This past Thursday, four questions were given to answer in my pallitative care/end-of-life care class,
1. What would be the ideal situation/setting for your own death?
2. What would be the worse situation/setting for your own death?
3. As a caretaker of someone that is dying, what would be your plan of self-care?
4. How would you implement this self-care next week?
Yes, they were very tough questions. It forced me to really look deep within myself and come to know what my true feelings, values, beliefs and biases are. It really is no surprise that every single time I come out of the class, I am deep in thoughts for at least 2 days. This post is not about the first two questions but the last two.
I pondered for a bit about the self-care plan to keep myself emotionally, spiritually and physically sane, as a future caretaker of someone that is dying. The only three things that came to me were:
-Spend time with a group of friends and family that I can freely share my feelings and experiences with
-Set time aside to reflect, to pray, to journal
-Eat, sleep and exercise
I noticed how quickly I came to the conclusion that I need people around me, as it was the first thing that I wrote down. Every student shared their answers and we moved forward to the last question… how am I going to put this self-care plan into action tomorrow? While every fellow nurse practitioner student were busily writing and sharing, I just smiled. I realized that I ALREADY had my plan of self-care in place; it was my small group.
Faces of all the people in my small group crossed my mind and I thought about how much I enjoyed worshipping, praising, praying, sharing and reading the Word with each of them. They are all passionate and genuine in their walk with the Lord. Their mouths are always full of praise for God and their minds are always contemplating how to serve and love God more. Being admist such faith-filled people brings me life. Even during times I dont feel like singing and praying, I still get nurtured spiritually and emotionally through their worship and prayers.
I am filled with thanksgiving to God for the revelation that my small group is not just a social circle, or just something to do on a Friday night, or is just a way to serve the church, but its way more than that. I actually NEED this small group to keep myself healthy in spirit, emotions and mind. Its actual self-care…
As for the physical exercise part… I am going to put that one aside for now. Why ruin such a nice post?
