Six Months

"You have six months to live..." The words linger in the doctor's month. 
"No, take that back; this has to be a dream." The patient pinched himself. Nothing. The words punch him in the chest, knocking him to the ground in tears as reality sinks in.

It's hard to do, but close your eyes and imagine yourself in that situation... Now open them, and continue reading--pretty please.

You can really learn a lot from someone who is very ill or dying. I'm starting to think that nursing is not about caring or healing the patient as much as it is about just being there for them... Learning about life... Changing the way we think. And, it's about teaching other who are still living the things we've learned from the dying. I feel rather selfish because I teach my patients so much everyday, but I think my job has taught me so much more about life and living. Don't get me wrong... I do heal my patients, making sure their care is the best enhancement for their quality of life. But, some patients are terminal--they cannot be healed [physically]. I find this is where my job takes a turn... I'm no longer the teacher. I'm no longer the caregiver. I'm not a nurse. But... I'm a friend. A listener. The learner.

Death:  it's a powerful teaching tool for life and living.

However, I don't know why it takes death and dying to show people things about life. Maybe it's because everything else become irrelevant--nothing matters anymore... But the time you have left with family and friends... But living... And love... It all boils down to love.

I can't even imagine how it must feel to know you are about to die--six months to live. Though, I imagine all other life's problems are much inferior. A lot of us, most of us, go about life all wrong... At least until it's too late.

Ryan Gosling

Who cares about the latest gossip column on Ryan Gosling? Who cares about the football game on Sunday? Who cares about the new Halo game... A shiny new car? The newest trends? The next iPhone [that is exactly the same as the previous model with the headphone jack on the opposite end].

We all do... But should we?

I can only express what I know and have learned. I know there is much more to life, but it is taken for granted. We tend to rob ourselves of happiness by not doing the things we love and care about the most. We put so much hard work towards the things that, in the end, don't matter at all. I think we can all agree that life is about living... Being with the people we care about... And loving. 

Why not do just that?

Today, I challenge you to sit down and to think about life. Write down what really matters to you--what you value and cannot live without. What keeps you living? What keeps you optimistic? Whatever that is... I challenge you to do everything you can today in order to do it. If it's your mom, call her; tell her you love her. If it's food, eat! Give up your diet for the day. Enjoy whatever it is while you still can. 

You just never know when you'll only have six months to live. Welp, that is unless you're a Mayan. According to them, we all have less than six months to live.

Might as well enjoy it!

Live. Love... While you still can.

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Update: 

Life is going really well in Washington. It rains more than every now and then, but I don't mind it one bit. The people here are really open-minded and receptive--like that a lot. I have met some new people, along with enjoying the time with my friends already here. The worst thing so far is having a full bladder and cold hands. Or, having a cold toilet seat and having to... Well, you know... Though, I have noticed an increase in suicidal and depression rates here. But, that is not me! I can't believe I have been in Washington for almost two months already. I miss my friends and family from back home a lot. I can't wait to visit home again. I was hoping to for the holidays, but I'm the lowest man on the totem pole at work again. Grrr... That's okay... Soon! My mom did come visit me, however. It was funny. I was joking with her on a Thursday to come visit for the weekend and before I knew it, I was buying her a plane ticket that flew to Seattle the following morning. Talk about spontaneous and living life. I love her very much. 

Welp, I think that's all for now. I truly am bless to have a great job and a lot of great people in my life.

Rankin Out.