Supergirl

According to a personality test I took several years ago, I am an "idealist." The description of "idealist" on my test results stated that I see the good in people and situations and believe that those same people and situations can become even better. I also believe, according to this test, that I can personally make a difference in the betterment of people, situations, and our world in general.

At this moment, as I sit here staring at my lonely computer, I ponder whether or not the same results would materialize if I took that personality test today.

I know that I got into my profession because of the idealism that underpins my personality. Certainly, the paycheck was not the reason that I used my college and graduate school years to become an educator. No, I am confident that I am sitting in this windowless office because I arrogantly believed that I could help people who could not otherwise help themselves.

I say "arrogantly" because today I recognize that helping people must be a mutual endeavor. In the end, it does not matter what I do by myself.

I have a huge heart for helping people who lack the resources--both financial and otherwise--to rise above their circumstances. Specifically, my compassion is directed at helping the poor and neglected members of our society. Even more specifically than that, I'm interested in helping the youth of that poor and neglected social group. So here I am--a school counselor with ideals that are slowly being tarnished by the people I came to "save."

Supergirl I am not. Supergirl would be able to lift everyone up to a higher place. I can't even lift one without some desire on their part to be lifted.

The cliche is true: you can't help those who don't want to be helped. When I try to offer help, my efforts are often slapped down by the very person whom I'm trying to assist. When my efforts are not slapped down, they are either not recognized at all or not accepted as good enough. Surprisingly, even some of the people who seek assistance at the same time think that they are entitled to even more. I guess a sense of entitlement is a by-product of living in the United States.

In spite of daily rejection, I get up in the dark each morning and drive to work with some blind idealistic hope that today I will make a difference.

Posted by Kim at September 27, 2005 02:15 PM