Oh the things that inspires us to blog…
I often find myself itching to document my day at work
because it’s just so dang entertaining. While most of my stories revolve around
those that utilize the EM services, today, I am urged to communicate a
different type story/challenge.
It all started when I walked over to the Men’s Social
Service office, where my good friend/co-worker Jeffrey Tennant is stationed. As
I do upon most greetings, I managed to regurgitate all of the morning’s events
(you know normal stuff, like investigating who is defecating in the shower,
conducting 7 drug tests while attempting not to spill urine on myself, and
praying that we have enough beds to house all the needs for the night).
Jeffrey patiently listens, but often has his own set of
issues. We listen to each other. Quinton “Q” Williams also joins us from time
to time.
I can’t quite remember the context of the conversation, but
Jeffrey decided he would include me in on a previous debate between he and Q.
You see we, at the Eugene Mission, aren’t really attached or too proud to change
things. If something isn’t working, we tend to strategically figure out a new
or better method.
Jeff’s suggestion: eliminate disallows (asking those who are
not manageable to leave) and implement the “tickling policy.” The current
dialogue and thoughts are why I am a fan and will support Jeffrey’s platform.
Jeff: “Q didn’t like my idea of creating a ‘tickling policy’
rather than disallow.”
Holleigh: “So you’re suggesting we tickle uncooperative and
sometimes violent guests instead of disallowing them?”
Jeff: “yes, tickling is painful, my family used to hold me
to the ground and tickle me.”
Q: (with a very sincere and almost distraught expression) “I
don’t have enough people tickling me in my life.”
While this may just be an ordinary conversation, it
represents so much more than what meets the eye. You see, I recall being tickled
when I was young and it was painful. But through the pain and torture, I could
not help but release an innate response of laughter.
In the context of this conversation, Jeffrey is suggesting
that tickling be used for accountability.
While I’m not sure that tickling is the most appropriate technique to
encourage accountability, it is obvious that accountability is absolutely
necessary among the population we work alongside and to be perfectly honest, it
is necessary for us. However, it’s important that we figure out a way to
produce effective strategies to hold individuals accountable.
What I’ve noticed is that accountability requires
genuineness and love and for some reason, we humans can’t seem to figure out
how to give and receive accountability in a way that does not leave scars.
How to love each other so much that we want people to move
away from things that aren’t producing anything positive in their lives.
The process of accountability is so tricky because it takes
a delicate balancing act of love, support, and truth.
Which leads me to reflect on the correlation between being
tickled and held accountable. The process doesn’t feel good but for some reason
(unknown to me) our body responds with an instinct of a sort of freedom (uncontrollable
laughter or bladder). It’s like you now have a reason to let loose, whether you
want to or not. When we're tickled we cannot hold anything back, we laugh
through the pain.
I can’t help but wonder if true, genuine accountability
could produce similar results. If we loved each other so much that we confront
somewhat painful topics head on, but find immediate freedom and joy when we
aren’t trying so hard to hold it all together.
The most interesting thought in the midst of this conversation
is Q’s response; “I don’t have enough people tickling me in my life.”
So my challenge is simply this:
Do you have people tickling you in your life?
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