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Monday, July 22, 2013

Dreaming about nursing school

OK, not dreaming as in wishing to be going to nursing school...rather, having nightmares about missing clinical shifts in nursing school.

A few nights ago, I dreamt that it was the first week of third year, and by Friday afternoon of that first week, I finally got around to looking at my class schedule (like that would ever happen in real life!!!).  And to my horror, I realized that I had missed a clinical shift on Thursday and I'd half-way missed the Friday shift, which was already in progress.  I had no excuse for the missed shifts -- just simply that I had not bothered to look at the schedule!  Yikes. That would not go over well with the clinical instructors -- and with good reason!

Anyhow, to make a long dream short, I finally realized that it was just a very bad dream, and woke up with great relief.  Blessed relief.  It is still only July, and third year classes are still several weeks away.  And, I have the fall schedule already printed off and am very much aware when my clinical orientation starts.

I just found it interesting that my brain is already thinking ahead to starting that dreaded schedule that third year promises to be.  It will be very interesting and I know I will learn tons, but getting through those eight months will be a marathon in itself. I'll just have to take it day by day, and not get all worked up about the big picture/schedule. 

One day at a time.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Lessons on Living, from the Dying

I came across an article recently in a French magazine, that talked about a palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware, who came up with her list of what the top five regrets were of dying people she was working with. I was going to translate the five regrets into English and post them, but today I found an English version of the article.

I believe there is so much truth to the five statements.  Personally, the first regret puts my career change in perspective.  That it truly was 'ok' to change careers even though I already had a great one going, and that ultimately, its 'ok' to be happy.  It's truly OK.  Really!

The five regrets are as follows:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

If I were to add one more to the list, I'd say, "I wish I'd been more grateful for what I already have."  I mean, its great to keep dreaming, growing, learning and experiencing new things. That's very important.  But at the same time, I think its also important to periodically look at just where you are in life, who is in your life, and what you already have, and just simply be grateful for it all.  I think most people are more blessed than they realize.

The link to the full article is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying

If you're interested, Ms. Ware wrote a book the topic:

Friday, July 5, 2013

This is brilliant!!!

I saw this article on our national news broadcaster - CBC - website today.

What a genius idea this is: http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2013/07/cleft-lip-puppy-counsels-kids-with-facial-differences.html

This is a dog somewhere in the US, born with cleft-lip.  He had surgery to allow him to eat.  Now this puppy visits with and counsels kids with facial differences. 

Lentil is a French bulldog born with a cleft lip condition who spends his days boosting the self-esteem of kids with similar ailments.

Simply genius!!!  Way to go, whoever came up with this idea.  :-)  I am so proud of people who do things like this for others.  Proud of people who see beauty and potential in everything and everyone.




Go Team Lentil!!!