growing

I have been in the field long enough now that I frequently get to experience the deep gratification that comes from watching someone really grow.  It's always a good feeling to support people as they move out of crisis, to see them begin to care for themselves, and then there's this next step.  They start to deepen in their commitment to themselves.  I am in a privileged position where I get to be part of the small, concrete, hard steps, the intermittent epiphany, the occasional return to the discouraging slog, and then, suddenly, the exhilarating thrill of swift and sure progress.  To watch people experience more freedom, to sit with them when they allow themselves to feel much deserved pride, to be part of their authentic growth, this is a great benefit of my position.