“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
Hans Hofmann, 1880-1966
German-born American painter, renowned as an artist and teacher in a career that spanned two generations and two continents, and is considered to have both preceded and influenced Abstract Expressionism.
SIMPLIFY To simplify the complex and challenging issues for those I care for and love is a good practice. Sometimes it means I will help them get a bird’s eye view on the situation. If together we can put the issue into a broader context it helps us all see the point with some greater clarity. It doesn’t diminish the problem but helps those I care for to be able to name the difficulty more clearly. The person who is facing an issue needs to understand the problem. I want to be able to simplify the explanation so much so that the patient has a fair chance of participating in the decisions to be made about their health and life. Knowing which issues are critical is the beginning of imparting essential information. I can’t even begin if I don’t have high regard and respect for the rights and privileges of those receiving my care. Simplifying gets us to the heart of the issue. I want to help my patient to stand back from their illness and look at it with me. With my support, they find that their health and well-being is the shared goal of the whole team. If my patient perceives that we are all on the same page and are working for the same purpose my patients come to believe they are not alone. Divine Clarity, amid the complexities of modern life, help me simplify the path for those I accompany on the journey towards health. May I begin with a loving and respectful heart and help others find hope in our scientific age. Help me to courageously bond myself to those who need an advocate in their search for healing. AMEN. ACTION: Think about the steps you take to simplify complex issues for those to whom you offer care. How do you get to the heart of the matter? Observe your interactions this week. Learn more about the above photo by Alex Jones below. Click the link on the photo above to see it in three dimensions.
Our local Nursing Heart family.
Nursing Heart Friends, Easter is a time to pause, reflect and to be present with friends and family. When I think of family, much like when I think of Guatemala, I think of the word LOVE. Ron, our founder, mentioned the importance of being led by LOVE in his last address to the NHI board of directors. “When I started Nursing Heart, if I had listened to the fears around me, we may not have achieved what we have… Instead we just love as best we can…” While our focus turns to new programs, fundraising and new leadership, we need to embrace all of what we do with LOVE and not fear. So we will continue to love our communities, our staff, our donors and partners, you all – our supporters and of course our families and this beautiful place we serve; Guatemala. This past week we have been out of office, recharging our batteries, filling our love cups with family time and getting ready for the exciting work ahead. Thanks for being a part of our journey and our family.
Best, Jade Parker-Manderson xx Executive Director NHI/ACE If you would like tosupport our work, we look forward to welcoming you to the family.
Quote of the Week “An important and significant part of my nursing care is to simplify the information that is provided to my patients and their families when faced with the overwhelming diagnosis of cancer.” Deb Goldman, RN Northern Arizona University Family Nurse Practitioner Program Honor Health Shea Oncology Scottsdale, Arizona
About the Photographer Alex Jones: Do you want to see something exciting? Click on the link under the photo and see the rock formation in 3D. “Clarity” is the name of this series and these photos will be provided for viewing in three dimensions and will help us mark these reflections. Nursing Heart would like to thank Alex Jones for inviting us to the incredible virtual world that he is creating with his art and science. Alex is currently working in collaboration with a professor at Rice University. He writes the following about the project. “André W. Droxler, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Earth Science and the director of the Center for the Study of Environment and Society. His research has focused on studying the morphology of and the sediments accumulating on slopes and basin floors surrounding coral reefs and carbonate platforms. He and I are currently working on a project documenting microbial reefs and outcrops that are around 500 million years old on a private ranch in Mason, Texas. We are using a process called photogrammetry. It’s the of process where one takes dozens, hundreds or thousands of photos (depending on the size of what you are documenting) in a very specific manner at specific angles, and patterns and then, using special computer software, you can turn them into a 3D model which people can rotate and zoom in and out on their computers, phones and tablets, as well as using virtual reality and augmented reality to walk around said documented piece.”
