Spread the Love: 2021 Message from Region 11 Rep Sara Bazdlo

Hello Region 11 Social Workers!

Happy New Year! I continue to be amazed by all of you and the many ways you continue serve our community. We cannot deny that 2020 challenged and changed all of us personally and professionally. Many of us experienced moments where we were running on reserves and reached our capacity emotionally, mentally, and physically. There were times when it felt like our clients, communities, and families needed more than we were able to give. Transitioning into 2021, I hope each of you can find time to rejuvenate and reset. When thinking about how I wanted to approach this next year, I realized that giving and receiving love, support, gratitude are going to be absolutely essential. I hope you approach this next year with intention to show tremendous love for your self and the social workers around you.

Spread the Love

I remember a specific moment during the COVID-19 pandemic when I had experienced an especially awful and emotionally exhausting week. I signed onto my computer one morning to find an email from a coworker thanking me for coordinating care for a mutual client. The care coordination wasn’t groundbreaking or anything out of the ordinary (I was just doing my job) but simply being noticed by another social work colleague filled me with an overwhelming feeling of being seen and appreciated. My colleague may not have realized the profound impact her email had on me, but it was just enough to help me move through another day. This act of kindness encouraged me to be more intentional in expressing appreciation and gratitude for other social workers around me. This led me to think about The 5 Love Languages and apply them to social work practice. Starting this month, I encourage you to spread the love to your social work colleagues and friends because we can all use it and some may really need it.

If you would like to stay up-to-date with NASW Michigan professional events, trainings, and information please check the NASW Michigan Website, follow the NASW Michigan Facebook page, and request to join the NASW Michigan Region 11 Facebook Group.

Thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely,

Sara Bazydlo, LMSW-Clinical & Macro, CAADC

NASW Michigan Region 11 Representative Contact: sara.bazydlo@gmail.com