Reflecting and Embracing Another Year's Passing

As we approach the end of this year, I hope we take the time to reflect, learn from others experiences, and embrace another years passing in celebration. Life’s experiences are too precious to waste. I feel that difficulties and challenges can accelerate positive personal growth. Reflecting on success is also beneficial to learn what worked, leverage strategies and attitudes for future successful years.

To facilitate a rewarding year requires one to be observant, act ethically, reflect on past experiences and be ready to accept opportunities.

Below are a couple of reflections from my past that help me continuously learn and embrace life this year.

A Dancing Santa Claus Can Bring Joy and a Positive Attitude:

During a lengthy hospitalization a few years back I was able to experience Christmas in the hospital. I remember the joy of listening to a person in a nearby bed playing a dancing Santa Claus, over and over again. Santa would dance to the song "Jingle Bell Rock". Since I had just become completely blind during my hospitalization, I could only imagine the toy Santa dancing; wriggling his body to the music as the joyful sound filled the hospital. The elderly person who’s Santa was entertaining our section of the hospital would get very excited when Santa would dance and the music would play. He called all the nurses and technicians over to listen, multiple times over the days. As his visitors came to comfort and keep their friend, and or relative company I came to know part of this person’s life and how he was loved by his many visitors. I could tell from the medical procedures he received and conversations he was not going to get better. I listened as he planned to give away his house with joy and gratitude in his voice as he talked about his caregiver, who was the recipient of his house, a gift of love.

Doctors Who Are Never Too Busy to Help and the Power of Spirituality:

To conclude the hospital’s celebration of Christmas, one of my Nephrologists (Kidney Doctor) led the Christmas program in the hospital chapel to bring spiritual hope to the patients and families. I was too weak to leave my hospital bed; but had the privilege to listen live on my television in my room to give me hope I would eventually be able to leave the hospital I had been calling my home for the last 7 months. This Nephrologist also led the Center for Integrative Medicine to help blend the healing of the mind and body to enhance the healing potential of the patients’ he helped. He taught other Nephrologists; one who saved me from going back on dialysis when I was rushed to Intensive Care and my kidneys shut down for the second time during my hospitalization. First time I was on dialysis for ten weeks; but luckily, or unluckily I was in a coma and felt no discomfort

What helped me embrace the past year with passion and drive from reflecting on, and learning from these experiences:

• No matter how difficult our situation is; we can always learn from others who are suffering greater, to help us create a positive year.

• If we are perceived to be, or feel we are too busy, we can always find time to make a difference in other people’s lives.

• Be aware of others around you and be accepting to educational opportunities by observing their actions and the reactions they get from others.

• Do not be afraid to ask for help, accept graciously and reciprocate.

• If you have skills; share with others they can help. You never know who that person will help and the difference you can make indirectly.

• To help me overcome adversity and create a positive year, I had to grow spiritually and emotionally, to confirm the importance of awareness of others and to increase professional and personal skills.

How has reflecting on past years experiences helped you? What have you learned this year that will carry over into next year, to increase the chances next year will be more positive than this year? Did any successes come from observing and learning from others? What have you learned from the challenges if nothing went the way you planned?

We all look forward to ending a wonderful year together by hearing from you.

Bill Tipton

Contributing Author,

Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

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