Life altering events experienced by others can cause a reevaluation of your goals and priorities, sending you down a soul searching path on your journey to wellness. This weekend a co-worker that I have known for over ten years who was 12 years younger than myself experienced a massive heart attack while at work caring for his patients. He is so caring in nature, I know if I were in the hospital he would be someone I would want taking care of me. I happened to be working during this shift, but did not find out about it until I was home after my shift. Our prayers are with him and his family as he recovers from emergency open heart surgery. This event has shaken me similar to another event occurring a few years ago.
About four and a half years ago, I was getting ready to go home for the weekend. At the time I was the nurse manager of a very busy and growing Cancer Center and Heart Failure Department. This was the job of my dreams, and although I had dreams of pursuing my own business, I never saw myself doing anything career wise, except for the role I was in. I ran into Jane, a co-worker I had become close to that worked in another department. She was just so fun and artsy, and seemed so carefree. She was discussing that she had seen her brother the weekend before, and they had birthdays just a few days apart. For those few days they were both 50. She had just turned 51, and he was now 50. Jane always had a smile on her face and I just loved her positive energy. I returned to work on Monday to find out Jane developed chest pain while taking a shower the day before, and was dead of a heart attack before the ambulance could even reach her home. Several of us attended the wake, where we met her adult children and husband. There was a slide presentation playing that captured the very essence of who she was.
This event sent me in a tailspin in finding meaning and purpose. I had unfulfilled dreams. Whew! It was the beginning of a journey which lasted for several years.
Spiritually, I am a Christian, and wasn’t having issues with my spirituality. I knew I had a secure relationship with God and wasn’t calling that into question. My soul searching came in when I asked myself if I had contributed everything I wanted to contribute in this life. The answer was no. I had several books I wanted to write. I always thought one day I would have a successful business in health and wellness,as well as being that successful writer. I wanted to my life to count and I wanted to fulfill what I felt was my real purpose in being on this earth. I was that frog slowly boiling to death in a pan of heated water, and didn’t realize it until that moment. It was a life defining moment for me.
A few weeks later I gave notice at the job I thought I would never leave and stepped into a nurse staffing position that would allow me to have my weekdays free while working on the weekends. I thought working three days a week, versus five would allow me more time to work on some writing projects and start a wellness business. Four years have gone by and many life events have occurred since then. My daughter wanted to go to nursing school, and I was actually able to keep her little boy in my home while she finished her dream of going to nursing school. She has now achieved a dream of hers and is a nurse. It wasn’t always easy keeping a little one again, but I have a bond with my grandson I may not have had otherwise.
Over four years have passed, and I have gone halfway to obtaining another degree in nursing. Most fulfilling for me was to find the coaching education. I have completed two very outstanding wellness coaching programs. I now am writing for several websites, including my own. The connections I have made over the past few months have enriched my life so completely. Currently, I am transitioning from traditional nursing to using my nursing in more of a wellness and entrepreneurial role. As I complete classes with the Wellness Inventory, I again find myself at a crossroads. I know it is time for the next step in my journey to follow what I believe is a God ordained purpose for my life.
As I heard of my co-worker this weekend, I had feelings similar to when my friend Jane died. It’s time to take action. Again, I am faced with finding meaning in the road I am travelling. There was a 16 year old girl killed in our town from a car accident this weekend. She was the best friend of one of my co-workers niece. Actually her niece was in the wreck with her, and survived. These situations are so heart rendering. It compels me forward to realize how precious life is. It compels me forward to make sure I am living my life on purpose. It compels me forward to continue to be who God has already made me to be.
I shared these experiences, because I know I am not the only one that was on a road at a cruising altitude. Life is too short to not pursue the dreams God has placed inside you. Part of living well is finding meaning. Not only is it important to find that meaning, but to walk into it.
If you are going through life changing events and are trying to get back on track or even get off the track you are on and onto another track, you may want to consider a coach. Coaching will assist you with the tools to become your best self. You already have your goals and dreams inside you. Take the step to propel yourself forward. You can contact me through this site and I would love help you set the goals for the changes you want to make in your life.
