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.
*****
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..
