CONSIDERATE — Monday Motivational Meditation #394 — 2019-02-25

When we ask for love, we don’t ask others to be fair to us-
but rather to care for us, to be considerate of us.
There is a world of difference here between demanding justice…
and begging or pleading for love.

Mortimer Adler, 1902-2001

American philosopher, educator, and popular author. As a philosopher he worked within the Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions. He lived for long stretches in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and San Mateo, California.

CONSIDERATE

Being considerate of the circumstances or the feelings of those with whom I walk in life, be they family members, patients or colleagues, is a way of recognizing that I share a common humanity. It is a way of putting myself in someone else’s shoes and realizing each of us has ups and downs. Being considerate is being merciful and is an effort to understand. It doesn’t mean it will always be easy and it doesn’t say that I should never expect some accountability from myself and others.

Life is a messy business. If I try to get everything in perfect order, I know I’m going to be frustrated. I want to give things time. Giving consideration before I make judgments is a way of recognizing that life does not always unfold in neat and orderly patterns. In the midst of chaos, I want to allow some time for reflection and consider if there is any beauty to be found in it. It’s like seeing a sun painted lake on a cold winter day.

I want to be the kind of healer that is comfortable with the ambiguity in life. Carefully and deliberately considering the needs of others and my own needs requires a beginning acceptance of things as they are in this moment. If it’s raining or snowing, I’m going to start right there with the elements and not name them bad or good. The situation may require some planning on my part, but I don’t have to judge it.

Eternal Mercy, help me to consider the situations of every person I meet. Let me be open to hear and feel all that is going on in my life and the lives of those around me. Knowing full well that life unfolds and is not stagnant, never let me lose the fascination to reflect upon the twists and turns of the journey with openness and grace. Guide me as I courageously bring my heart to bear in all my interactions. AMEN.

ACTION: Consider your willingness to put yourself in the shoes of someone else. Do you find it easy or a challenge? Think about the people who formed your attitude of considerateness. Let them know it made a difference.

Janet Antonacci is native to Westchester, New York, where as a child her morning rides to school included views of the river she now calls her artistic muse. She made her career in advertising, and wrote and shot commercials all over the world. In a sense, leaving her job to raise two sons only marked the rebirth of her creative endeavors. She has continued to write-her work has been published by The New York Times and others-and study her original craft over the years. She presently resides in Ossining, a stone’s throw from the Hudson. It’s the river and the towns that surround it, the bleeding sunsets and the faces of the fisherman who cast into them, that speak most clearly to Janet as she continues to find new ways to do what she’s done all her life: uncover meaning and create art.

See more of her work: @janriverworksphotography at Instagram.
Thanks, Janet, for sharing your beautiful photos in this series we are calling “Thoughtfulness.”

Nursing Heart Friends,

Our Nursing Heart team was thrilled to learn that this past week’s team from Florida Atlantic University was made up of five nurse practitioner students who were with us last year. Their previous experience was a great gift to the group. They provided lots of support for those who were new to the endeavor and in turn they served almost 600 patients in the general clinic and the women’s clinic over the course of four clinical days.

In Los Jometes as well as San Miguel Dueñas the critical role the local community plays in organizing these clinics was obvious. This was the fourth time a Florida Atlantic group had provided the services in San Miguel Dueñas. The clinic has never flowed as smoothly or been better organized. It was thrilling and the community was very grateful. We do everything we are able to take on the invitation from the community leaders to let all the members of the pueblo know they are welcome. But, without the help of the local leadership, our efforts would never really bear fruit.

Group 2 from FAU arrives this week and you’ll be hearing more about them through the week. When we do nurse practitioner clinics, we provide Guatemalan doctors for each clinic, and all prescribed medicines are free of charge. Nursing Heart, Inc. provides translation support and all transportation and meals. The students sacrifice to help cover the costs through the program fees they pay. But, it is not enough to cover the costs. That’s why I continually invite people like you to be part of our team. Ten to twenty dollars per month can really help us. Would you consider supporting us to continue our work? Just click HERE to become part of the team. Thank you so much. Please send us energy and your prayers for our busy weeks ahead.

Peace,

“One of the most important things I have learned as a nurse is how to be considerate of the needs of others.
I actively listen and exhibit patience
during each encounter.”

Stefanie Warren, RN, TA
Primary 3 Family Nurse Practitioner
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida