One of the many things I am growing to appreciate about my volunteer time at Ijams Nature Center is how much it is helping me.

In my professional life I worked with some of the most challenging students in society - drug addicts, alcoholics, rapists, child molesters, children with serious emotional issues, children with limited intellectual ability, and on and on. One thing I feel I was successful at was treating them with respect. I was able in many cases to work with them to establish and maintain a mutually respectful relationship; I believe that was something of value that I was able to offer.

Even so, over the years I, without realizing it, and in spite of my efforts at creating a safe and respectful atmosphere, was developing a seriously skewed view of what normal was. A successful day was one in which I did not have to break up any fights or deal with being called a four-eyed asshole (or worse) or defend myself against physical attack. Not to mention having to deal with angry, mistrustful adults.

LIke I said, a seriously skewed perception of what normal was.

In my time at Ijams, sitting at the front desk, I see and interact with children and adults of all ages and from all over the world. Fistfights, cursing, and the like are not part of my day. This happens day after day.

Normal is not just the absence of violence, I am being reminded. Enjoyment, curiosity, pleasure in interactions with others - all this is also normal.

I have seen plenty of the dark side of life; I needed to see the other aspects of life as well. I needed that more than I knew.

Its good to be able to let down my guard a little.