First Official Journal Entry

I started this blog to talk about my internship.  I have a journal requirement, which has turned into a really nice way to reflect on what's been going on, and this blog is the manifestation of that requirement.  Most of the posts are ones I get to write freely, but I have an assignment for my first journal. 

My first official journal entry assignment: 

"Design a personal mission statement and a professional mission statement along with two personal goals and two professional goals to be addressed during your internship." 

For this, I had to look up what a mission statement entails, precisely.  The best explanation I can come up with is a compilation of definitions from several sources, in my own words: a mission statement outlines your personal philosophies, beliefs, and ongoing goals that you have for yourself.  It's not necessarily all summed up in one sentence, but it's a succinct description of who you are and the bridge to who you want to be. 

Professional Mission Statement

In my profession, I desire to provide excellent music therapy using evidence based techniques for a variety of clients throughout my career.  It is important to me to display unconditional positive regard for my clients, despite what they might say or do, and to treat all clients and their family members with dignity and respect, validating their personhood.  My desire is to interact with clients in a manner that shows them care and affection, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Personal Mission Statement

In my life, I strive to extend grace, acceptance, and compassion to those with whom I interact.  I want to continuously live at peace with the people around me and shine Hope in dark places.  I feel it is important for me to be open and honest with myself and others, viewing my past as part of the development of who I am, without allowing past failures or shortcomings to define who I become.  I never want to stop learning and growing - spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and socially. Finally, my desire is to learn to view the world with the same love and mercy that Jesus does.

Personal and Professional Goals

I discussed my goals in the last post, which you can view here.  The blog is pretty long, but the goals are at the bottom.  Here is a summary of what I said and which category they fall into. 

Professional Goals

• To expand my awareness and knowledge of this population and of mental health issues in general
• To engage with clinicians and clients to dialogue and glean from their experiences, wisdom, and diversity
• To improve awareness and practice of self-care techniques as I transition from student to professional
• To build a solid repertoire of songs and interventions to use in music therapy.

Personal Goals

• To embrace challenges, and challenge myself
• To find a personal rhythm with which to balance professional, personal, and spiritual growth. 
• To expand my awareness and knowledge of different cultures, values, beliefs, and world views. 

This is my fourth week at the hospital and I am beginning to co-lead groups, which is great but also nerve-wracking.  I feel like I'm constantly learning something new, which somehow makes it hard for me to describe what I've learned.  I keep thinking, if I get through this session, this day, this week, I'll have time to process.  But I guess that's part of why they emphasize how quickly internship goes: you don't have time to sit back and process, so you have to just become a sponge, and keep taking it all in as you go.  

My first month almost over... it feels like it has not been NEARLY this long.  Each day, I realize how much I still need to learn about my profession, about the facility, about people around me.  It's not til I look back and reflect that I see how many things I've picked up.  I am learning my way around, and did not get lost once this week - yet.  I got to play guitar for two different groups this week, and I didn't screw up.  In fact, I think that comparing my confidence and ability to where I was at, musically, a year ago - or even six months ago - I can see how much progress I really have made.  I got to witness some good, some bad, and some interesting interactions this week.  

I am finding my rhythm.  I am creating my path. 

<3 bethany

Hours down: 155

Hours to go: 855