Self-Care A-Z: Not the Post I Planned

by Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE, lead co-editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals 

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Do Not Be Daunted

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.

                                                                   –The Talmud

     Religion is a potent form of power. It is used for tremendous hurt and harm, as well as, hope and healing. Religious practices and, more broadly, spirituality are important aspects of self-care for many. (Personal disclosure: I have two seminary degrees and taught at and was ousted, along with colleagues, from a seminary. I’m a Zen Baptist, emphasis Zen-ny!)

     Recent news includes assassination attempts on public figures and moves to erase “trans” as a category of personhood. In my home-town, Louisville, KY, a white man killed two Black people at a grocery. Reportedly, the shooter said, “White people don’t kill white people,” and video recorded him attempting to enter a predominantly Black church moments before the shooting.Then, another white man assassinated eleven people and injured six others in a synagogue attack in Pittsburgh, PA.  

     Reflecting on the above quotation attributed to The Talmud (and Micah 6:8) is part of my self-care these days. The statement is directed to justice seekers—that’s us, social workers! Although I didn’t plan to write it, I hope this reflection supports your self-care, too.

Do Not Be Daunted in Doing Justice: Be Present, Be Humble

     These current times are extraordinarily toxic, especially for those of us doing justice! (I invite you to revisit my post on radical self-care in toxic times.) “Daunted” is an accurately encompassing descriptor! Thesaurus synonyms capture what so many of us feel these days: “intimidated, alarmed, frightened, overwhelmed.”

     So, how can we not be daunted? Part of the self-care answer lies in a key word repeated: “Now.” Be present to the moment. Do justice in this moment. Love mercy in this moment. Walk humbly in this moment. Be!

     Release the need to control the outcome. Letting go requires humility. Remember that you’re not obligated to complete the work. Certainly, we can become immobilized by the enormity of the work and feel nothing we do matters. Conversely, we can be overcome by feeling over-responsible. Change occurs through a chain of events. Humbly, I am not the chain; I am a link in the chain. Being the best “link” requires self-care—including loving mercy—lest we burn out and “abandon” the work.

Love Mercy, Sustain Joy

     What does it mean to love mercy? A favorite book from my seminary days (To Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly, by Brueggemann, Parks, & Groome) interprets this phrase as “love tenderly.”  How does one love tenderly?  By recognizing vulnerability, engaging loving-kindness, learning compassion—starting with oneself.

     Christine Grimaldi’s excellent article reiterates how self-care is integral to doing social justice work.  I chose “Joy” as my 2018 word. I’m finding, even amidst this toxic year, joy is everywhere. Grimaldi synthesizes advice on self-care from an array of activists.  She quotes Rep. John Lewis: “Joy is one of the best forms of resistance. The other side wants to see us demoralized....” Grimaldi declares,”Self-care is Joy!”

     Perhaps, the antonym and antidote for “daunted” is “joy.” Amidst our shared grief, do not be daunted, my friends. Practice radical self-care, Joy-fully...and do justice! VOTE!

Peace, Love, and Self-Care,

Erlene

Dr. Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE is a Partner in The Wellness Group, ETC.  This LLC provides evaluation, training, and consultation for organizational wellness and practitioner well-being. Dr. Grise-Owens is lead editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals.  As a former faculty member and graduate program director, she and a small (but mighty!) group of colleagues implemented an initiative to promote self-care as part of the social work education curriculum. Previously, she served in clinical and administrative roles. She has experience with navigating toxicity and dysfunction, up-close and personal! Likewise, as an educator, she saw students enter the field and quickly burn out. As a dedicated social worker, she believes the well-being of practitioners is a matter of social justice and human rights. Thus, she is on a mission to promote self-care and wellness!