Nursing Essence:Spirituality

Spirituality in Nursing Practice

In the light of a different nature of service provided by nurses in the healthcare setting, it is no doubt, a vocation and profession in one.  It is a vocation in the sense that kindness and spirituality are important aspects of care. Spirituality in the practice of nursing is beneficial in two ways: first, it enhances a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship and secondly, it lightens up the nurse’s heart as she attends to the most personal level of care given by a stranger to a sick individual, without any relations at all.

 

A Short Story

BURNED BISCUITS

By Maria Carlota Recacho, RN

When I was a kid, my mom loved to make breakfast for dinner every now and then.  I remember one night when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. She put a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.  I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day at school was. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and enjoy every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, as I kissed Daddy good night, I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

A Way of Life

This prose written by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) in 1927, gives us wisdom in our daily lives by describing the way on how we should live. 

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble,
it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

 

Author - Max Ehrmann (1872 - 1945)