Advice / Life Lessons

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I've been getting versions of the same message from the ether this week, related to happiness, self esteem, sense of worth, being optimist vs. pessimist, appreciating what I have vs. complaining vs. looking for solutions.

My current work is very challenging and fulfilling. But I only arrived here after spending about 5 years getting angrier and angrier about nursing, developing a hatred of large employers of nurses (as some may have noticed ?) and just refusing to walk away from poor treatment and things I despised.

So I have some advice. I will try to keep it succinct.

- We can be more in control than we think. Even as individual people. A lot of what limits us is ourselves. Even when we have restrictions that are out of our control or that are within our control but are non-negotiable preferences, there is often still a way to make choices that are self-respecting and fulfilling.

- If we know we truly despise what we are doing, the balance is automatically tipped in favor of changing something; trying something different. We often hear someone say that the grass isn't always greener. No, it isn't. But that saying is meant for people who are already standing in green grass.

- Life is actually very short. Specifically as it relates to  work and employers, time spent fighting against people who don't value you and don't care about the things you care about is minutes, hours, days, months and years of your life straight up wasted. The time to do something different is right now.

That is all.

Add your own advice/life lessons below if you wish.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

A refreshing thread, JKL. From my point of view, your posts are well thought out and considered, making them enlightening & enjoyable reads.

Your "getting messages from the ether" reminded me of Thoreau's "music of the spheres"- that which comes to us through our higher sense of the world around us.

Your comments are grounded and wise. Thank you for them.

9 hours ago, JKL33 said:

Add your own advice/life lessons below if you wish.

More people need to put down their electronical devices, pick up a pen, and write down their thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc.

The benefits are twofold: Writing is much more cathartic & therapeutic than posting or texting for them and I don't have to see their childish rants.

4
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12 hours ago, JKL33 said:

I've been getting versions of the same message from the ether this week, related to happiness, self esteem, sense of worth, being optimist vs. pessimist, appreciating what I have vs. complaining vs. looking for solutions.

My current work is very challenging and fulfilling. But I only arrived here after spending about 5 years getting angrier and angrier about nursing, developing a hatred of large employers of nurses (as some may have noticed ?) and just refusing to walk away from poor treatment and things I despised.

So I have some advice. I will try to keep it succinct.

- We can be more in control than we think. Even as individual people. A lot of what limits us is ourselves. Even when we have restrictions that are out of our control or that are within our control but are non-negotiable preferences, there is often still a way to make choices that are self-respecting and fulfilling.

- If we know we truly despise what we are doing, the balance is automatically tipped in favor of changing something; trying something different. We often hear someone say that the grass isn't always greener. No, it isn't. But that saying is meant for people who are already standing in green grass.

- Life is actually very short. Specifically as it relates to  work and employers, time spent fighting against people who don't value you and don't care about the things you care about is minutes, hours, days, months and years of your life straight up wasted. The time to do something different is right now.

That is all.

Add your own advice/life lessons below if you wish.

Well said! 

2
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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
15 hours ago, JKL33 said:

Add your own advice/life lessons below if you wish.

Well acute adolescent Psych is no walk in the park but It has taken me a while to find balance. I find that I am in a more peaceful state when I am out of doors. I walk the hills by my home and forage for plants and mushrooms. I play with my dogs and plant new things in my green house and garden. Oh and let's not forget playing music from the 80's.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
20 hours ago, JKL33 said:

We often hear someone say that the grass isn't always greener. No, it isn't. But that saying is meant for people who are already standing in green grass.

Some very good thoughts in your words. I think that many times people become unhappy in situations, but "the devil you know...." keeps people rooted in the familiar rather than risk the something worse that could be out there. 

But you're absolutely right that life is short and remaining stuck in an awful situation that negatively impacts your overall quality of life isn't worth it for any job. A good reminder and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

No one in ANY business works for anything but a paycheck. With that in mind, if your employer needed to lay you off - for whatever reason - they would do it in a heartbeat without feeling bad about it. Therefore, if an opportunity comes up that will benefit you, take it and don't feel bad about it. But do give a full 30 days notice!

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