Being Authentic
These two picture above are taken from when I went to England on a mission trip. The whole goal of that trip was to share the Gospel and also just be a servant to a community that was really downtrodden. The picture on the left with me and the little boy, was at the fun day that we hosted. We had a face painting table and I was painting his face. When I was done, he asked if he could paint mine...well of course! So he stared intently at the sheet of paper which had all the designs on it and then chose one, and I was not allowed to ask any questions until it was all done. This was supposed to be "tribal painting" however when he showed me the mirror I had no idea what I was, and quite disliked it (especially the beard) but this little boy was having fun, he was expressing his desire to be apart of our "older American" group. What message would I send if I washed off my face or made it seem that his work was anything but extraordinary?
The second picture was taken in the snack room where we were hosting a kids camp. I was in charge of all the snacks for the children, and coming up with creative ways to turn these projects into a craft. The second day into the camp I lost my voice. This was a huge blow to me. When I loose my voice it is unlike anything else, it completely leaves and does not return for upwards of 3 1/2 weeks! I was so discouraged that I could not speak, and that I would not be able to get the satisfaction out of "helping these kids". What I did not know was that this was an opportunity for me to learn from the children. I still had to lead the snacks, but was able to find creative ways of explaining how to make to snack. As I was given the opportunity to sit and watch the children interact, true appreciation for service ignited in me. No longer did I want the credit for how well these children could make a lion out of a few crackers and nutella, but instead I was able to observe how these children could become capable if only given the chance. This was truly an example of an espoused way of being versus my own perception.
The second picture was taken in the snack room where we were hosting a kids camp. I was in charge of all the snacks for the children, and coming up with creative ways to turn these projects into a craft. The second day into the camp I lost my voice. This was a huge blow to me. When I loose my voice it is unlike anything else, it completely leaves and does not return for upwards of 3 1/2 weeks! I was so discouraged that I could not speak, and that I would not be able to get the satisfaction out of "helping these kids". What I did not know was that this was an opportunity for me to learn from the children. I still had to lead the snacks, but was able to find creative ways of explaining how to make to snack. As I was given the opportunity to sit and watch the children interact, true appreciation for service ignited in me. No longer did I want the credit for how well these children could make a lion out of a few crackers and nutella, but instead I was able to observe how these children could become capable if only given the chance. This was truly an example of an espoused way of being versus my own perception.
There are a couple statements that I have which will show how as a future Human Services professional I will be authentic. These also show how I can not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.- my espoused way of being. (Korsmo, 2013)
These statements are:
1. As a future Human Services professional I will be authentic in:
2. Not hiding my faith, but being open to other's views
3. Genuine care and love for every person I come in contact with
4. Establishing the desire to serve as a priority in my life
5. Understanding where I come from and not letting that hinder how I care for others, or influencing where other's have come from.
These statements are:
1. As a future Human Services professional I will be authentic in:
2. Not hiding my faith, but being open to other's views
3. Genuine care and love for every person I come in contact with
4. Establishing the desire to serve as a priority in my life
5. Understanding where I come from and not letting that hinder how I care for others, or influencing where other's have come from.