We had

a great weekend at our Lay Formation retreat. I'm trying hard not to do a 'superior dance' right now, as that would nullify any good effect of the weekend.

One of the speakers, who we had about 6 hours with, is a priest and medical bio-ethicist. He was the only one in Western Canada for years, and a terrific man whom I knew fairly well prior to this weekend. He's always a popular speaker. He's a learned, kind, compassionate person with a terrific speaking ability.

A little background before I continue: One time I was explaining to someone (who shall remain nameless to maintain anonymity) how I often received more from my volunteer work in Spiritual Care than the patients I saw did, in an attempt to describe how much I received from it. The person told me that no I didn't, I couldn't, in the a tone that said I was speaking with exaggeration or hyperbole. I wasn't, but it was just another instance of having my personal experience invalidated by an 'expert'.

So, today the speaker mentioned specifically that it was his experience that people in Spiritual Care often felt that they got more out of their work than the patients, and that he believed that that was true. As I reflected on this memory of the discussion, I realized that the person I had been speaking with was in the room! I felt vindicated. It was a fine moment for me, as I'm so tired of having my opinions and experiences invalidated by those who believe they know more because they're 'experts'.

I don't want to gloat. I don't want to necessarily feel vindicated, because I know I'm going to be crushed back down again soon by someone else who holds their credentials over me like a bludgeon, but it was a nice moment.

I smiled to myself ...