Never has one of your comics struck me as more true, especially as a person with a disability. I’m expected to be unhappy, inspirational, ever patient, willing to part with my medical information with a smile to anyone who asks, plucky, desiring of a cure, “fighting” and certainly not just living my life.
The hardest thing to be is true to one’s self, and not to what others think you should be. To be true to one’s self requires more courage than just about any other endeavor.
this can also apply to lowly church employed youth workers or children and family workers (of which I do both, depending what time of what day you ask me!)
Just this afternoon I have been attempting to find some retreat centers locally that can ‘host’ me for a day – having just been told I can put a day ‘retreat’ into the agenda – ahh, how I need some ’stop’ time!
I agree with you here Tokah -especially as a person with a disability-, it’s as though seeing you as a person and asking for your views is just too challenging for people at times, its as though a health problem or a disability focuses people’s minds on ‘just how much of a saint’, they are in your eyes
also, for some reason it’s impossible for English people to acknowledge that life is hard for someone else – and if you don’t acknowledge a difficulty, it will disappear (where?)
well, from the sounds of it, i did this cartoon just in the nick of time. if you haven’t already, i would urge you to go and look at the naked pastor article on r & r… it is very relevant.
paul wilkinson… thanks for the empathy. the only time i ever feel misunderstood around here is when i’m referred to as a ‘cynic’… it has happened very rarely amazingly and there is always some kind soul ready to leap to my defense. i guess i sometimes feel the pressure of expectation to deliver a cartoon but i think that is mainly a self made pressure and one i am now savvy to.
i ran the last competition so that i’d have material for when i ran dry and am now much more relaxed about taking the odd day off from cartooning.
by the way, you peoples rants exceeded my expectations and you in turn can expect to see more of your own cartoons up on the blog soon.
oh… and sarah’s right… it is never worth it. just found out another vicar friend has been laid off for a month due to stress. it’s all very sad really.
Jon I love this one – slightly timely as I have the Head of RE job interview today as well(!) but hopefully I won’t feel this bad if I get it
I LOVE it laid out this way – more please
I was once told that the reason the pension scheme for ministers in my denomination is quite good is that so many burn out or die before retirement that there’s more to go round! What a cheery thought!
Timing is everything…so they say – well Jon the timing is spot on for this not just for me but for many others of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are called to the pastoral office of ordained ministry (not to say that I am glossing over the vital and oft overlooked work of volunteers…)
I pray for all of us in ministry that we would cast off the expectations of others and take on the expectations of God who says “come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”
OK, forget that last bit – I’ve just found the link (and thereby failed to meet the expectations of anyone out there who thinks I’m efficient, or even fully awake, most of the time. ;0))
not relevant to the ‘toon but further on from my earlier comment I got the Head of RE job! Woohoo This also means I can spend some money on commissions Jon
Awwww Carole. Thinking of you. Do you finish your practise soon for some R&R? I wish I were a primary teacher right now so I could share some resources and try to help ease your stress/fatigue.
(((((Carole))))))
Half term now so that is a relief. Then the final onslaught. Will I be able to convincingly evidence all 33 incredibly vague and wishy washy QTS standards? Tune in in 5 weeks to find out…
This is right where I am right now. Completely stressed and fatigued from trying to keep up with the expectations of others. Stressful project and haven’t figured out a way to recover quick enough on the weekends so I stay wiped out.
Thanks for the cartoon as a reference point.
Never has one of your comics struck me as more true, especially as a person with a disability. I’m expected to be unhappy, inspirational, ever patient, willing to part with my medical information with a smile to anyone who asks, plucky, desiring of a cure, “fighting” and certainly not just living my life.
Comment by Tokah — May 19, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
The hardest thing to be is true to one’s self, and not to what others think you should be. To be true to one’s self requires more courage than just about any other endeavor.
Comment by Mr. Nighttime — May 19, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Not to mention a very hard fall also.
Comment by James — May 19, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
This has struck a particular chord with me today….!
It’s a tough thing indeed.
Comment by Caz — May 19, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
very timely, just be ranting at my husband about how I feel completely taken for granted by others expectations of me.
Comment by soniamain — May 19, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
Just read naked pastors blog, rest- now that is what I need -thanks for the link.
Comment by soniamain — May 19, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
I’ll bet this also applies to certain cartoonists whose work constantly provokes many heated comments and great misunderstandings!
Comment by Paul Wilkinson — May 19, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
this can also apply to lowly church employed youth workers or children and family workers (of which I do both, depending what time of what day you ask me!)
Just this afternoon I have been attempting to find some retreat centers locally that can ‘host’ me for a day – having just been told I can put a day ‘retreat’ into the agenda – ahh, how I need some ’stop’ time!
Comment by Mark Burgess — May 19, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
I agree with you here Tokah -especially as a person with a disability-, it’s as though seeing you as a person and asking for your views is just too challenging for people at times, its as though a health problem or a disability focuses people’s minds on ‘just how much of a saint’, they are in your eyes
also, for some reason it’s impossible for English people to acknowledge that life is hard for someone else – and if you don’t acknowledge a difficulty, it will disappear (where?)
Comment by subo — May 19, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Good one – and also an encouragement for me today!
Comment by Mimou — May 19, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
well, from the sounds of it, i did this cartoon just in the nick of time.
if you haven’t already, i would urge you to go and look at the naked pastor article on r & r… it is very relevant.
Comment by jonbirch — May 19, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
Jon, I just don’t think I can handle the disorientation you gave me by turn the strip upright. Just doesn’t work for me. ;-P
Comment by jonathanbrink — May 19, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
BTW, I think this is one of your best EVER.
Comment by jonathanbrink — May 19, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
jonathanbrink… i am crushed by the weight of your dashed expectations.
oh… and thank you.
thank you tokah!
i’m sorry you have to endure such rudeness and ignorance. 
be encouraged mimou!
but sonia… i always thought you were a headless chicken crossed with a blue arsed fly who never needs sleep. should i lower my expectations?
mark burgess… take’em at their word and book in a 5 day retreat!
Comment by jonbirch — May 19, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
Don’t do it. It ain’t ever worth it.
Comment by sarah — May 19, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
paul wilkinson… thanks for the empathy. the only time i ever feel misunderstood around here is when i’m referred to as a ‘cynic’… it has happened very rarely amazingly and there is always some kind soul ready to leap to my defense. i guess i sometimes feel the pressure of expectation to deliver a cartoon but i think that is mainly a self made pressure and one i am now savvy to.
i ran the last competition so that i’d have material for when i ran dry and am now much more relaxed about taking the odd day off from cartooning.
by the way, you peoples rants exceeded my expectations and you in turn can expect to see more of your own cartoons up on the blog soon.
oh… and sarah’s right… it is never worth it. just found out another vicar friend has been laid off for a month due to stress. it’s all very sad really.
Comment by jonbirch — May 19, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
Thanks Jon!!
Well drawn mate!
Comment by Laura — May 20, 2008 @ 1:15 am
Jon I love this one – slightly timely as I have the Head of RE job interview today as well(!) but hopefully I won’t feel this bad if I get it
I LOVE it laid out this way – more please
Comment by dadube — May 20, 2008 @ 4:08 am
thanks jon- crossed with a fly and a chicken- and i always thought you were a charmer!
Comment by soniamain — May 20, 2008 @ 5:33 am
all the best fro the interview daudbe
Comment by soniamain — May 20, 2008 @ 5:33 am
I was once told that the reason the pension scheme for ministers in my denomination is quite good is that so many burn out or die before retirement that there’s more to go round! What a cheery thought!
Comment by AnneDroid — May 20, 2008 @ 6:35 am
Timing is everything…so they say – well Jon the timing is spot on for this not just for me but for many others of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are called to the pastoral office of ordained ministry (not to say that I am glossing over the vital and oft overlooked work of volunteers…)
I pray for all of us in ministry that we would cast off the expectations of others and take on the expectations of God who says “come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”
Comment by marcus — May 20, 2008 @ 8:05 am
all the best dadube!
annedroid. cheery indeed.
marcus. that’s a good passage. have you read the naked pastor post yet? it is excellent on this theme.
Comment by jonbirch — May 20, 2008 @ 11:00 am
have read it and am inwardly digesting it in the real hope of an outward manifestation of rest and peace and the freedom to be me in Christ
Comment by marcus — May 20, 2008 @ 11:31 am
Oh to be able to stop myself doing this!:0)
Can anyone point me in the direction of the naked pastor’s blog some of you think is so good – I’ve not come across it.
Thanks.
Comment by janetp — May 20, 2008 @ 11:43 am
OK, forget that last bit – I’ve just found the link (and thereby failed to meet the expectations of anyone out there who thinks I’m efficient, or even fully awake, most of the time. ;0))
Comment by janetp — May 20, 2008 @ 11:46 am
Comment by jonbirch — May 20, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
not relevant to the ‘toon but further on from my earlier comment I got the Head of RE job! Woohoo
This also means I can spend some money on commissions Jon 
Comment by dadube — May 22, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
cooool dadube!
congratulations!
i remember you when you were a nipper!
Comment by jonbirch — May 22, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Congratulations on the promotion Dadube. Good news, just what I need.
Comment by Carole — May 22, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Gee, thanks on and Carole
Must admit I’m dead chuffed…
Comment by dadube — May 22, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
ooops that should have said jon not on!!
Comment by dadube — May 22, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
hope all’s okay with you carole.
Comment by jonbirch — May 22, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Stress and fatigue. I’ll get over it. Your concern is appreciated, Jon. x
Comment by Carole — May 22, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Awwww Carole. Thinking of you. Do you finish your practise soon for some R&R? I wish I were a primary teacher right now so I could share some resources and try to help ease your stress/fatigue.
(((((Carole))))))
Comment by dadube — May 23, 2008 @ 3:55 am
Thanks, Dadube – I can feel the calming vibe..
Half term now so that is a relief. Then the final onslaught. Will I be able to convincingly evidence all 33 incredibly vague and wishy washy QTS standards? Tune in in 5 weeks to find out…
Comment by Carole — May 23, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
i hope you have a really good half term carole. not long, not long now…
x
Comment by jonbirch — May 24, 2008 @ 12:54 am
This is right where I am right now. Completely stressed and fatigued from trying to keep up with the expectations of others. Stressful project and haven’t figured out a way to recover quick enough on the weekends so I stay wiped out.
Thanks for the cartoon as a reference point.
Comment by Laura — July 20, 2008 @ 5:26 am