Hope and Perspective. Today is the worst day ever

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I have just read a post from TwAck, which as so often happens, they give me huge motivation and in fact it triggered a memory and ispired me to write a little something myself.

As many of you are aware I work in an environemnt where Hope and Faith are rarely visitors. I work in a prison and find that perspective can sometimes be a struggle

Never the les I have been fortunate and humbled to have my own perspective altered as a result of some of these "residents" some have been abused and turned into the abuser, some have spent all of their adult life on the streets and most if not all suffer addiction and alcohol misuse. So many of them are institutionalised and tell me they have no hope.

My job is to facilitate these men to become clean and sober and try and give them faith they can do it. Or at least minimise the harm they do.

So what has this got to do with you my lovely WA family.

This last week we have suffered a roller coaster of emotions and sometimes hope and perspective are not quite visable.

This poem is read often by my guys and it is one where I have seen the lightbulb moment. It is why I do my job as it will just reduce me to a blubbering mess when I witness a real and solid change and I wanted to share it with you.

Please forgive me if you have already seen and read, but even if you have perhaps read again.

Cordelia

Worst Day Ever

Today was the absolute worst day ever
And don't try to convince me that
There's something good in every day
Because, when you take a closer look,
This world is a pretty evil place.
Even if
Some goodness does shine through once in a while
Satisfaction and happiness don't last.
And it's not true that
It's all in the mind and heart
Because
True happiness can be attained
Only if one's surroundings are good
It's not true that good exists
I'm sure you can agree that
The reality
Creates
My attitude
It's all beyond my control
And you'll never in a million years hear me say
Today was a very good day

Now read it from bottom to top, the other way, And see what I really feel about my day.

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Recent Comments

31

Hello Cordelia, Prison is not an easy place to work in. It has been difficult on several layers. I was promoted to supervisor in 1999. 5 years later I slipped into depression. The pills didn't help me. I started by burning my maps. I started a walk about in my conscious mind. I've been looking for a finishing line. Doesn't exist.
I lowered my expectations and reduced my risks. Started painting on large canvas and got a agent.
The moral of the story-- I think we don't get out of the walk about. For humans enough is never enough. That's why sleeping is so important. Jim Hendricks is best heard loud. Manic Depression is a good start. Then Michael Hedges, Gimmy Shelter and the walking continues. Dr. Jeffrey
There are many coping styles. The ones my wife suggest, wellbutrin here I come.

I honestly think we have a shelf life working in the prison environment, you, like me have probably seen many officers, civilian staff and counsellors suffer with PTSD, depression and our own other mental health issues.
I am lucky as part of our benefit package includes paying for outside service, we HAVE to have our own counsellor (external supervision) with whom we can discuss and talk about things we have witnessed, feeling, Prison politics and the conditions in which we work.

This because we have no outlet, we are unable to discuss such things with family and friends, nor would we want to burden them.
It’s easy for someone to say “leave it at the gate” don’t take it home, but the depravity we sometimes witness, or the lack of humanity from all, can alter our own humanity. How we can become desensitised to things. This must have an affect on our wellbeing.

Outlets are (for me) a very positive way forward. I doff my cap in admiration for you staying in the Prison service for such a long time. Art is also a wonderful outlet and applaud your skill.

I am so sorry to hear about your continued mental health issues. And I thank you for sharing such a sensitive issue. I hope someone reads and sees what a great comment your reply was and takes something useful out it. (That’s what we do at work isn’t it? 🙏) we hope someone, just one (will be ok) takes our support and intervention into their recovery..

Cordelia

I went through a tough time when the administration decided to cut a program I had built from the ground up. I had to ask myself, do I want to burn out or take the long view. I choose to accept the long view. That probably created in me a "state employee". I would not be here had I burned myself out. It is good to hear that you have access to a counselor. I talk to my psychiatrist and psychologist once a month. The best advice I received was, "Jeff what you do outside of work is more important than what you do on the job." Amazing how much that shifted my attention and use of energy. I hope you find the strength you will need to stay on your path, where ever it leads. Keep up your interest in finding a way through. Dr. Jeffrey

Thank you,
Wise words. Thank you again for sharing such a personal journey. 🙏

Thank you for the mention Cordelia, you are so very kind, always. Doing what you do is an inspiration in itself and comes from within yourself.
It probably won't surprise you to know that I have a copy of the poem just to the left of me, toward the top of a pile of miscellaneous papers. A the top of the page is another quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change."

Well thank you, that quote is brilliant.
That will definitely be coming with me too work...😉
And having a copy of that Poem on the top of miscellaneous papers, is actually serendipitous. It’s the universe talking again...👍

As Dr.Frasier Crane used to say: "I'm listening"

Ha ha, he did indeed ❤️

Awesome. This is great. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Stanley... 👍

Beautiful, thank you Coredlia

Wow Cordelia, how clever is that? I admire your dedication at work. Wishing you tremendous success in all things.

Be happy
Lily 😊

Thank you Lily. 👍❤️

Very powerful and beautiful post. Thanks Cordelia.

Thank you 👍

I have tears in my eyes. Beautiful. Just beautiful. May God bless you richly in your work.

Have a blessed time
where ever you are
Charlotte

Charlotte what a lovely thing to write. I really appreciate your comment.. ❤️👍

Wow--almost like the glass is empty or half full--that is awesome, I'd never seen that before, Cordelia--Thanks for sharing!

Jeff

Thank you for reading and commenting.
Yes I love it too

I have seen that poem before and think its excellent a great way of showing how easy it is to change your perspective.

It must be tough doing the job you do and very hard knowing that often it's the nurture part (or lack of) of, growing up, that failed them.

You are right Linda, often it is the lack of nurturing can cause longer term issues. Not always but often... thank you for responding 🤩👍

Cordelia - that is brilliant! You are a real hero for what you do and with courage as well. Such an inspiration!
Best,
John 😎👍

John,
Thank you so much for your lovely words. I did actually reply to this ages ago but I think I have a glitch because it didn’t show.

👍❤️

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