In yesterday's post, I shared a short story that has changed my life. Ever since I first read it, when unwanted change or loss seems to be ruining everything, I've thought, "We'll see."
The human condition involves pain and loss. Getting good care and living as fully as possible -- the two criteria of Healthy Survivorship -- depend on finding hope in rough times.
When facing unwanted news as a Healthy Survivor, try to keep an open mind about all the potential effects of the unwanted change or loss.
In contrast to Pollyannaism and New-Age positivism, Healthy Survivors still honor their feelings of disappointment, sadness, frustration or anger. Healthy Survivors can still wish it had never happened.
But they look beyond their wishes to their hopes. Especially when they cannot imagine anything good coming out of their current circumstances, they consciously consider the possibility that unexpected gifts may lie hidden in unwanted circumstances. They find and nourish hope of a better tomorrow.
That is amazing. I was just thinking along those same lines. I have become bogged down in the losses that I sometimes forget the awesome joys. Like you missing your medical practice, you are able to share this site, your books and everything else you do for others, I miss nursing, but I am able to write my poems, share my experiences with my nurse friends and celebrate my faith. Thank you.
Posted by: Jonnie Hickman | March 26, 2011 at 02:41 PM