Are you a shining light in the darkness or has the darkness surrounded you?
What causes you to put off doing what you should do? Are you waiting for the perfect time? Are you waiting for things to get better? If COVID has taught us anything it is that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. How long are you going to wait? We are living in a time that is scary and stressful and will paralyze us if we are not careful. Don’t wait for a better time; there is no better time than the present and the present is all that we have!
YOU are a shining light carrying hope through faith for patients and their families; for friends and coworkers; for strangers and loved ones. Remember that part of this responsibility is to shine a light of faith for yourself. It’s hard to carry the light of hope when we too are surrounded by the darkness of fear and stress, but as nurses, and spiritual care providers we can’t wait around in the darkness. There is not time to wait!
It is okay to admit that we are living in a time of crisis and that life is hard and frightening. Go ahead and name your fears and stresses so that you can deal with them. If you are isolated and there is no one around to talk to face-to-face, talk to someone virtually or talk to God however you perceive the creator of the universe to be. Voice your concerns and make your requests out loud. It helps to hear your own voice and once named, fears begin to lose their power over you. Remember that you are not God and that you are not in control of anything except your own perceptions, emotions, and actions.
All things will pass. COVID will eventually pass. Political and social unrest will pass. Our time on this earth will pass. There is no time to procrastinate and put off self-care and what brings you joy. Take the time you need to do the things that make you happy now and don’t wait to say what you need to say to those you love; to your friends and colleagues. Thank you, I love you, I’m sorry, forgive me, you’re doing a good job… These words and others like them have the power to change lives, to strengthen weary hearts and to encourage hope.
Strengthen yourself by taking time for yourself: to eat real food, to rest, and play as much as you work. Find the humor in your situation and remember that it is okay to laugh just like it’s okay to cry. But most of all hold onto your faith and BELIEVE that your one light, shining as you care for others in crisis will strengthen other people’s lights and eventually the darkness will be dispelled.
“Shining your light brightly leads others out of darkness." Sharon T. Hinton