Met my friend in a meadow, down by the river, in a quiet snug. We had a good chat.

Turns out the night shelter pays more than any job I've had. They have bank staff I could join and he said I should easily be able to get a few shifts a week. He thinks I could go full time there potentially by summer. It'd be good to test the water.

He said I'd be perfect for the role there. I've known alcohol addiction, trauma, mental health etc. I readily empathise with people, and I naturally want to help. But I also know how dark things can get, and if I can make things a little brighter; if even for a night - then I would be happy to participate.

I want to make a difference. I enjoyed the breaks from routine in previous office jobs. Time-sensitive and pressing issues which had to be sorted out asap. These moments roused my brain and creativity.

Problem solving, to get a resolution sorted, and feeling satisfied once you'd rectified the issue. It's been the people who've mattered most in my jobs, and this would be a job that focuses specifically on people and helping them.

He also said there's lots of room for learning, courses, certifications and progression. Truth be told, a lot of those who struggle most are wonderfully sensitive and creative types who are in a profound amount of pain. I think I'd be honoured to be a part of a group which seeked to help ease people's struggles.
In life I naturally gravitate towards those who know pain. They are the most colourful and shadowy people you will ever meet, and we are drawn towards kindred spirits in this life.

I do realise that I will have to try and learn to empathise at more of a distance. Rather than allowing their sadness to become my own. But this is a good skill to see if I can improve, to help reign in my emotional sensitivity and fatigue. It might seem like going into the lion's den to have high empathy and willingly walk amongst so much suffering. But my gut is telling me that I can, and do need to help others - and in so doing I will be helping myself grow.