Nurse, Heal Thyself

Healing the self is the beginning of the healing journey.

How best to do this?

How have you been healed in the past, and how did it feel?

What spiritual practices have you previously practiced that brought you strength that you continue to use to raise your energy, to gather courage to meet the challenges of the job? and every other challenge of life!

If you no longer are practicing meditation or yoga or any other practice you once did regularly, what would it take to get back to the practice--without excuses!!

Just do it!! Ask your angels for assistance! They will be ecstatic that you remembered them.

You will be rewarded.

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Nothing is as it should be. And everything is exactly as it is.

The first statement implies resistence to the dance of life-- the second recognizes a situation for what it is, and acceptance oversees all.

I remember this as I walk into the confines of my hospital walls. We see scenerios all the time that we all proclaim, "NOT FAIR!!"

Who are we to say? But we certainly can say it is exactly as it is--no more, no less.

I have to ask myself: What is in the realm of my ability to help, to change the situation for the better, to help a grieving person, to give comfort and grace?

As I think of ways to help other people, I must be constantly on the lookout for all the ways I must heal.

Because I can't help anyone nor can I help myself as long as I judge, lack acceptance and resist everything that presents --disguised as problems --but truly are opportunities for growth and enlightenment.

And continue to take good care of myself, every moment along the way.

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"And what is as important as thinking," asked the Mind. "Caring," answered the Heart.

- Favio

As I age wisely, I've come to realize that Not Thinking is the heart of my own spiritual practice.

Everyday, I meditate, take long slow walks by the river that runs by my house, and do my entrainment brain exercises--giving my brain the same aerobic workout that the rest of my body enjoys with exercise.

And consequently, my mind slows down, and I feel at peace. I am taking care of myself, and can take better care of everyone else.

"Caring" is what a nurse does--in the framework of Being. We listen, give what is needed, take care of machines and do a lot of charting--not necessarily in that order.

Because of our ability to care in this state of Being, and ability as healers, others in the healthcare arena may see nurses as weak and as easy prey--to verbally abuse, to sexually harass, to make her think she is an idiot.

This is what needs to be healed within our profession. We need to take back our strength and our courage. We need to stand together, a nd protect the new nurses coming in. We need to create a forum to make sure our voices are heard.

And continue to take good care of ourselves, every moment, with every breath.

by: Kate Loving Shenk