This morning I had the chance to speak with an RA from a school I used to work at, she was struggling with some issues regarding her choice of internship and her "career path". When the conversation was over she let out a huge sigh of relief and simply said "thank you so much for listening to me and helping me in my journey". It was one of those moments that just gave me the downright warm fuzzies.
After processing the discussion and her heartfelt thanks to me I realized - it's not me, it's my communities. Any time I've been given the chance to impact someone or a group of people and they take the time to thank me I need to stop and say - it's not me that's been of assistance...it's the me generated by the wonderful community of people I associate with. In my current position I don't get as many chances to have those impactful moments, but when I get them, boy do they feel great. As a younger professional I would bask in those moments as if me, and me alone, just did that...as I've matured a little bit I've realized it's not me, it's my communities. So the real question is when someone says thanks how do I say don't thank me, thank my community - the answer is that would be really awkward. But I can take the time out of my morning to send a thanks out to the communities who have helped shape me and have blessed me with the opportunity to help others.
Professionally I need to give a big shout out to: My AIMHO peeps (yes it's a real region). They have been my professional home as long as I've been a professional - can't beat that consistency. My ACUHOI peeps and my NHTI Alumni "support group" - who knew there were so many others out there just like me. The greater #sachat community (both their website and on twitter) - thanks for opening my eyes to the broader horizon and giving me an avenue to discuss ideas with a large audience. My colleagues and staff from all of the places I've studied and worked (Eastern Washington University, Montana State University, the University of Arizona) and going way back to my time as a young "buck" growing up and working for the Concrete School District.
Personally I need to give a big shout out to: My wonderful partner in crime Melany (@mdcrews) - she shares the same passion for the profession so knows that warm fuzzy feeling all to well. On the flip side she also knows, all to well, the struggles and frustrations of the profession. She keeps me grounded, keeps me modest and keeps me moving forward towards being a better professional and person. My family - my labor of love has led me to jump ship and travel around the country, taking me far away from them. Fortunately they understand my passion for what I do and know that it's a must. The distance from them is tough, but the connection I still have with all of them is just as strong as when I lived down the street. My friends - they have no idea what I do or why I do it, but they still are there to give me a laugh and keep me sane.
I guess the goal of all of this is say that when I get a warm fuzzy feeling for helping someone out I need you all to know that you deserve to share in that - so let this serve as my warm fuzzy thank you back out to you.
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