It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. -J.K. Rowling, author (b. 1965) 

As I read the quote from J. K. Rowling today and thought about the patients I have seen recently, some of them would certainly say “illness is the enemy”!  I have learned from other patients that they have learned from their illness how to re-prioritize their lives and that different outlook they have developed through the illness has been good for them.

So I would like to hear from you and learn how you feel about an illness you have faced.

This picture is of my pet, Cooper.  He spent 3 days at the kennel as I traveled to see a friend in Ohio.  He was so glad to see me when I picked him up today.  His “welcome” reminded me that research has documented that pets to help people live more emotionally happy lives.  Perhaps getting a pet is just what you need?  Anyone is welcome to post a comment about their pet.  Enjoy!

The badge you see above is obviously a sample.  It includes these items:

• Name and title of the holder.
• Name of issuer and in this case also a slogan of purpose.

Some days I keep my ID badge in my briefcase until I reach my desk.  I keep it in my briefcase to reduce the chances of not bringing it to work with me.  I can always tell if I am not wearing it if I meet someone new because I see their look of examination “scanning” me for the badge to see if I belong where I am walking.

In Maryland it is state law for all health care workers to wear their badge while on duty, so I really don’t have the option of not wearing my ID badge throughout the day.  However, because people look for badges and are reassured when they see them, I like to wear my badge so I can bring a sense of reassurance to everyone I encounter throughout the day.  This is not a heroic measure by any measure, but it is a simple way that I can be a team player, reduced anxiety and help the hospital be compliant, and the best part it is so easy to do!

I am curious to see what emotions or experiences you have to share around the topic of ID badges.

I was able to spend the day with a friend I have not seen in 3 years.  I marveled that we were able to take up our conversation almost exactly where we left it off the last time we met.  In these three years we have shared these common events in our lives even though we live 800 miles apart:

• Our job duties and environment changed dramatically.
• We experienced the death of a pet who was important to us.
• We changed automobiles and each chose different qualities of the car as essential in our selection process.
• We are both active in our respective churches even though the churches have each experienced a change in leadership, and we each found that transition process cumbersome.

Sharing our emotions and how we dealt with them in each of these situations showed how much we think alike and also how we took different paths in adjusting to the changes.  We did not compare our paths to see who was “right” and who was “wrong”.  We compared our paths to see what we could learn from the experience of the other.  That is one of the gifts of friendship, the ability to be open and honest with each other knowing the environment in which you share is safe.  When we feel safe in sharing, we are more open to learning.

I hope you are able to have reunions with friends frequently and discover the joy of support that I have written about!

This year the number of wildfires in the western US has been up from previous years.  Each time I see a segment on the news I pray for those whose homes are in the path of the fire and for those who are working diligently to extinguish the fires.

One recent story caught my attention and the content of the story lingered with me because the segment showed how the neighbors were working together to help each other rather than just looking out for their own needs.  It reminded of a lesson I learned years ago, “We are stronger when we work together than when we work alone!”

Today I am asking myself the question, whom can I help so we can both become stronger and benefit from the solidarity that comes from teamwork?  I am curious what your answers are to this question.  Please share!