Distractions...

A double edged sword!

Everyone has experienced at least one distraction in their life.  Most a few, some many.

Being distracted is not always a bad thing.  It is through distraction, that is taking focus off of a topic of interest, that some of the greatest ideas, discoveries, and inventions to date, have occurred.

"Oh... look here!  Shiny sparkly thingy!"
      Really!?  Where?  Ahhh...



Hence, cold fusion is impossible; as the mass necessary to create the compression and pressure necessary to fuse two distinct atoms together into one, has such an exothermic discharge that it creates both light and heat.

Even "cold" stars, are incredibly hot, with temperatures measured on the Kelvin Scale.

Now that you have just read and thought about that for a second...

Life is pretty simple.  One is born, and then eventually, one dies.  I know that sounds harsh, yet it is reality.  What one does, in the "between"... well that is their own personal journey.  Sometimes shared, sometimes accompanied, sometimes kept private.

Distractions in life, is the core determinate of experience. 

Imagine (a purposeful distraction this time) for a moment, if on the day you were born, you knew and understood that you would eventually die.  How would your life have been different?  As of today, right now, this instant, as you are reading this, would you have done anything different?  Taken more, or perhaps less, risks?

The child who hears a pianist play Mozart, someone who looks through a telescope and sees the rings of Saturn, a person that realizes a new use for an existing thing...

It all comes together.  The experience, albeit full of distractions, is life!

I understand that sounds circular, yet ponder this...

The distractions of a seven year old boy, led to a career choice.  And after 27+ years into the career, that little boy, has affected more lives than most will ever meet!

Family and friends are important.  It is the stranger that often means the most.  A distraction from the eventuality.  Even when, the eventuality is occurring for the stranger...

I am humbled, and honored.

Simplicity

My family has experienced a few 'bumps' lately.

I have found myself texting, emailing, and FB msg'ing an extraordinary amount lately.  Which is not my nature.

So, I stated my thoughts in a short and succinct manner, and thought that was to be the end of it.  I received a long response in return.  I almost ignored it, yet I responded none the less... in an even shorter and more succinct manner.  Was I baited?  Did I nibble?  Perhaps.  Shame on me. 

Yet, today I received a text from a friend asking me two questions.  I not only responded, I actually called them to discuss the questions, the situation in which they arose, and proffered my input.

As an Emergency Nurse, I have come to the understanding that what a patient tells the Triage Nurse, is different from what they tell me, which is again different from what they tell the physician.  Same person, one motive, three different explanations/stories.

Life is simple.  Wake up, do, interact, sleep, repeat until death.  Oh, and eat every now and then!

Wants vs. Needs

A few days ago, I was talking with another Travel Nurse.  They wanted to know how I could travel, take a contract, and bring everything I needed on a bike.  Seems their car was stuffed and filled to the brim.

I chuckled.

The explanation that followed, was about minimalism.  Three shifts, four pairs of scrubs (just in case).  Appropriate amount of undergarments.  Purchase needed accessories/toiletries upon arrival.  One can buy a razor, deodorant, shoes, etc.  No need to haul it with you.  And donate anything left over when you leave.

Now I admit, I come and go.  So it is easier for me than someone who came from across the country and will be somewhere for a minimum of three months.  Yet, the principles still apply. 

Today, I learned that the facility I am at, has already requested to renew/extend my contract... a mere two weeks into it.  Humbling, to say the least.

This made me think.  I have certain things that I need to survive.  I also have wants.  Yet my number one want... is to have my needs met.

That, is the difference.

Carne Asada

Yesterday, I returned home for the first time in two weeks.  I started a new contract and between "orientation" and the first week of working, I stayed. 

As evening approached, my downstairs neighbors began grilling... the sweet smell of steak... ahhh

Now my next door neighbors are either friends or family to those below.  I know my next door neighbors better than my downstairs.  As I walked down to retrieve 2 weeks worth of mail, mostly junk by the way, I came back up, and was invited to share in their meal.

Carne asada, rice, beans, homemade tortillas, and salsa.  It was delicious!  We talked, shared, and I even learned a little more Spanish.

A pause...

A little over a month ago, I finished a contract in Tucson.  There were a series of events that made me take pause.  I actually took a full month off, in order to consider and think about things.

I eventually came to the realization that I am who I am and do what I do.  There is really nothing else I would want to do.  And, quite frankly, I am getting a little too old to change careers now...

So, I effectively hit the reset button.

I have just completed my first week on a new contract, in a familiar place.  I was surprised by the recognition, enthusiasm, and welcome when I returned!  Although it has been six months, it feels like it was only yesterday.  A few changes... yet that is the only thing constant in life... change!

My career has changed, however!  I am no longer a Health Care provider...  I am now a Medical Care worker.

I'll pause, and let that sink in.

Cooking

I can vaguely remember the first time I cooked.  It was more than following a recipe, you see I made it my own... I added hot dogs.

I really learned to cook when I was a firefighter.  The newbie, given the low-end jobs like cleaning bathrooms, rolling hoses, occasionally tested every now and then.  On a crawler, greasing axles more than once, running a few calls by myself, eventually the responsibility of both a truck and another person...

That's when I grew-up.

My epiphany came when I was almost cooked myself.  A brush-fire.  I knew the strategy and tactics needed.  When I was ordered to do something outside of it, I originally thought, OK.  Maybe there is more that I need to learn.  That day was the first day I ever truly saved a life, as I yelled at the reserve firefighter with me, to run.  We both hurdled that three foot high barbed-wire fence...

Chili, chicken cacciatore, ribs, casseroles, posole...  The difference between low and slow vs. hot and fast...  cooking, not preparing.

It has been an interesting journey to say the least!

I saw it again a week ago at a family picnic.

The one person, who seemed adamant that they would not cook... ended up cooking.  I sat there and smiled.  I did give a jab... and that caused a few more people to smile.

The one thing I miss, is that lately... I boil water, at most open a can.  The last time I cooked, it seemed like it was a never ending event,  A simple get-together with a few friends, ended up turning into a neighborhood event.  We started early, and were serving food by 4pm.  People kept coming, food kept arriving, soon we were inviting and asking people just walking by to join us. 

The secret?  Well, if you know, a 'wink' to you.  If you don't, a simple handshake will do...

Question of purpose...

About a month ago, I asked myself a question.  I still haven't heard, that is, answered, myself, yet...

There was a time that I was outspoken, opinionated, and downright argumentative.  I still speak, have an opinion, and still enjoy a good and fair discussion.

However, one of the most powerful things an individual has, is silence. 

It accomplishes a number of things!  The most important, is that it enables one to not only listen, yet hear as well.  When one hears, they begin to understand.  When one understands, they begin to see.  When one sees, they begin to know.

A lesson learned and remembered.