Parting Wisdom...this moment...

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life.  But there was always some obstacle in the way.  Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid.  Then life would begin.  At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."                              ~Fr. Alfred D'Souza

 One thing I have enjoyed as a nursing instructor is getting to know the students that I teach each semester. After all, someday these young men and women will be my colleagues! How exciting and possibly frightening is that? Always it is a little reluctantly that I pass them on to the next class, only to later watch them walk across the stage to get pinned, ready to start their 'new' life in nursing.

Today as I readied to again say goodbye, I found this quote. How apropos. I, too, have had these same feelings....when I finish school, when I get this job, when I .... We can all finish this statement many ways at any given time of our lives. The reality, as pointed out by the author, is that real life is now, this moment, this day. The joy, the fulfillment, the life is in the journey. Enjoy and embrace it.
~ Mrs. H

Rummaging...and finding unexpected beauty...

I have a hard time throwing away cards and letters from patients and co-workers. Every now and then, I probably need to watch the show "Hoarders, Buried Alive" to keep me on track. Today, however, as I was rummaging through lots of 'stuff'... I found a lovely surprise.

Ferreting through volumes of papers, querying do I really, seriously needed to keep them all? (Really, probably not but yes I will). I came across this poem, which I will post for safe keeping and to share with others who may too find inspiration from the words.

This is a simple reminder by 'Saint Therese of Lisieux' also known as 'Little Flower of Jesus'. She became a nun at age 15 joining the cloistered Carmelite community in Lisieux, Normandy. She died of tuberculosis at age 24.

As a nurse, I am shocked and humbled, that one so young died of tuberculosis, that she could sacrifice so much and write so beautifully in such a short time. This touches and humbles me. Here are her words...

"Christ has no body on earth but ours,

No hands but ours,

No feet but ours.

Ours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.

Ours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. 

Ours are the hands which He is to bless His people."

~ Therese of Lisieux ~

What will we leave behind us of eternal significance, 

I wonder? 

~ The Motto ~

 

       I slipped away to Charleston for the weekend so I could graduate with my Masters in Nursing Education... Yay, finally! Carrie and Jordan had reserved a suite at the Ansonborough Inn for us all. It was so beautiful... Built in 1901, it was originally a paper warehouse. Huge exposed beams graced the ceilings lit by exquisite chandeliers. It was expansive and yet quaint. Lining the hallways and rooms were gorgeous original oil paintings, everywhere. Though I can be creative, an artist I am not, however, I possess the soul of an artist. I was enthralled with the beauty.

       After settling in, we went and ate at Hyman's Seafood. I love Hyman's. In the first place, I'm not sure that there is anyone anywhere that hasn't eaten there. All the tables have brass tabs indicating who sat there at some point in time... Neil Armstrong, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and all sorts of other famous individuals. While there, I picked up a card with their motto. It was written by Chuck Swindol and I'm going to post it here... It resonates with me.

~ Attitude ~

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

By Chuck Swindol

       It is clear that this is Hyman's motto. Every time we have ever eaten there, the owner has spoken to us personally... not because we are anything special but because he sincerely cared about our experience in his restaurant. Imagine if we all cared as much... each moment, each day... imagine...

Take my hand and follow me...

Over the last year, I have learned so much. I still have so much more to learn but hopefully I can begin the next leg of my journey at a kinder and gentler pace.

To all the nurses out there, be aware that in the next 10 years 50% of all nurses and nurse educators will be retiring. We need more nurses who love what they do to commit to return to school to help educate our next generation of nurses.


~ When you teach your son, you teach your son's son.  ~The Talmud

Nurses 'get' to be with others during the most private, joyous and heart rendering times of their lives. I love what I do and have done. Now it is time to inspire others.


~ The mediocre teacher tells.  The good teacher explains.  The superior teacher demonstrates.  The great teacher inspires.  ~William Arthur Ward

Over the next year I will continue to chronicle my adventures in nursing education, as a pediatric nurse, a pediatric nurse educator and hopefully as a future doctorate student. However, I would love to look back and share some of what I have learned.  To all my wonderful teachers at Charleston Southern University, thank you.


~ One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.  The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.  ~Carl Jung


Students, fellow nurses and colleagues, take my hand and follow me...


 ~ We have two lives - the one we learn with and the life we live after that.  ~Bernard Malamud, The Natural

 May we aspire to be  excellent in all we do ...