The light and the dark

Today I heard a description of a day in the life of a social worker in a families and childrens department where the top priority is child protection. There was much there that was not working well and it was not a fairy story of happy families. It also shed light on the lives and pressures on social workers doing this work. Despite it all, the person relating the story talked of their passion and love for their work despite the circumstances. Long days, stresses and strains, working with the bureaucracy and having to reshuffle diaries and arrangements when child protection takes priority. The story revealed the darker side of life and humna nature and what young children today often live with each day and have therefore as the building blocks of their future lives.

Yesterday was a sharp contrast to the story today. I was involved in a barbecue and family gathering to celebrate the first birthday of a little girl who is part of a happy nuclear and extended family. She was showered with gifts and love and I sincerely hope that she continues to be showered with lvoe throughout her life.

So what does appreciative inquiry have to say to us about these situations? It tells us that they both exist, they are both real, and that in each situation something works and can be built upon for the future. There are lots of people and agencies out there supporting and workign with families and children. They need whole communities helping and supporting them. We are all responsible for the society that we live in and responsible for making it a better place for the future generation to grow up in.

What one small or simple step could you take today or tomorrow that would help towards that?