Jono, meet Lifeline.

Far out, this weekend has been intense.... my eyelids feel like lead weights.
I've just started the 12 week training course in preparation for working for Lifeline.
So, "What is Lifeline?" you may be wondering, and rightly so.
Well.... it's a non-profit, voluntary organisation that offers 24 hour counselling services.
I recently applied to become one of their phone counsellors.

Anyway, the trainings will take place over a 12 week period - a mixture of Friday evenings and days during the weekends. I've had this lined up for a wee while now, but haven't told a whole bunch of people as yet. It feels quite different, now that I've started it - something tangible, rather than just a thought, which is a bit weird actually. I've been a bit anxious about it, but excited as well. Its pretty cool for me to be doing something like this, and a bit surprising in a way - volunteer work has not been a huge priority of mine in the past. But it's interesting where life's paths lead us.

I had my interview/induction a couple weeks ago which was pretty tough. I was really happy to make it through, although I'm also quite sure that was the easy part...

This weekend has been pretty full on, emotionally draining. Most of the time has been spent on self awareness.... its a really important thing for anyone to work on, but especially so for counsellors. I've also met some amazingly talented people - the trainers - as well as my core group - there are 6 of us, and we'll be together for the rest of the training. With the depths you get to with these people, in such a short time, it doesn't take long to become pretty damn tight, but I'm sure we'll get to know each other even better over the coming months. It was quite a priviledge to hear everyone's story, as well as have them listen to yours.
Although I must admit, I did consider mine less dramatic in general compared to everyone elses... but everything is relative... we all have (or create!) different levels of complexity in our lives. I also noticed though, that what actually happened, is of far lesser consequence than how it made you feel inside. (ok, ok, woops - getting a bit touchy feely there...).

So I guess this is a part of that new chapter I'm writing. Let's see how it turns out.

On a totally separate topic, if you want some entertainment, read this.
(Its my summary of an Orienteering race I had recently - which was just an absolute disaster!!!)

Oh, and I also got to the cinema to watch Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds'. It's awesome. Tarantino is back on form - and I highly recommend :)