My initial description after my first day at common art was that I’d had a “suspiciously” good day. That is, I had such an interesting and fun time, it seemed a bit too good to be true for my first day at an internship. Wasn’t I supposed to be filling papers or organizing supplies? Instead I was instantly immersed in a community of interesting individuals, all of which with a unique perspective and many of which eager to share their art with me. Time flew by as I connected with members of the clergy, staff, and community; admittedly, I had a difficult time pulling myself out of any one conversation. I returned to Emmanuel Church three more times, once for common art and twice for BostonWarm and I’m happy to report my suspicions have disappeared; I am thankful to be at an internship that is both “too good” and true.

That said, I’ve learned my first lesson. Or, at least, I’ve recognized the first skill I need to hone: listening. This isn’t to say I don’t listen. After all, I’m going to school for therapy, so I’d like to think I have at least a solid foundation of active listening skills. Rather, I’ve realized that I must learn to navigate conversations to involve more of me listening and less of me talking. Instead of responding to discussions with a relatable quip or an “oh! That reminds me”, my new goal is to employ the “WAIT” (Why Am I Talking) principle. I love to talk and I always have but being able to converse is only a small part of what makes someone a good therapist. When employing the WAIT principle, I am learning to determine if people would be better served in the moment if I was listening rather than talking (which is often the case). A related bit of wisdom I received from The Rev. Werntz in relation to talking was “mind your wake.” It is essential to consider the impact of what you say and the waves it can cause in others. These two pieces of advice are only the beginning of what I believe will be a very educational experience.

9-26-19, Amanda Ludeking