Rosehedge/Multifaith Works Blog

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Enhancing Connections to People

I was asked to write a letter to detail why I volunteer with Shanti, a program of Rosehedge/Multifaith Works.  What initially drew me to look for a volunteer position was a recent job loss.  Previously, the jobs I had always incorporated some sort of volunteering but nothing regular and I wanted to find an opportunity that would add value to my life.   I set out to find a volunteer position that would enhance and enrich the quality of my life.  When I came across the Shanti program the concepts of non-judgmental compassionate listening stood out to me, along with helping others that where suffering through challenging illnesses.

My grandmother died from cancer a few years ago and I wasn’t able to be with her as she transitioned from life to death.  I wished I had the opportunity to be there for her and I hoped this volunteer opportunity would give me a chance to fulfill that need for someone, and perhaps help me heal from the loss of my grandmother by providing emotional support for someone.  Additionally, I am a ‘people person’ and I thought the Shanti program would be a great fit with my interpersonal skills.   I submitted my application I was offered in invitation to attend the training with the hopes of becoming a volunteer.   During training I quickly realized that the ideas behind the Shanti model resonated with my personal beliefs and ideals.

After practicing the Shanti model of heartfelt active listening, I have incorporated aspects of the model as a way to re-conceptualize society.  The lines between disadvantaged or marginalized cultures and mainstream society is very present in my day to day life living downtown Seattle. Before, I would see homeless on the street and, not intentionally, I would almost see through them. But after the Shanti training I learned the metaphoric lines that separate mainstream society and those suffering from hardship are borders  that can be taken down and allow for a deeper relationship to develop with people all around me including my family, friends and,  causal interactions.   Understanding that we all at one time in our lives  will be subject to discrimination in some form or another has helped me to feel more at peace with my own anxieties and has enabled me to feel a connection to humanity.  In my life I have had experienced what it feels like to be subject to societal judgments  and with the tools I learned from Shanti training I have come to the understanding that none of us are immune to hardships in life.  Realizing this has enabled me to let my guard down and trust people more which has opened a completely new level of compassion and understanding of humankind.  By connecting people from marginalized sections of society I am able to form meaningful connects with others and on a larger scale I feel more in touch with my community.  Moreover, the Shanti model continues to teach me how to ‘let go’ of the need to fix others and myself for that matter.   Allowing others to make mistakes and be exactly where they are on the path teaches me to accept the present.
   
The relationships in my life have improved sense I have become a Shanti volunteer by enhancing the connections to people and thus the world around me I have a richer appreciation for my life and life in general.  Shanti has given me relationship tools that help me achieve my best self and for that I am incredibly grateful and thankful for this opportunity.

Sincerely,

 Christine Mesquita Phelps

Friday, September 23, 2011

3 Prongs

In my nine years as a volunteer on a Multifaith Care Team, I came to appreciate greatly that this was a unique experience due to the three “prongs” that each volunteer encounters.

The first “prong” is the relationship with the Care Partner.  Each Care Partner is so much more than a person with a disease.  At various times the team I was part of was matched with a writer, a florist and a computer whiz.  From these diverse persons I learned that while I could help with practical tasks such as rides to appointments and household duties, the most important thing I could do was to be there--- to sit quietly and listen as a person in both physical and emotional pain shared deep feelings and fears.  It was a privilege to be trusted in this way.

The second “prong” is the relationship with the other care team members.  I became friends with people I would never have met otherwise.  We were not all the same age, gender or faith background but we were united in our caring for someone who needed help. Sharing in this work caused quick and deep bonding.  In addition to team responsibilities we shared our own joys and sorrows and some fun meal times.

The third “prong” is the relationship with the Rosehedge/Multifaith works staff and other care teams. I believe it would be difficult to find people with more compassion and wisdom.  They gave me and the other team members much support and encouragement.

I cannot, by myself, make big changes in the world, but I found that I could, through the three prongs of the Care Teams, help one person in a big way.

Thanks to Jenny Phillips for this thoughtful reflection and nearly a decade as a CareTeam volunteer.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Through a Lens

I was recently asked to compose a letter describing my desire to volunteer as Rosehedge/Multifaith Works’ Professional Photographer. The first thought that came to mind was, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ The idea was introduced by a friend of mine that follows my work closely. When this idea was mentioned to me in passing, there was absolutely no hesitation on my part. I sent in my request to volunteer immediately and with the same promptness, I heard back from RHMFW with an enthusiastic “Yes!”


There are many reasons circling my desire to volunteer, but perhaps the most prevalent was that I simply wanted to learn from these individuals living with a disease that still remains incurable. I have suffered loss, I have suffered pain but nothing like the individuals I was about to take pictures of.


Every day, so many of us walk around feeling unstoppable, but even the strongest tree can be taken down. One immeasurable storm and that tree will be destroyed. These people living with AIDS are in the worst storm of their lives, but they keep fighting every day. We will never truly understand a storm so great unless faced with it ourselves.


As I took pictures of these people for the first time, I realized that I am not unstoppable. We will all be faced with a storm one day and it is not about how hard we get hit. It is about how hard we can get hit and keep getting back up.


I volunteered to show the world what we all so easily ignore. There are people living with AIDS all around us and these people need love now more than ever before.


Thank you Rosehedge/Multifaith Works for this opportunity and for teaching me the value of life.


Sincerely,


Crystal Eve

Crystal Eve Photography