RISKS — Monday Motivational Meditation #407 — 2019-05-27

“Life is too short to be scared and not take risks.
I’d rather be the person that’s like,
‘I messed up,’ than, ‘I wish I did that.'”

Justine Skye, 1995-

American singer, songwriter, and actress

RISKS
by Ron Noecker

I don’t want to watch life from the sidelines. I want to live in the stream, making contributions, and taking risks. Of course, it will be good if I weigh the risks associated with deciding one way or another, but I do not want to sit back and not take reasonable chances in life. Helping others do a risk versus benefit analysis is something I do as a caregiver. I am a guide through the waters. My patients know that they have to consider options and look to me for some direction.

As a team player, I know it’s easy to criticize what others are doing, but I’d rather be known as someone who is making an offering. I don’t want to hinder creativity by saying that we tried that before and it didn’t work. And if I say “We don’t do that,” I want to know who the “we” is. It means knowing my point of view and having the courage to share those ideas and not allowing the heckles from the sidelines to deter me.

Caring for people means I am willing to take some risks by offering suggestions though I can’t be absolutely sure of the outcomes. I know I have been hurt on occasion or have also messed up because I just didn’t see all sides of the story. I intend to keep taking risks and allowing all those experiences to make me wiser whether I succeed or fail.

Divine Presence, help me to know that I am unconditionally loved and cared for in life. May it be the strength from which I take risks to make life better for those I serve and care for as well as myself. Learning from my mistakes, may I treasure forgiveness and be confident that I can contribute to the benefit of all around me. AMEN.

ACTION: Consider the times you’ve helped someone do a risk/benefit analysis. What are the keys to engaging the process well? Consider if you criticize more than contribute. What can you do to adjust the balance?

Learn more about the above photo by Kendall Draeger below. Our thanks to Kendall for his use in this series called, “Leadership.” Credit is given for the influence provided in “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown in these reflections. Learn more at BreneBrown.com.

Nursing Heart Friends,

Did you know that over 50 percent of Guatemala’s population is indigenous or have indigenous origins?

Traditional medicine retains a strong presence in Guatemala and plays an important role in health care for indigenous Guatemalans. We see it as our duty to educate nurses about this ancient practice and how the traditional Maya model and biomedical health model are used in country.

The lovely group from Clemson University just returned from 3 days at Lake Atitlán where they received education sessions on how both Western and Maya medicine work together in the villages around the lake, they attended a traditional shaman healing ceremony and also learned about local ‘Bone Doctors’ from a local guide. We are thankful to our friends and partnerships with the lake communities for making this dynamic learning experience possible.

“Indigenous traditional healing embodies a holistic approach and considers health as the sum of a person’s physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual well-being…”

It’s important as practitioners that we utilise an integrated health care system both in another country and even at home. The WHO has a traditional medicine strategy regarding the useful integration of health practices.

Keep up to date with our programs by following our Instagram and facebook accounts.

Questions and inquiries about how to get involved and donations are always welcome.

Happy Monday,

Jade Parker-Manderson xx
Executive Director NHI/ACE

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Kendall Draeger grew up in Kansas and received his first camera as a Christmas gift while in high school. After college he moved to Ohio to start his career and family. Photography has remained a hobby and nature is one of his favorite subjects. Family vacations with his wife and daughters would often be trips to state and national parks. Now that he and his wife Meg are empty-nesters, they continue to enjoy adventures to both local and distant scenic areas throughout the US.