Monday, February 21, 2011

An Examined Life: Veni Vidi Vici!

I am honored by the fact that I was a part of peoples journey as they moved on to the spirit world. I was there moments before or soon after their death. Those of you who are not familiar with it. You see it. You know it is going to occur. A sense of calmness comes into the room and once they pass then there is an exhale, a release...

As I worked with these people and spent time with them prior to them dying, my job was to comfort them and make sure this transition was as easy as possible (Social Work terms). I would sit there listening to their stories for minutes to hours. I would hear about a lost love. I would hear about the riches that should have been acquired. I 'd hear about what they should have done in some situation. Ultimately, they would come to, if only things were different, I would have done X (Fill in the blank).

I acknowledged their mental acrobats and musings about the past because I recognized they were reviewing their life. I couldn't stop what was going to happen. I could only let them know that I was there to hear them. I was there to recognize their journey here.

Each of their stories reminded me to live my life to the fullest. To take an opportunity. To be willing to make a mistake. To try. Failure is only when I don't get up.

Their life reminded me to fully participate in mine so I won't be sitting there at the end telling a young intern or young professional my longings. Imagine this, me in an as eccentric outfit as I have and boldly stating, “Veni Vidi Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). Sigh!

ACT OVER

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