Monday, May 18, 2015
We all need a healthy dose of kindess
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”
Even though this quote, attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato, was written around the year 390 B.C., it still holds true today. We can all attest to the significant number of people around us that are struggling with issues, whether health challenges, financial stresses, or personal sorrows.
Did you ever have the experience of meeting someone, and
your first impression was the person was distant, reserved and detached? Then later you discovered that just
before that meeting the person was diagnosed with breast cancer? Or the seemingly irritable co-worker is
caring at home for her husband with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease? Or that the impatient young woman who
cuts in line at the pharmacy is so worried about her two sick toddlers at home? We don’t really know what struggles
someone else is experiencing.
Two of the most kind and positive people I know are Lauren
Rapp and Amy Hendry, Senior Director and Program Director, respectively, of the
Ledyard Senior Center. I asked
them how they deal with the multitude of problems presented by the senior
population day after day, yet seem to remain optimistic, patient and kind.
This is what they said. “We love our jobs, and more importantly, the seniors we work
for and serve. For us, there is no
other option than to be positive, hopeful, forgiving and honest. And to practice that with respect. We
build community. We are a safe place. No judgment. Just come and ‘be.’”
Lauren said, “I practice ‘forward ever, backward never,’ a
principle from my Dad that I was raised on.”
Sounds like a prescription for practicing kindness that we
can all emulate.
Alice Facente is a community health nurse for the Backus Health System. This advice should not replace the advice of your personal health care provider. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy Living blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
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