We prepared 3 cherry pies, 3 pumpkin pies, 2 cakes donated by a local bakery. The dessert table was lined as full as small plates would fill it. 5 gallons of Tea was rolled out on a small cart ready for serving.
While we were waiting for the main soup to finish cooking – we served coffee until three pots were empty. Walking around with a hot pot of coffee, felt different since a glass pot and a hot liquid, where I have worked for 22 years are dangerous items. They smiled as the pot came around – joking and laughing with the people sitting around them.
They talked among themselves mentioning the good things they hoped came their way this year. Four mentioned they were moving to a new location and hoped to find a job better than the one they have now. One man spoke about just getting out of the hospital with open heart surgery. He said I am going to be thankful for each day because I know I want is here next New Year's eve. When questioned why he thought that – he explained he needed oxygen most of the time but could not have it where he lived and he was suppose to be on heart medication which he could not afford.
Seeing two people who had been my patients previously – was really nice to see them in a different environment and doing well. People think that soup kitchens are only for the homeless. It is for those that are working but run out before the next check comes in. I was amazed at the smiles and laughter from people who were struggling with day to day activities. It was very humbling for me and my husband to serve 120 people. I am not sure who was blessed more – their belly with food or us with their presence.
As the people came around to get their tray, you could tell some did not have clean personal hygiene, some talked to themselves, and many said thank you and smiled as they received their food. My oldest son paused and looked at me when he heard a cell phone ring. Several had blue tooth wrapped around their ears. He continued to hand out trays. He leaned over and said "Mom do you really enjoy working with these kinds of people? And why do they have cell phones eating at a soup kitchen?" I smiled at him and "Yes, I do – even people that have good jobs make bad money choices – these people are no different."
Time to reflect:
Being a leader and making the world better doesn't have to be hard. We have been conditioned for generations to follow; to submit even if we know what our leaders are doing is wrong. We are conditioned to "think" we are powerless… to think it's "easier" to remain powerless. This is no more or less true than the opposite. We can condition ourselves, by supporting one another (and reminding ourselves), to see it "easier" to lead, create change for the better–to seek sustainable practices… respecting other points of view who share the same intention and learning to listen rather than use force at the first sign of disagreement; aligning one's own core values with how they choose to make money. Life is too short to play small, submitting to "status quo" and just letting things be as they are. But we all have a choice to live in reality. Consider living bigger. Life is short; team up with people who are making a difference. A real difference. This is livin' large.
I am leading a team who thinks large, who have goals to be bigger than who they are right now. Power is inside who we are, we have to open the door and let the good things in life in. Join us in 2012 – do not walk away without clicking this link. https://angelabrook.com/home-biz
Angela Brooks is a mental health nurse educator who spent the last 22 years working in a state funded mental hospital. In 'A Nurses Story', she shares not only what her patients have taught her over the years, but what we can all learn from those we consider 'at the margins of society'. But it's also a book about nursing, about nurses, and about how a nurse healed alongside her patients. Ultimately, "A Nurses Story" exposes a raw truth – that each of us, individually, can inspire self-worth and purpose in every life we touch, if only we choose to.
What are nurses really thinking? What causes them to be frustrated and want to quit nursing even when they love taking care of people? What makes nurses stay, even when it feels like everything is against them? In 'A Nurses Story', you'll discover the answer.
The words in this book give voice to the millions of men and women who care for us and our loved ones every day in our most vulnerable times. ‘A Nurses Story’ is their story.
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Love how you shared how you spent New Years Eve with your family! Inspiring Angela! š
Thank you! It was very humbling !
Hi Angela- Thanks so much for this article and for your example! This really struck a chord with me- especially your statement about how “even people with good jobs make bad money choices.” So true, and was a good lesson in not judging others! Thanks and I look forward to working with you this year- 2012 is going to rock! =)
Heather =)