Green River Trip

I love my job! Some days it is hard and I feel very underpaid. Some days I feel like I just suck. Some days I feel heartbroken for girls and the families I work with. Most days though, I feel accomplished and like I'm doing something that actually matters. Most days I have pride in the progress my girls are making, the work that my team puts into the girls, and how far I have come in being a mini-therapist! And sometimes I just love my job because we get paid to do fun things- like go on a 3 day camping and river run adventure! 

The second night that we were at Green River, all the therapists put on a "spirit guide ceremony". It was so cool! There's no way describing it could do it justice. The location of the ceremony was so serene... the sun setting, the wide and calm river, the tiki torches, the circles of people, God's architecture in the background. The ceremony was based off traditions of Native Americans who once lived in the area. Therapists picked a spirit animal guide for each of their girls and their parents and presented the girls with a charm of their animal and a 30 second explanation of why it's fitting. 

After the girls and families went to bed, staff got to go back to the ceremony ground and in a much more casual way, be presented with their spirit animal. 

The spirit animal guide I was given is the beaver.

• "Beaver qualities include being a do-er- willing to do what it takes to get the job done. The work you do contributes to the greater good. You'll stick with a task until it's completed, no matter what obstacles may appear. You are very loyal, resourceful, organized, and focused."
• "Learn from the beaver when you want to bring your ideas and goals into reality, when you want to resolve conflicts with people around you, or when there is a job to be done."
• "When the beaver shows up, it means this is a time for purposeful and directed activity. Don't be busy for busy's sake; let your actions be focused and intentional. It's time to change your environment in a way that makes you feel more secure and comfortable."

Also, speaking of work, I'm a little stressed with how short-staffed we are right now! Let me know if you know of anyone looking for a part-time job!