Connecting to the Work, Myself, and the World.

Back to the books

Level 5 is all online….. ALL of it. Except the clinical stuff of course, but the rest is all online. I thought it would be challenging and that was an understatement. There are a lot of readings….about a zillion I think, and multiple weekly discussions. I’m finding flow. I’m doing my best…..It’s already going by fast. While it has been nice doing homework in my jammies, I do miss seeing everyone and bouncing ideas off my friends. It takes serious self direction, and requires a real connection to what I am learning in order to commit.

Flexible body flexible mind

I have recently completed a 30 day yoga challenge. It started out as a way of getting me moving again, something physical to commit to- in an attempt to re-balance the energies that have been in constant flux since starting this program. I wanted to find peace. I heard the inner call for stillness so,  I just showed up. What followed was more than a kick start to healthier lifestyle. I was reminded why I loved yoga to begin with. The physical changes have been undeniable in the past 30 plus days, but more impressive than improved flexibility, increased concentration, and amazing sleep, is my renewed connection to myself, +++ patience, +++ acceptance in each moment.

In nursing we sometimes talk about becoming task focused and the impact this can have on our patient care. I became focused on the tasks of nursing school and the task of staying busy….. a tactic I so often employ when that inner voice starts to whisper, asking me to slow down….. I know when I hear that voice that I have some work to do inside. I am fully aware of the importance of taking time for myself, and I even brought that up in an entry from level 1…. I said “yoga from now on” because I knew that would be exactly what I needed…. I said it!..... and I think I went to 2 classes since then. I was so busy with the tasks of writing papers, creating presentations, studying for exams, working late nights, raising a young lady, helping out in a 3^rd world community, that I dismissed that whisper.... that inner knowing. I somehow justified not going, because something was always more important than me. I realize that if my bucket runs out, everything that I have been so focused on, is going to fall apart. Yoga fills my bucket. Time….quality time with Paige fills my bucket. Rich friendships fill my bucket. My connection to my family fills my bucket.

Taking it off the mat

Weather I do hot, hatha, flow, yin, or power, the results are the same. Stillness, peace, love. Yoga is about so much more than asana, and even if I fall out of every pose, or cant twist my legs around each other quite how I would like, there is value in showing up and finding stillness. I have learned acceptance. It took a long time to be able to stare at my reflection in those giant mirrors without adjusting something, fixing something, or just looking away. It is hard to look into the eyes of someone you have been purposefully ignoring for so long. It was tough to just be present without wanting to change something....

So I had to forgive myself for not showing up sooner, and in the same breath accept that I am perfect just the way I am. I had to breath.

I am feeling rejuvenated, grounded, focused, and light.

Opening the door

I  recently attended the Canadian Student Nurse Association’s national conference where I got to hear some very motivational, informative speakers, and connect with students from all over Canada. Global healthcare has been on my mind for some time, and I can almost palpate the potential benefit of connecting our communities. What started as a desire to see another culture, to see nursing in a totally different context, has grown to be something so much bigger. I am currently working on a project to inject globalization into my nursing program and would absolutely love to hear from my readers  outside of BC (of course my BC friends are always welcome to leave a comment as well :). Where are you from? Are you in nursing? What is it like for you? I know we can learn so much from each other and I would love to get the conversation going. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Remember to fill your buckets!

xoxo Alana- Student Nurse