First time jitters
Husband, father of an athletic son, and artistic daughter. Loves helping and uplifting others. When not working, I can be found building Lego sets, traveling with my family, and raising 4-H show pigs with the kids.
The jitters when doing something for the first time can be powerful.
Can you think back to your first day of school each year? The worry of not knowing if you will fit in or failing in the new year.
Go back and look in your mind to the first date with someone special in your life.
Remember that time when you started a new job and didn’t know anyone?
Those first-time jitters can be overwhelming and hard to overcome. They can paralyze you or make you run away. Fight or flight is an instinct that has been engrained with us for centuries.
I felt those recently when I started as the new marketing and communications manager here at Outreach.
This is a new chapter in my life. These are new surroundings, new faces, and names. New challenges that will enrich me and let me grow.
But, jitters....
Those jitters were quickly put to rest the second I hit the front door. Walking out of the building was a counselor who was picking up trash and getting ready to start the day for the youth. She was so welcoming and took me inside and showed me where to go.
Each new face welcomed me with genuine warmth, a smile, and compassion that was radiating with each person. Any worries or fears I had quickly slipped away and I could sense the compassion in the staff.
That made me think of those who come through the same doors as I did and are in need. The jitters I experienced I think would fail in comparison to what a youth must feel who is facing the challenges of homelessness.
The unconditional love I was shown is also what is given to our youth when they come for services. We will walk beside them and give them the guidance they need to not only enrich their lives as well as starting a new chapter to success.
If the staff eases my worries, I can only imagine the comfort they give to others.
I can’t wait to learn more about this incredible organization and be one that serves those in need.