I have been blessed to have so many past and present patients tell me how I have helped them through this journey. It may make the transition to retirement harder in some ways but in fact easier in some. I have truthfully enjoyed all my years in nursing and all the opportunities and challenges I have had. Medicine has changed from when I first started and much like everything else in life, some good and some bad. It's funny how some of my patients say the same about having cancer. It does make you stop and look at yourself and what you are doing and where you are going. There are new chapters opening or closing all the time. It is how to deal with these changes and keep a positive outlook and happy. Those two things are the most important choices you have each day. I chose to be happy and to be positive and to love and laugh and try to the make the best of each situation. Someone once said that my laughter is contagious and I took that as a compliment, (I hope)!
Life is too short whether you are ten or one hundred. Choose what you want in life and go for it. Things will make to stumble and road blocks may make you change routes but all in all, choose your pursuits and don't be afraid to make mistakes. It happens to us all. None of us have totally transparent lives but pick up and go on.
Be your own best cheerleader and shut it down when those negative thoughts pop into your head. We all have so many blessings and be happy for those. if every time you get a blessing you complain about it either not being what you wanted or expected and instead be thankful for what it is, those blessings will double. And passing out blessings to others will do the same. I love RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS because in the end, you receive the most benefit by helping someone else. Make it a great New Year and as I close in on retirement, I will keep you posted. S