An “attitude of gratitude” is essential in our jobs as helpers. It is very difficult at times to view our roles in such a way that leads us to feel grateful for the opportunity we have been given, and yet a grateful attitude is essential for us to possess if we are to finish what we have started. There are days when our frustrations over “systems” boil over and we take those frustrations out on each other. There are other days when the gravity of the work we do seems too heavy to  carry, and we might let the weight we feel stop us from performing the essential tasks necessary to assist our clients. When we feel these “barriers to recovery,” it is vital that we turn around those negative emotions by focusing on the overwhelming privilege we have been given to serve others and to contribute to the overall health of our community. When we possess a spirit of Thanksgiving, we are able to meet the challenges we might face with each other, our clients, the bureaucracy, and the devastation that was left behind by Katrina. Furthermore, when we possess a spirit of Thanksgiving, we honor our calling to this work and are expressing our gratefulness for the opportunities each of us has been given.
With this spirit in mind, the MCMC project is pleased to announce that it has launched the “Adopt a Family” program, which seeks to facilitate an opportunity for others to express their thanks for all that they have been given by joining us in contributing to the families who continue to work toward recovery. I truly believe that an “attitude of gratitude” is nurtured by serving others, and I believe that there are still many individuals around the world who are willing to assist us in this critical Katrina recovery project. I find it interesting that the Greek word “charis,” is the root word for thanks, favor and forgive. One word, three distinct ideals; and yet all essential for a case manager – and everyone else, in my opinion – to understand and to model in our daily life. This week we should all work to forgive those who may have done us wrong, be thankful for the opportunity to serve a cause bigger than ourselves, and extend a hand of favor to those who continue to need us in their daily walk toward recovery.

Have a great week and bless you for all that you continue to do as a part of the MCMC project.

Stephen P. Carr II, MA,  MFT
Program Director
Mississippi Case Management Consortium

www.mc-mc.org
www.AdoptaKatrinaFamily.org