It’s day 3 in launch week over at GirlyGazette.com
Launch week is a new and inspirational challenge each day.
Day One’s Challenge was “What makes you feel fabulous“
Day Two was “Whos in your corner” aka “My badass posse“
Day Threes Challenge is this…..What is your gift and what are you doing with that gift. This has been the toughest one for me so far (tomorrows is something about self-recognition and we all know I pretty much suck at that)
First things first…..Challenge Three…..What is my gift?
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I’ve had to do some serious searching for this challenge….when it comes to anything positive related to me…I roll my eyes and do that “Psssssssssssh whatever” thing that MUST stop being such an easy habit. Contrary to popular belief, Im not that bad of a person. Bitchy, yes…some would say thats a gift!
However, beyond the edges and attitude there is a woman with a heart, feelings and compassion.
There’s a chick that just gets it….I tend to see things in a different light than most people and not just the pissy mood light. I try to think of what its like on both sides of the tracks…try to be compassionate to those who are hurting.
Believe it or not, I have the gift of caring. Especially when it comes to caring for the ill or the elderly.
For eight years I was a nurses aide, 4 years in a nursing home and 4 years in a hospital.
Eight years of holding the hands of people while they die, eight years of Alzheimers patients, Bingo, bedpans and Lawrence Welk with Ethel. Eight years of wiping ass and I wouldnt trade a single second of it….not even the times that I was shit on…literally.
My gift, is listening…..
I learned so much and listened to endless hours of stories from the many people I met over those eight years. I learned to never take anything for granted, be grateful, be humble and most of all earn your respect. Im no longer a direct care giver to anyone other than the PIT. *All the fun stuff happens on the 3-12am shift and thats a hard shift to find daycare for-thus, I have a day job* The PIT volunteers once a month at a local nursing home and when I can I join her.
I continue to give my gift….to just listen…no judgement, no advice….just listening, feeling the words, the emotions people share with me. I get it.
Another gift and sometimes curse is my raw, ugly and in your effing face honesty.
Some people dont like to face the truth and they dont appreciate it when you point it out….it could be in the way I point things out….pretty bitchy… I dont sugar coat anything and I dont apologize for it…It is what it is man, why bother with the games and bullshit? Just tell it like it is.
Of course, I cannot go a post about gifts without mentioning my greatest gift that Ive ever received.
The gift that fuels my fire, pushes my buttons, rolls her eyes, loves me with all her heart and loves to swim…….the PIT
So….I wanna know………Whats your gift girly?
Single Parent Bloggers Rock;>
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She is absolutely beautiful.
Honesty is a good thing :)
Thank you darling…..I am SO screwed when shes a teen ey?
I love this. And I love that you have my button on your blog!!!!
Thanks for inspiring me to do this with you :)
I heart that button btw…..I LOVE high heels but I am already pretty tall…add heels and Im an Orge..ok well not an orge…more like a really long skiinny stick
Im so gald that you are joing us in this #positivelygirly revolution! Lets rock this shit ma!
XOXO
Honesty is incredible! I don’t consider myself dishonest, though I have been known to tell the occasional white lie (over unimportant bs, anyway) to avoid hurt feelings. Avoidance is pretty much my forte these days on the rare occasions when it comes to uncomfortable situations requiring honesty.
I’m not sure if I sugarcoat things or not. I despite the occasional white lie, I do try to be as honest as possible, and do it with as much tact as possible. People hate me if I hurt their feelings, whether I’ve been nice about it or not, so I am beginning to wonder if it’s worth the effort to even try and find the right words, versus just blurting out what I see/feel.
I wish there were more people who enjoyed working with seniors. I know they must get so incredibly lonely having been pulled out of their homes and with no family, or long-distance family, or family that just doesn’t make much time for them. I am sure it’s not like that for everyone – sure hope not!
More and more these days, I really am being pulled towards helping animals. I am seriously considering a career switch to vet tech – or even receptionist/AA at a vet’s office, since that would combine both my loves! But it broke my heart to have to have one of our pets put down a few weeks ago, and I am not entirely sure I could be around that on a regular basis. Same with volunteering in an animal shelter – it would probably kill me to not be able to bring all the forgotten and abandoned animals home. One of my sons hopes to open a no-kill shslter once he is grown and established in his career and is financially able :)
Your little girl is beautiful!
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