Passion Project Week 3: How can I help?

I wrote a poem some years ago titled, "Daffodil Fingers." It goes like this

Daffodil Fingers

Can you see her there? An ancient friend,

standing against the cold, smiling despite

Winter's assumed authority.

Now is my time

She sings, like whispered rain,

reminding me to pray for a

new heart and eyes.

The poem sprung from a walk to work. It was early February. There was a dusting of snow. Poking out of the snow were three green fingers of something like a crocus or a daffodil. At the time it was such a lovely reminder that hope is always alive.

I'm still so early in this passion project, but already I seem to see the early signs of a new season. I feel deep gratitude for my community and network. Their time and feedback are invaluable. I learn from every question. I am inspired by their ideas for implementation. I am energized by their encouragement.

Perhaps the most profound moment this week came after an email interaction with a friend from graduate school. He has passion and vision, and says things in such a way that you believe anything is possible. As we wrote back and forth discussing the usefulness of this curriculum structure for the juvenile justice system, I was reminded of how I started my counseling practice.

In 2021, everyone in Oregon was still on lock down. People we either terrified or annoyed by the uncertainty of the pandemic. And this was the point at which I was going to start my practice and change life for my family and me -- someday we'll talk about how I love doing hard things (for reals). A colleague tells me, 'oh man, Slade you are going to get clients no problem!' Well there was a problem, I wasn't contracted with ANY insurances, which meant that people weren't exactly banging down my door to work with me.

I sat in prayer on this issue and studied my community. I had recently read the biography of Russel M. Nelson, the late President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In the biography, he shared experiences of how the Lord opened doors for the church to help in countries and areas that were not friendly to outsiders. He simply asked them how the church could help.

If that method was good enough for an apostle of Jesus Christ, it was good enough for me.

Immediately I contacted local doctors, our juvenile justice department, teachers, and fellow counselors. I asked them one question:

How can I help?

This question opened so many doors. We talked about their needs, fears, hopes, and interest in really making an impact. I developed real relationship with these community leaders instead of just peddling my skills. In turn, these leaders asked me what I was doing, my ideas for change, and how I planned to help. That year of developing connections laid the foundation of what made the practice sustainable today.

At this point in my passion project progress (yes the alliteration is on purpose), I feel impressed to ask my friends, community leaders, and potential partners the same question: how can I help. I believe in the course and the future courses I will develop, but I really do want world peace and hope I am not too proud to listen before I make suggestions.

Thank you, Justin for helping me slow down and remember my roots.

Here's the short list of things I've learned this week:

• Prayer remains an action word.

• Letting go means opening yourself up to new opportunities.

• New opportunities will require you to utilize previous experience.

• I might not have any participants, but I have what I need for now.

• You should always have someone who thinks you are amazing -- I think I shared that a couple weeks ago, but it is still true.

• Leaving work at the office and being present with the kids does make the day better.

• You can work yourself to death, but you still have to wash your underwear.

• Sharing your story is hard, and sometimes tedious, but if you don't no one will know about it.

As of today, 10 October 2025, my marketing/networking stats are as follows:

CONTACTS

22

MEETINGS

8

CURRENT PARTICIPANTS

0/100

Note: my goal is to have 100 participants in six months for the course Personal Development for Professional Success

Catch you next week,

Slade