"I am Just Following the Rules..."

We have all heard this statement at some point in our lives - followed quickly by, "There is nothing I can do."  We all know what they really mean is, "I am just doing my job. I have a set of restrictions and guidelines to follow, predetermined by a higher authority, that have nothing to do with you or me - and everything to do with control." 

These rules are generally not safety measures nor are they set for anyone's best interest. They are standards that have no basis beyond regulating compliance to (frequently outdated) culturally accepted practices. 

I have found over the last eight years that people are utterly astonished when they hear me say, "yes, I can help, and this is what we can do." I find it equally confounding and gratifying, with a tiny bit of embarrassment thrown in, that those simple words can bring so much relief and gushing gratitude. 

I propose a new set of standards:

• Ask questions - first being, "how can I help or support you?"
• Listen with compassion and empathy (put yourself in the other person's shoes.)
• Know the rules - but, be willing to break or bend a few
• When a regulation makes no sense in a particular set of circumstances - find a way around it.
• Offer alternatives.
• Take personal responsibility.  
• Let your commitment to the concept of good for each individual, as well as the community, guide your decisions. (Always ask yourself - does following this path have the potential to hurt or adversely affect anyone?)  

I believe that all impactful, positive changes start from the bottom - at the very grassroots of society. When more people commit to the above list and adapt their viewpoints to helping and supporting individuals to be their best selves - not maintaining the status quo, we will ultimately, as a society, revise our definition of "I am just doing my job."

Weekly Creative Meditation

DRC News

Thank you to all of the families who have shared their stories and have trusted our guidance and philosophy over these past eight years.  You and your children are the reason we continue to make it our jobs to challenge and then redefine cultural norms.

Wishing you all a blessed and Happy New Year filled with joy and worthwhile work.