Thankful Thursday | to see is a gift
This week, I am thankful:
for the gift of sight
This week, I was sitting at my desk, looking out at the grass and trees, under the sunny sky, and I thought about what a gift it is to see.
So often I take it for granted, but how amazing is it that our eyes can take in a scene and then our brains can translate it into something meaningful??
Isn't it also amazing how quickly all of this happens? And how our eyes adjust to different levels of light without us doing a thing?
What a gift it is to have eyes that work.
(Even if they DO need serious correction, like mine. Ha.)
that my car uses so little gas
Everytime I fill up, I'm like, "ohhhhhh, yeah." This was a good time to buy a hybrid. 😉
that my meeting outcome seems promising
I met with my CNO (chief nursing officer) to discuss the once-a-year availability of BSN raises, and she understood my points. Yay!
She's promised to work to make raises available both in January and in June (to catch December and May graduates), and I'm crossing my fingers this will happen before I graduate next May.
(My nursing buddy Brittany is also graduating then, so we are both crossing fingers!)
I felt heard and acknowledged, and I feel hopeful that this will actually change. Time will tell.
But I also feel proud of myself for taking this step to advocate both for myself and for my peers; if this change goes through, it will help many nurses throughout the hospital.
that I see growth in my "speak-up!" muscle
I spoke up about the BSN policy at work this week, of course, but also, there have been multiple things wrong in my current BSN program (wrong dates, missing assignment links, missing instructions, etc.) and I have been taking the initiative to let the instructors know so they can fix it.
Also, we were all leaving questions on the Course Q&A board (which says the professor will read every 24 hours), and no one was responding. So, I emailed the professor, and apparently she didn't even know this board existed.
I notice that it seems like everyone thinks, "Someone else will probably report that/take care of it." but often, that is not actually true. And I know this because when I address the issue, it becomes clear that no one else has even brought it up.
I have not always been bold enough to speak up about things (it's not my natural tendency!), so I am happy and grateful to see some growth in this area. I am finding my voice. 🙂
for Chiquita's funny short legs
Chiquita is built kind of like a Corgi, which is honestly part of why she is so cute.
Every time I look at this picture, I giggle a little.
for some insanely gorgeous weather
After a string of wet and muggy days, we have been blessed with a streak of low-humidity, cool, sunny days, and I am in HEAVEN.
I would like to order weather such as this every day all year, please and thank you.
for some days off during the nice weather
I did spend some of these nice days at the hospital, admiring the sunshine through the windows, but I also had several days off.
I even got to visit my sunset park, and it was chilly enough to require a sweatshirt. I was thrilled. 😉
for the way that most patients are respectful and appreciative
Sometimes, this is not the case, but honestly, most of the time my patients are responsive to the care I give them, and they are generally appreciative. Also, most people are respectful.
I had an exception the other day, and it reminded me how grateful I am that it is an exception and not the rule.
I give proper care to everyone, of course, but it is a whole lot more fun to do that when the patient is being respectful and appropriate. 🙂
Looking at the picture, I can almost smell the honeysuckle. Taking deep breaths just looking.
So good for you on the CNO talk - silently applauding you!
I am at work and it is very very busy. I am taking a 5 minute break to consider my thankfuls, and later I will read all the responses. For now, my main thankfuls are predominantly that a I am sufficiently talented and experienced to be useful to and valued by my employer and colleagues. And b, that life has also taught me to speak up, take initiative and say a firm No if needed. Although I rather say "let me assess the impact on my other commitments, so we can plan the distribution of responsibilities in a controlled way" and this is not only accepted but also respected.
Now back to work, good day all!
I agree that this feeling at work is so fulfulling! I have changed careers and roles a couple times. Each time that I need to rebuild my relationships and skills is a healthy challenge, but it's also nice once I'm working somewhere for a few years and have this type of environment where I've have built that working relationship with the team and more understanding of the many aspects of each position. I'm 3 years into my current position so I'm getting there. Keep up the great work!
Also I LOVE your script 🙂 I keep noticing how many people walk around with so much chaos in their lives and brains, with no time in between commitments or stressors - even positive commitments can become too much. A few firm NOs could do a world of good! I'm like A. Marie and really value the white space in my calendar.
First, Kristen, good job on the talk with the CNO. I'm glad it went well.
Second, I'm profoundly thankful on this day for the life and love of my DH, who died three years ago today. I don't need to add anything about him to what I've said in my original Meet a Reader and the update--except that he remains the best man I've ever known, and I am a better woman for having been married to him. Somewhere, somehow, my darling, we'll meet again.
So many hugs to you, A. Marie.
Sending love. I hope DH is resting well until you meet.
Sharing in your gratitude and sending a big hug <3
I am so proud of you for speaking up!
Thankfuls:
1. I went to an amusement park with a friend and had never been on a rollercoaster before, except for a very tame one in a fairground years ago. I was nervous but decided to brave it and it was SO much fun! Granted, it wasn't the big one with loop-the-loops (that one was closed) but I'm still proud of myself for going on the other one. We actually rode it twice! I also went on a ride called the Star Flyer which takes you 80 meters into the sky. I'm a little nervous of heights but ended up really enjoying it - the ride moved quite slowly and there was a wonderful view of the city. My friend and I took a break for some cake and coffee and it was just a wonderful day out. When I got back I realised it was the same evening as my book club - I was tempted not to go but knew it would probably be worth it if I went, and it was.
2. I jumped off the five meter swimming platform again. Thankful that I landed less awkwardly this time and thankful to the lady who told me I'm brave as I got out of the water.
3. I'm thankful for progression in strength training. I'm almost ready to move up to 10kg (22 lb) dumbbells now 🙂
4. I'm thankful that my rent is being reduced!
5. I'm thankful that I motivated myself to go running on a humid day. I managed to run 3.5 miles and finished by running up a hill. I felt so strong!
This whole post makes me so happy. Look at you go!
I'm thankful:
- For my dad. Kristen's mention of a speaking-up muscle made me remember how my dad cultivated mine. One time in a high school class I got the worst possible grade in "behavior." I chatted some, but nothing that warranted this harsh of an evaluation. I was crying, saying I didn't know what went wrong, and my dad encouraged/MADE me approach the teacher to respectfully follow up. I was scared, but did it. Turns out she just made an error in the system and everyone got that grade. Simple conversation and mine was resolved. This was before the days of emailing a teacher, so after school there was a line of parents waiting to talk to her about their kids' grades! I'm so grateful for this and many aspects of my life that my dad helped me to approach thoughtfully and bravely when needed.
- That for 3 days in a row I've woken up and looked forward to the day! My mind is becoming untangled from the school year and the exhaustion is beginning to lift.
- That some unresolved things with school are in the hands of appropriate admins who I trust instead of sitting on my shoulders and in my brain. I wish we could have left them settled at the end of the school year, but many aspects were out of my control.
- That my mom is back to being self-sufficient and living a balanced and fulfulled retired life. A couple years ago I wasn't sure if this was possible, and with time her situation has continued to improve after breaking one hip then the other, complications with medications, living with us for a while, etc. I'm happy for her and proud of her.
- For this week's weather! I agree! A recent day was 76F outside, sunny, windows open, 72 inside, very low humidity, comfy in shorts or long pants, short or long sleeves, ahhhh! I declared it as my official favorite weather to my friend 🙂 It's amazing to be warm but not sweaty lol.