01-30-2017, 09:15 AM
I'm sorry that your work situation was such a difficult one. The way you described the work environment makes it sound like a pretty depressing place, and your leaving is more than understandable. I also wouldn't be so quick to say that you weren't able to have a positive effect there. Firstly, those conditions could make even the best of us go insane and do things that we would later regret, not saying that you did anything regrettable, just that in places where there is so little integrity and care, small acts of kindness, like the ones you displayed, are pretty awesome. A little bit of light in a sea of darkness is impossible to miss and can be oh so precious. It sounds like you were able to inject some light into that place. You obviously care about people and I think that is one of the most beautiful things there is. For that, I bow to you.
Also, when it comes to homeless people and mental illness, I think that the two are often conflated not to further demonize homeless people, but instead to contextualize their circumstance, so that a different and more gentle, loving perspective can be achieved. My understanding is that a lot of homeless people do suffer from mental illness, and this is a part of the reason why they are homeless. In my experience, sometimes you simply cannot just pull yourself up and do what needs to be done to better your circumstance. Sometimes, you NEED support, and lots of it. Many of these people need so much love and support, but where are they going to get it form? It is so so difficult. If I didn't have such a supportive family and such fortunate life circumstances, would I be homeless? Who knows, but if I, someone who goes through periods where I feel myself unable to function even at the most basic level, had on top of that, an abusive family and was surrounded by drugs, alcohol and violence, dear lord, where would I be? People can fall through the cracks so easily.
I feel a lot of anxiety around this whole polarizing and catalyst business as well. I don't really have a great deal of advice about it, other than to say that if you find yourself being totally overwhelmed by it, maybe, it is best to put it aside for the time being. Perhaps that is bad advice though and encourages ignoring catalyst, so take it with a grain of salt. I like you dude
Also, when it comes to homeless people and mental illness, I think that the two are often conflated not to further demonize homeless people, but instead to contextualize their circumstance, so that a different and more gentle, loving perspective can be achieved. My understanding is that a lot of homeless people do suffer from mental illness, and this is a part of the reason why they are homeless. In my experience, sometimes you simply cannot just pull yourself up and do what needs to be done to better your circumstance. Sometimes, you NEED support, and lots of it. Many of these people need so much love and support, but where are they going to get it form? It is so so difficult. If I didn't have such a supportive family and such fortunate life circumstances, would I be homeless? Who knows, but if I, someone who goes through periods where I feel myself unable to function even at the most basic level, had on top of that, an abusive family and was surrounded by drugs, alcohol and violence, dear lord, where would I be? People can fall through the cracks so easily.
I feel a lot of anxiety around this whole polarizing and catalyst business as well. I don't really have a great deal of advice about it, other than to say that if you find yourself being totally overwhelmed by it, maybe, it is best to put it aside for the time being. Perhaps that is bad advice though and encourages ignoring catalyst, so take it with a grain of salt. I like you dude