishes that include maply syrup?

THE DEATH OF A CHILD

Is the hardest death to accept. If a child has been sickly since birth, perhaps there is some acceptance. When a healthy child becomes fatally ill, there is no answer to give a parent. The loss is incredible. Sometimes in my work there are very sad times such as this. Do you know a parent that has lost a beloved child? Stop and listen to their pain. Then give a big hug and be there when the parents need to talk.

NATIONAL WORK SOCIAL WEEK

This year's motto is " There for you when you need us!" Social Work is a profession that has a great range of services and interventions. Community, hospital, private practice, social workers are there for people in all socio-economic backgrounds. Abuse, for example, can filter to anyone regardless of race, creed, colour or economic status. From crisis intervention to therapy to resouce information, social workers have the knowledge to assist you or to find the right service or intervention that will help you. Here's to Social Workers everywhere- a profession that I am proud to represent.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

A day to celebrate all the accomplishments
women have done. We have come a long way
baby and there is a further journey ahead of
us.
Modern men have learnt to appreciate the
women in their lives. Shared parenting has
become more of the norm. Women have been
breaking barriers in the workplace. Support must be given to those women in other countries without the freedoms we have here in Canada.
Raise your children to see the beauty in being human without gender discrimination.
Do you have a story to share about what the day means to you?