Just to clear up any confusion: I have never worked for
SJRMC, SCH or now IHS. I have and will always consider myself as one who works
for the people. I have however worked through SJRMC, SCH and now
IHS. Do you see the difference?
The fact that I am a given the title 'nurse' is also near inconsequential in the scheme of things over a lifetime. Any work we do which sits with ahimsa* is with proper focus a work for the people and is then a healing work. To offer someone a cup of coffee while you work at Starbucks has the potential to be every bit as healing as nursing at a bedside or collecting the trash from a curb or holding a little one on your lap and reading them a story. It is the attitude held while doing the work. To offer a cup of water with anger in your heart is harmful. To offer a cup of water with good intention is healing.
Yes, it is good to gain an education, if it is going to help you serve the people in the way most suited to your temperament and the needs of the people. Remember, you are an important part of 'the people' and if the learning feeds your heart this is also a good thing. However education alone can be like an empty plate put before a hungry man. The plate may be beautiful, expensive and well made, however, it is not worth anything in the moment when the starving person looks at it craving something to fill the empty belly.
There have been many times when I have looked in the mirror and not liked the person looking back. This signals the need for change. This being human and humane is not easy. It is sometimes difficult to face myself there is so much shame. I am thinking you have felt the same. You may even choose to not see yourself related to the shame and knowing that once you see you have no excuse to not act and make positive change.
The fact that I am a given the title 'nurse' is also near inconsequential in the scheme of things over a lifetime. Any work we do which sits with ahimsa* is with proper focus a work for the people and is then a healing work. To offer someone a cup of coffee while you work at Starbucks has the potential to be every bit as healing as nursing at a bedside or collecting the trash from a curb or holding a little one on your lap and reading them a story. It is the attitude held while doing the work. To offer a cup of water with anger in your heart is harmful. To offer a cup of water with good intention is healing.
Yes, it is good to gain an education, if it is going to help you serve the people in the way most suited to your temperament and the needs of the people. Remember, you are an important part of 'the people' and if the learning feeds your heart this is also a good thing. However education alone can be like an empty plate put before a hungry man. The plate may be beautiful, expensive and well made, however, it is not worth anything in the moment when the starving person looks at it craving something to fill the empty belly.
There have been many times when I have looked in the mirror and not liked the person looking back. This signals the need for change. This being human and humane is not easy. It is sometimes difficult to face myself there is so much shame. I am thinking you have felt the same. You may even choose to not see yourself related to the shame and knowing that once you see you have no excuse to not act and make positive change.
*****
Look in the
mirror.
Who do you see
looking back when you look into the eyes?
*****
*more
on AHIMSA can be found in Autobiography of a Yogi by
Paramahansa Yogananda.
Chapter 44 discusses Yogananda's meeting with Mahatma Gandhi
and a discussion on ahimsa.
This book and this chapter is a good
read. enjoy..
