Did I?
The following passage was written by Texas Children’s Chaplain Jessica Shannon.
Each time I leave a patient’s room, I reflect on the visit while walking to the next room, and the reflection continues while later charting. Each of us wants to do our best and give all that we can to our patients, and there is always room to grow.
There is a long list of questions I ask myself when analyzing an encounter with a patient and their family. Some of those questions are: What did the family process, and what was my response? Did I listen and explore the things weighing heaviest on them? Which spiritual interventions were the most beneficial to them, and which spiritual interventions did not work well? The list of questions goes on, and there is no doubt in my mind that each of you have similar self-check ins depending on your role.
Theologian and author Henri Nouwen gives us a list of questions to ask ourselves at the end of each patient visit, interaction with colleagues, friends, and family, or at the end of the day. Take a moment, and ask yourselves:
Did I offer peace today?
Did I bring a smile to someone’s face?
Did I say words of healing?
Did I let go of my anger and resentment?
Did I forgive?
Did I love?
These are the real questions.
I wonder how your words and actions would change if these questions remained on your hearts. We may live more joyfully and share words of peace if these questions are a part of our daily routine. We may change someone else’s day by offering a calming and hopeful presence.
There is a domino effect in moments like this. Imagine a time when negative words or attitudes seemed to ruin the day. The atmosphere in the unit is heavy, and everyone is grumpy. As you go home, you’re more exhausted than you normally are. In fact, you’re drained. Now imagine you walk onto a unit, feel the negativity, yet you communicate in love, peace, and joy. What a gift you would give to others as well as yourself! Let the smiles be healing, and let peace spread.
My friends, take time to reflect on what words and attitudes you allow to shine. How will you offer peace, or make someone smile? How will you release anger and forgive? How will you love today?