:: M squared T ::

:: Friday, July 11, 2003 ::

CPE's good for something after all...

[Note: CPE is the chaplaincy internship I'm involved in at the hospital here. It's supposed to be an intense learning experience. Intense? Yeah, crazy is more like it!]

There's something a bit daunting about entering a patient's room sometimes. At least that was the way it was for me the first few days of CPE. All the "what ifs" start coming up... all the social phobia stuff.

The first few visits I made I was a nervous wreak. Now I might still be daunted at times, especially by people diagnosed as "confused," but I'm a lot less nervous to just jump in and visit.

Overcoming this social fear has been a great leap forward for me. I have gained the confidence to go up to new people with a lot less fear. This has lowered my general anxiety level, I believe. (This is not to say I don't find other things to be anxious about.) But it has helped me meet my neighbors, whom I have been wanting to meet. And I've discovered that it's thrilling to do so. I'm meeting some really interesting people. As I meet people I can learn how to serve them in the name of Christ. And that will be even more thrilling!

:: Matt 7/11/2003 11:13:00 PM :: permalink :: ::
...