Tag Archives: life

Life lately…

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So the wife and I are in the middle of a packing BLITZKRIEG. We have approximately 10 days to move 8 years of stuff out of our house and transplant it 90 miles to our new town house. All to be finished in one week’s time as of typing this post.

So every waking moment we’re not at work, we’re packing.

This morning I woke up in a zombie-like fog & haze. All I could think of was what I’m packing and carrying next. LOL

This is how I’m spending my nurses week.

 

HAPPY NURSES WEEK!! 

 

;)

 

Image Source: Google

Not everything is as seem..

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Via Karate Kid – YouTube

I was talking with my wife the other day about how some of life’s most important lessons that have ‘stayed’ with us the most are the lessons that were ‘taught’ to us without us even knowing we  were being taught. While I don’t think the character Mr. Miyagi is some secret life-altering guru of any sorts, his character in the 1984 “The Karate Kid” was probably one of the first instances that I can remember from my childhood where “Not everything is what is seems”.

That look on Daniel-san’s face in the above movie clip… yeah we’ve all had that moment at least once in our lives. And I’ll bet you remember the moment in vivid detail.

(sigh)

They just don’t make them like they used to huh?

Hope you enjoyed the video, I know I did.

 

I’m learning to live more in the now

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Being more than a nurse

Ever since I took the leap into this wonderful profession I have been caught up in the ‘next thing’ or the ‘next step’ in my career. If I wasn’t finding a better job that ‘fit’ my wants and needs I was out exploring the oh-so new world of nursing. I became a ‘sponge’ for any and everything I could experience. Those first couple years I was just getting my footing, trying to figure out what I didn’t want out of my new found career.

Once I found my niche, or my passion (Critical Care) I wanted to find the ‘next best thing’ in my specialty. I then leaped forward at becoming a certified nurse (CCRN). I took a lil’ time to breath but then jumped right back into the ‘next’ game by pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. The BSN lead me to where I am now pursing my Masters degree as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I think I always knew I would be a Nurse Practitioner some day, it was never a mater of if, but when.

Personal reflection can be quite educational. We get so caught up in the race to better ourselves and our situation that we literally DO stop ‘seeing the forest for the trees’. The details do matter, but are they really the only thing that matters?

So here it is 6 years later and I’m still playing the ‘next’ game. I’ve been so caught up playing that exhausting game that I’ve missed out on a lot of the ‘now’. I always came up with the excuse that I needed to ‘focus’ on my career (and my studies). I had to study for this, or research that. I look back now and think to myself, ‘boy did I sound like a broken record’.

I walled myself off from all the ‘now’ things to focus on the ‘next’ thing.

I’m not sure what happened, or what changed (I really wish I could put my finger on it), but I decided this summer I would stop playing so hard at the ‘next’ game and slowly reintegrate myself into the ‘now’.

I’ve missed too many family gatherings (birthday parties, holidays, etc.). I’ve passed on too many social outings. I’ve spent one too much time at being the perfect ‘student’ that I’ve failed miserably at being everything else (in my humble opinion). I’m trying to find (and regain) that balance.

I’m reaching out to old friends, spending more time with my wife and my family, and just trying to be a ‘sponge’ for life around me. How great can a career be, and how rewarding can this ‘calling’ become if I miss out on everything else that life has to offer? I’m forcing myself to take a small step away from being the bookworm and to concentrate more on my life.

I guess I’m being so reflective because I do not want to have any more regrets. I’d rather regret getting that B grade in a class (instead of an A), than regret not spending some quality time with the people that make my life worthwhile, or worse, lose touch with them.

I want my life to be more than just the sum of its parts, and as simple as it sounds, I’m learning to be more than a nurse.

Being more than a nurse | Scrubs Magazine

The pack-rat nursing student

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I jest at the reality of carrying ‘everything’ with you to and from class.

Packing your bags

No. I didn’t get fired. Heh heh.

This is yet another student quandary for all the student readers out there. Well I guess this could be for anyone, since at one time or another we have all been students – more specifically your time as a nursing student.

My first ‘stint’ as a nursing student, I utilized a locker for many supplies. I also attended classes and had my clinical fairly close to home. So supplies were not much of an issue for me. What didn’t fit in my bag(s), or what I couldn’t fit into my locker I would ‘store’ in my car – since the parking lot was only a jot down one block. Basically everything I ever needed was in ‘reach’, or was accessible with very little effort.

This time around the nursing school ‘block’ is a tad different. Grad school seems to always present new and interesting challenges for me (I could tell you some stories). The scary part is, I’m just now getting through my first year. I still have another 4 semester to go!!!!

Anyhoo…

Here’s my dilemma.

How in the world do you pack everything you need for your day of classes and/or clinicals without carrying around half a dozen bags? I’m trying to prevent the “I’ve moved out of my house” look while I’m on campus. It’s as if I’m packing for a long trip that never happens.

Right now I’ve whittle it down to just 3 separate bags. I’m toting around my backpack that has all my note taking materials, folders, class supplies, netbook, etc. The core of my ‘school’ supplies are in my backpack.

Then I have another messenger bag. This is the potpourri bag. Anything I can’t fit in the backpack I’m shoving into this bag. Extra food, layered clothing (the weather where I live is extremely unpredictable), umbrella, clinical supplies (like my stethoscope and other needed materials), and anything else I can think of that I might want or need during my ‘stay’ on campus.

Lastly is my lunch tote. The insulated kind with multiple pockets and zippers to hold my pre-made meals, water, and other miscellaneous snacks.

Let me clarify some things first:

  • I travel a great distance from home to school – in excess of an hour drive one way.
  • I have the ‘marathon’ of classes kind of day – one day a week classes that are back-to-back. Thankfully they are all in the same building.
  • The closest parking lot that I can consistently park my car in is approximately 4-5 blocks away up on the top of the hill of campus (not an easy hill to trek mind you).
  • I am a growing boy! I eat often, and I’m always hungry. I tend to perpetually eat /snack. No joke. I always get the sarcasm from fellow students asking my how much food I bring (a lot).
  • No, I refuse to purchase any food while on campus. I think you know why. (if not read some of my past health articles)
  • I only bring what is absolutely necessary for class time and clinical time.
  • As the semesters progress I’m going to have to bring a change of clothes due to proper dress attire when required.
  • I could rent a locker – but it would be pointless since I wouldn’t’ leave any supplies there overnight.

So my question is, or maybe it’s not really a question but an inquiry. How does everyone else do it? What do you utilize when you have to lug so much around campus? Is there anyway to make this just a tad easier on myself? Anyone have a recommendation on a better backpack or other bag?

Inquiring minds REALLY want to know.

Packing your bags | Scrubs Magazine

Taking Things For Granted

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Isn’t it amazing how everyone gets so comfortable in their own ‘present’ that they feel entitled and get upset when something doesn’t ‘flow’ the way they want?

How idiotic we all act and feel.

I am just as guilty as the next person to complain. Complain, moan and gripe about how ‘difficult’ or how ‘miserable’ something was simply because the standard I expected wasn’t met, or my spoiled lil’ world was shaken by an unplanned disturbance or ‘inconvenience’.

Do we ever stop to think how amazing our lives are? How lucky we are to live in this day and age with all the ‘conveniences’ and ‘amenities’ this world has to offer.

How quick and automatic we are to lash out when the ‘quick’ and ‘automatic’ doesn’t work in our favor.

Louis CK hits the nail on the head:

 

Take a step back and breathe in what you’ve been given. I think we all could use a lil’ more amazing and a lil’ less unhappiness in our lives don’t you think?

Everything Happens For A Reason

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This is the underlying theme of my our life ever since my wife and I met. Through ‘The Dance’ of dating and eventual matrimonial bliss, we have always said, “Everything happens for a reason”.

Now, I’ll admit. Just about every time that ‘thing’ happens in my life, or our life, I have NO IDEA why or what the reason actually is. And in the ‘moment’ of that ‘thing’ happening- our little mantra usually means absolutely SQUAT.

Well that ‘thing’ happened again. This time in my life. And some how. Some way. It all worked out for the better. I can’t explain it. Heck, I still don’t have a firm grasp of how it all happened.

All I can say is I appreciate my wife. I appreciate the colleagues I have. I appreciate my life.

Timing is everything.

Trust is a must.

And above all.. a little luck never hurt anyone. It’s done nothing but help me.

Much love.

Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

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Because none of are getting out of it alive.

Am I saying that life is one big joke, not to be taken seriously? No.

What I’m saying is life is as serious as it gets. We only get one chance. One shot. One time around. As serious as life can be, we waste it’s value by being caught up.

We all live our lives believing we are wearing an invisible bullet proof vest. That our life ‘doesn’t apply’ to all those harmful, horrible and devastating effects we call the human condition.

We get up, dress up, and show up for life everyday thinking that there will always be a tomorrow. Some of us do it subconsciously, while some do it on purpose. We get so caught up in the ‘race’ that we forget we are running. We forget that there is an end, and we expect to just keep on going.

The reality is – life is fleeting. Life is precious. Life is short.

Reality has a powerful way of reminding us just how fragile life is every day. Why does it take a tragedy or a loss to remind us?

Regret is a painful emotion. Don’t regret.

Step away from the race. Take the time to enjoy just running. Cherish those who are part of your race. Value those who are racing against you.

The only thing to take seriously is being lucky enough to be a part of the race. That wonderful race called life.

Carpe Diem