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Not Intentional
Tag Archives: mindset
Practicing Self Care
Practicing self-care is essential to me because without it, you end up losing yourself. I have several methods. I have grown accustomed to facials. I started getting them done around three years ago. My aesthetician plays relaxing music, uses beautiful scents, and creates a mood that is so relaxing that I fall asleep. I go every one to two months. I had no idea how wonderful she was until I went to someone else in the beginning. I was with a friend and noticed the glow of her skin, and she gave me her information. I had gone to someone else, and it was not a great experience. I also like caring for houseplants. I have about twenty of them, and they bring me peace. Finally, you should make yourself a priority, and nothing should get in the way of caring for yourself. It gives you the ability to be more effective and purposeful.
Saying No
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals? I haven’t always had this clarity, but I’ve come to realize the importance of protecting my peace when something doesn’t feel right or resonate with me. There’s a comforting strength in saying no without the need to justify myself, allowing me to avoid future regrets.
My mission in life
Mission: In a world where you can be anything, be kind. (Jennifer Dukes Lee)
As we go through life, we realize the simple things that create joy in others’ lives. It’s simple and fulfilling. I was in a supermarket. An elderly woman was telling me about her occupation before retiring. She shared how much she enjoyed her job working at Strawbridge & Clothier. I remembered the big chain store and its Clover Day and the great sales.
She told me that her daughter rushes her whenever she takes her to run errands. I noticed that she was dressed impeccably, as if she were still working. I smiled and admired her gift of painting her life for me. She smiled at me because I was genuinely listening. I helped her pick out some fruit, and we said our goodbyes. You can’t put a price on things like this. My mission is to make more connections. ❤️
Colleges Attended
I have had an incredible journey attending the Community College of Philadelphia, La Salle University, Drexel University, and Eastern University! I genuinely believed I would continue my education despite the challenges of stress and anxiety. I kicked off my academic adventure by earning my ADN and General Studies degree at CCP. After passing my nursing boards, I became a registered nurse. I worked at a hospital that offered tuition reimbursement. What a win-win!
One of the highlights was taking a religion course at La Salle, taught by an inspiring priest. I absolutely loved the class and the way my instructor made everything come alive! I embarked on my BSN journey at Drexel. Then, life threw a curve ball. I went into renal failure. I bravely tackled peritoneal dialysis. I received a cadaveric kidney from a 5-year-old angel. Yet, that kidney only lasted 3 years. I faced skin disorders. I experienced a gastrointestinal bleed. My hemoglobin levels were low. The support from my wonderful coworkers, friends, and family was invaluable. My friend Moe stepped up and turned out to be a match, which was amazing!
I was open and honest with my instructor and everyone about my medical struggles. I made it clear that I didn’t want any special treatment. Our story became a meaningful chapter for many of my colleagues who witnessed our journey. There were tough moments. A ureter detached, leading to a hemorrhage. I lost the kidney, but I fought through and didn’t give up!
Dialysis became a big part of my life, with treatments every other day for ten years. But guess what? I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and earned a certification in obstetrics! My dreams didn’t stop there—I was determined to pursue my Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. After 10 years of home hemodialysis, I was ready for a new challenge. I had one wish: to be officially listed at another hospital after I graduated in June 2018. My instincts told me the new hospital was the right fit!
On February 21, 2019, I received my third kidney transplant—what a miraculous day! I thought I had reached the finish line with my education. Still, I returned for a school nurse certification because it was required. Life is absolutely wonderful now. I’m genuinely grateful to God for all my blessings. I am also grateful for the perseverance I found along the way!
An eventful Friday
I saw a woman get hit by a car, and I pulled over with another bystander to call EMS. I went straight into triage (nurse) mode, reassuring the injured woman that help was coming. The driver was a girl in her 20s; she was not speeding and was trying to go around a truck. She got out of the car, apologized to the woman, and said, “I’m going to get in so much trouble.” I said to her, “Sis, you did the right thing; you didn’t leave the scene, and it was a mistake.” She asked if I could stay with her, and I did, with another gentleman. The look on her face was pure terror, and I told her it would be okay. The police took the report, and the ambulance arrived shortly after. I hugged her and told her not to beat herself up and to pray.
A Random Act of Kindness
I was ordering some burgers from Five Guys, and I happened to glance at one of the employees. He was a handsome young man with rich, warm skin and a bright, radiant smile. When I noticed the fistula in his lower forearm, our eyes met and I asked him about his dialysis journey, offering support and sharing my own successful experience with kidney transplants. He mentioned that he was only listed at one hospital, so I encouraged him to consider listing at another center and provided him with information. It was a truly uplifting and heartwarming encounter.
What activities do you lose yourself in?
Dailyprompt 1877
Getting into house plants has brought so much joy and fulfillment into my life. Before, I couldn’t fully indulge in this hobby because of my cat. However, after my dear Chloe passed away, I embraced the world of houseplants, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey. I’ve become fully immersed in their care and seeing them thrive brings me so much happiness. I guess you could say I’ve become a plant momma, and it’s truly wonderful. 😊
A risk that I do not regret.
No regrets
After 31 years of service, the hospital I worked at closed down. Despite my qualifications, the transition to a new hospital proved challenging, as it became evident that they were not keen on hiring older employees. Throughout three separate interviews, I did not feel valued or welcomed. During the final interview, I was even asked about my current salary, a question that caught me off guard despite its standard nature. Moreover, the interviewer expressed consideration for offering a wage $10 lower than my current earnings and inquired about my union membership.
In response, I graciously declined the offer and made it clear that I would share my experience with others. Subsequently, I discovered that the hospital had chosen to hire younger nurses. Despite the initial disappointment, I can confidently say that I have no regrets. It was undoubtedly the best decision of my life. This experience has taught me the importance of being prepared to assertively decline opportunities that do not align with my worth and values.
Betrayal and Trust
A simple mistake is just that, but when someone close to you purposefully hurts you, it feels like a targeted strike at your weakest moment. I can never trust you again; all I can do is pray that you will be a better friend to someone else. Always trust your instincts about people.
If it’s a minor infraction with a friend or an associate, the apology should address the behavior. If the person doesn’t do that, they may repeat the same thing again. Ask them, what the are apologizing for if it’s not mentioned ? If they can’t answer that or beat around the bush, move forward in silence. Trust me♥︎
“Just because you lost me as a friend, doesn’t mean you gained me as an enemy. I’m bigger than that, I still wanna see you eat, just not at my table.” Tupac Shakur
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