It's been quite a week to say the least...in a good way. I experienced a beautiful first Christmas morning with my husband, my first white Christmas, and first Christmas working at the hospital, and first Christmas not in sunny California. Such a beautiful day to celebrate Christ's birth and reflect on the blessings in my life.
What Gift to I Gift?
I think back to when I was a child and my mom used to have us write prayer intentions and gifts we would bring to Jesus on strips of paper, the "straw" we would then lay in the manger my dad had built out of wood with our baby doll Jesus inside it. It was what we were going to bring to Jesus to celebrate his birth. This has always stuck with me. I mean, you can't buy Jesus a present, but you can give of yourself and give back the gifts he has given you. Maybe it's sharing your voice in the choir, sharing your good sportsmanship in the sport you play, cooking or baking for those in need, visiting someone who's lonely, sharing your writing to inspire those around you, being an example of integrity and compassion in the workplace....there are so many ways to share your gifts in a given moment.
Story from this week...Know when to use your gifts...
The day after Christmas I was working out at the gym before heading to work. I had finished my run and was walking to the water fountain when the man in front of me fell to his knees, then his face, and slid off the treadmill. I ran over (remember I am an RN), helped position the man on his back and assessed his alertness and injury. He had hit his head but was alert and oriented. In speaking with this stranger he then became unresponsive and demonstrated seizure-like activity. A medic had come over to assist and we got the man on his side. The man's face began to turn gray, he stopped breathing, and I could not palpate a pulse as he went into cardiac arrest. The medic began compressions and someone grabbed the AED. We initiated 2 rounds of CPR and one shock when a pulse was then palpable and I called off CPR as the man began to breathe and speak to us. The paramedics showed up at this time to transfer the man to the nearest hospital.
In the midst of CPR, and compressions a woman came by, knelt down next to the patient, and placed the sign of the cross on his forehead. She didn't look up or say a word, and then she quietly walked away. This struck me most after the fact. The medic and I were able to coordinate the small team present to get this man's heart to pump again. That is our profession, that is what we do, we have been blessed with professions that allow us to practice medicine. In this moment it was our responsibility to exercise this gift to help this man. That woman may or may not have had medical background, but she had faith. In that moment she was called to pray and to share her gift of faith. By the grace of God that man's heart began to beat. Sure we initiated the recommended medical treatment, but that man's Guardian Angel was working overtime that day with the help of the prayers of a stranger. That was Powerful.
Just remember that gifts can be big and small. Don't be afraid to share those gifts, whatever they may be. God gave you certain talents for a reason. We are all here on this earth and in places at times on purpose. There are not accidents, just God's hand at work. View life and events by looking at the gifts and opportunities that each present. Every situation has a door to shine God's light and He shines through you.
Go be a light in the world.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Being a Team Player
TEAMS OF LIFE...
I recently started working in my "dream job" position as an ER nurse and have finally settled in to my crazy new schedule of working 3pm-3am. Yes, I know, insane. I like to think of it as the schedule for the life of that college kid that I never was...up super late and sleep the day away. For the morning person I am, waking up at one in the afternoon after a super late shift is a new reality. But, life, and nursing especially are all about being flexible.
I have been warmly accepted in my new position and in this new job, and it has really opened my eyes to a new level of teamwork and what it means to be a team player. I am assigned a team for the day to care for a hallway of patients and it is my job to be on the same page with my teammates, be sure they have enough support, and in turn let them know if I need help. The more each of us reach out to help throughout the day there is better patient care, less stress, and higher staff morale.
It is important to feel supported in day to day life. Thinking about my work team caused me to reflect on my position as a teammate in life. I am on God's team, but how do I act as a good team member in life as a good Christian/Catholic? I think there are three factors that make a good teammate:
1. Communication: Everyone has to know what is going on and what the plan is. Do I communicate with God? Do I pray? Do I open my heart to what His plan is for my life or is there a disconnect between what I am doing and where God is calling me?
2. Leadership: Someone has to step up and be a leader on a team. In addition, each person needs to recognize when it is best to step back and allow another to take the lead. If everyone stepped back and followed the crowd we would be sucked in to what society tells us is right and good. It is my responsibility to stand up for my faith, to take the lead in saying no to sin even when society tells me it's okay and socially acceptable.
3. Action: No team is successful without action. To be an active Catholic I need to go to church, go to confession, pray, and "walk the walk". I need to be kind to others, treat others like Jesus would. I am not perfect and these are HARD things to do!! However, I need to actively strive to follow Christ and ask for forgiveness when I fail.
You have teammates around you in life. Family, friends, etc. Be sure you are surrounded by good people who help you become the best you and stay on track to following Christ in your life. It's hard to walk it alone. Keep God close, live out your faith, and stand up for what you believe. Take it one day at a time. It will be hard at times, but there is no better team to be on than the one led by Jesus.
Feel free to comment! -Christina Marie
I recently started working in my "dream job" position as an ER nurse and have finally settled in to my crazy new schedule of working 3pm-3am. Yes, I know, insane. I like to think of it as the schedule for the life of that college kid that I never was...up super late and sleep the day away. For the morning person I am, waking up at one in the afternoon after a super late shift is a new reality. But, life, and nursing especially are all about being flexible.
I have been warmly accepted in my new position and in this new job, and it has really opened my eyes to a new level of teamwork and what it means to be a team player. I am assigned a team for the day to care for a hallway of patients and it is my job to be on the same page with my teammates, be sure they have enough support, and in turn let them know if I need help. The more each of us reach out to help throughout the day there is better patient care, less stress, and higher staff morale.
It is important to feel supported in day to day life. Thinking about my work team caused me to reflect on my position as a teammate in life. I am on God's team, but how do I act as a good team member in life as a good Christian/Catholic? I think there are three factors that make a good teammate:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Action
How do I apply these to being on God's team?
1. Communication: Everyone has to know what is going on and what the plan is. Do I communicate with God? Do I pray? Do I open my heart to what His plan is for my life or is there a disconnect between what I am doing and where God is calling me?
2. Leadership: Someone has to step up and be a leader on a team. In addition, each person needs to recognize when it is best to step back and allow another to take the lead. If everyone stepped back and followed the crowd we would be sucked in to what society tells us is right and good. It is my responsibility to stand up for my faith, to take the lead in saying no to sin even when society tells me it's okay and socially acceptable.
3. Action: No team is successful without action. To be an active Catholic I need to go to church, go to confession, pray, and "walk the walk". I need to be kind to others, treat others like Jesus would. I am not perfect and these are HARD things to do!! However, I need to actively strive to follow Christ and ask for forgiveness when I fail.
You have teammates around you in life. Family, friends, etc. Be sure you are surrounded by good people who help you become the best you and stay on track to following Christ in your life. It's hard to walk it alone. Keep God close, live out your faith, and stand up for what you believe. Take it one day at a time. It will be hard at times, but there is no better team to be on than the one led by Jesus.
Feel free to comment! -Christina Marie
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