Rise Above | Care For Yourself | Care For Others

We find ourselves in challenging times. Fear is escalating at an unprecedented rate because of the unknown. Resources are insufficient. People have been challenged to rise above, to overcome, to conquer. Many people who do not understand the severity of the mysterious, complex COVID-19 find themselves questioning reality. 

This is a new foreign world in which we find ourselves, wondering if social distancing is necessary, learning to adjust in quarantine. Elders in our communities are lonely, people are unable to work, birthdays are celebrated in isolation, death is unable to be honored through proper burial, but we are asked to rise above. I have friends who work in inpatient hospital units that are filled with COVID patients, reporting multiple deaths each shift. These are scary times filled with anxiety over the unknown.

At the same time, there is playful laughter from children off school, you tube videos expressing gratitude for self-sacrificing work from those deemed essential. There are communities sharing food, zoom conferences to help family and friends connect, a new intentionality that exists to find connection, to express care, concern and compassion. Every day there are people recovering from this illness. 

There is a loud cry, a call to focus on the betterment for all people, to support all people, to come together with a common foundation that honors human dignity. This foundation is built on the truth that mankind matters, mankind has value, and time is precious and should be cherished.

But this is not easy. As students working toward a career in healthcare, you may find yourself asking if it is worth it, if it is safe. I am reminded of wisdom from Florence Nightingale, who said little can be done under the spirit of fear. Mother Teresa reminds us that yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come, but today is here. These two women provided sacrificial care to any person in need. They did not judge, their intention was to share healing, to promote holistic health. The impact of their actions helped to shape and build a strong foundation for nursing.

In the United States, nursing is continually recognized as the most trusted profession, because it is a profession in which people care with the intension to bring healing and health.

In the midst of this pandemic, this intention has not changed, instead the call has become stronger. People from every culture, ethnicity, community and country must come together to form one voice that advocates for healing and health. The time is now to stand strong and find your purpose every day and fulfill your responsibility to contribute to health and healing in a broken world.

This may come in continuing your studies as a student with integrity and diligence, this may come in offering grace and patience to your family and friends you are quarantined with, it can come in sharing your resources to help your neighbors instead of hoarding for oneself.  This may come through a letter of gratitude, a telephone call to tell someone that he or she is not forgotten, covering groceries for the family who lost their jobs, making masks for your local hospital or cards for a nearby senior facility. Fear may come in the unknown, but compassion, health and healing can rise from endless actions of people that bring unity and hope.

In a broken world, we need you. We need you to rise above, to care for yourself, to care for others. We need you to open your eyes to see how you can help. We need you to lift your voice to advocate for those who are weak and discouraged. The time has come to rise, to overcome, to conquer, and you are who we need, everyday, every moment, in every way.