Unveiling

Well, as I have told you, there is a BIG announcement to come. Well after two meetings with one guy, one meeting with two guys whose opinion I trust better than my own, long thought, not to mention some prayer and meditation looking for the answer to my question..... I have decided to go for it!

That being said, start the drum roll.... I have a second job. Wow put like that I guess all the suspense was over dramatic and a let down, sorry. Most of you know that I work with the kiddies, and if you don't read some past posts. What I haven't shared with you is that I also live in a sober house for men. The reason I have stayed there so long has changed several times. First it was I had no drivers license and it was convenient. Second became school, very close to school and my responsibilities are minimal there and it just worked. Well the owner approached me a few days ago and told me that he has no time to run the place anymore. I personally think that he is frustrated because dealing with people in early recovery is a real handful. I can honestly say that the inmates have taken control of the asylum, and if Daryl doesn't take a break he's gonna end up in an asylum himself!

I have been helping him for a while because I gotta live there too and didn't want to bounce my head on any padded walls but I have been doing this strictly for a few perks here and there. But now he is stepping aside and needs help. I laid out certain requirements that I had one by one (and there were many because there are some things wrong that need fixed for my name to be on this) and I laid out how I would like to be compensated (and yes I was more than reasonable and fair) and on each and every point that I made his response was either it's totally up to you do what is right, or no problem. You know this was a business meeting(although between two good friends) I really expected it to be a negotiation... But it wasn't at all.

There are gonna be several people who just don't like me because they are used to running the place and some of them aren't qualified to run a microwave. Some will adapt to living within the rules as I will lay them out, and some will be looking for a different place to live.

I spoke with my mentor and friend who also does this type of work about the guilty feelings associated with telling someone they have to move out right now. He shared a few things with me. First set expectations, he doesn't throw anyone out, they throw themselves out because they know what is expected. Second don't take responsibility for peoples success when their lives change because I didn't change them. Also don't take responsibility for peoples failure because they fail themselves. Third and most important you don't have to treat everyone the same because people are different, but they all need to be treated fair.

Well that's it for now, I have some serious planning to do. Have a great day and remember... You'll never know how big someone else's smile can get till you give them one of your own!


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