Keep Calm and Stay Optimistic

I've always been a very positive person. I find it extremely hard to be negative about something for very long before trying to find the silver lining. It hasn't always been easy, but that's just who I am.

I think this aspect has helped me and will continue to help me throughout my Social Work and my work here in Edinburgh.

Working at Bethany House can also be a very negative place. Warnings are given out for drugs and alcohol, non-payment of service charge, and any number of other things. People are without homes, experiencing relationship breakdown, battling addictions, having a hard time finding motivation, and not so sure of what the next step is. You see people make the same, poor decisions over and over again. You see people hit their all time low and breaking point. There are fights that happen and disputes among residents. The list can go on and on.

And to be honest, it can get real easy to focus on this. I have found myself trying to not become hardened by this place. Yes, I have gained a thicker skin, but I don't want to make assumptions of every person walking through that door and who they might be and what they might do. And I'm happy to say that I'm no where near that. Thank goodness.

The thing is, though, Bethany can also be a very positive place. There is a constant flow of banter, laughter, and jokes. You see people go forward to positive move ons such as a rehabilitation center or a new, supported flat. You see people from the same flat working together during kitchen duty. You walk up to a flat and find three of the guys watching telly together and laughing. You see people attend devotions or talk with staff and find out about their worth as a person and that they're worth a lot! You see people make changes in their lives. You see people spend time with their kids and bring them in to visit the staff. You see people, who are battling addictions, remain sober for a short while. You see people come to the realization that they can do more than they ever thought. The list can go on and on.

Seeing the negative is an easy choice. Not only at Bethany, but anywhere in our lives. I've had moments and weeks of negativity while being here and those have been some of the hardest times. It isn't easy being away from everything and everyone. It isn't easy STILL learning about life here. It isn't easy to work at a homeless hostel. It just isn't easy... but it's worth it.
I had a moment a couple of weeks ago when I decided to truly not focus on the negative at all times. I mean, don't get me wrong, some stuff in this life just sucks and we need to take a moment and to process that, but it's about moving on and realizing that you have the choice to sit and sulk or try and change it. It isn't worth worrying about something you cannot change.

I have the chance to be the positive smile or thought that day for people here. And they have the chance to have a positive change in me. Both of these things have happened and it is beautiful.

If we remain negative, we disregard the chance to have beautiful encounters with people. We close ourselves off. If we close ourselves off, yes, we saves ourselves from hurt, but we also lose the opportunity to live fully and love fully. There are times, when we'll get burned, but this shouldn't stop us from giving the chance and from seeing the good. There is always good.