What makes a leader?

This idea of what is a great leader has been fumbling around in my mind for a long time.  What makes a great leader?

Is it charisma?  is it status? power? Money? social influence?

I am still not too sure, but the one thing that I think every great leader must have is a vision... a vision based on a value system that contributes to making the world a better place.

A great leader has a vision of what their world, their country, their region, or what their community could/ should look like and a leader wants to get to that place.

Personally, I want to see a world where the stigma surrounding mental health is eliminated.  Where fluctuations in mental health are seen as normal functions of daily life and not pathologized as an illness or moralized as weak or not normal.

I want to see my community support people with mental illness by facilitating them to be able to live and contribute to their communities.

I hope to be able to contribute this this goal.  But what is it going to take?  How do I get there?  Will you help me?

New Professional Looking Picture.

Hi!  This is a picture of me.  Maybe it adds a little bit of depth to my posts or maybe it just makes this blog slightly more personable as I try to navigate what it means to keep a blog updated, interesting, and personally meaningful.

Take care!

One day at a time.

Two things are on my mind now.

One, maybe I should change the title of this blog to "what people who are homeless can teach us" or "Re-learning the important lessons in life."

There are universal lessons that we can learn from other people that we meet.  For example, some clients at the shelter have reminded me to take life 'one day at a time'

What insight!  Just today, I was concerned about a particular interpersonal problem.  I have that client's message in my mind reminding me 'one day at a time'.  It is so simple- almost too simple ;)

One day at a time.

Men's Shelter- My First Day

So I just started a new job as a relief worker at a Men's Shelter in the GTA.  It is a great place and the men there are all interesting characters.  Even though it was only the first day, my initial impressions are that I am  going to have to develop thicker skin.  Also, the primary issues seem (repeat: seem) to be substance related as a catalyst for any mental health health concerns.

Now, I know that mental health to substance misuse has a Yin Yang relationship but this was a first impression, only.

There was also a very nice individual, lets call him Nathan, who was departing.  He offered to share his egg yokes with me for when I work out.  That was sweet!  He also tried to give me 2 small candles (like memorial candles).  I asked him why he wanted to give them to me, he said that he used these candles when he lived in an abandoned building and they gave him light.  I told him that it was very sweet but maybe those candles may still be able give him guidance when he moves into his new place.

All in all, it was a good first day.  Shift #2 is today!

Thanks for reading.

-J

Welcome to My First Blog Post

Welcome!

I hope to publish lots:

1. Social Commentary
2. Social Worky stuff
3. Mildly Interesting pictures.

Check back soon.

-Justin