First Week

I've been back on the ambulance, as a paramedic, for a week, now. And, and in some ways, it's as if I never left. Sure, there's new medications, treatments, diagnostic tools, equipment, policies, and procedures. But, sick people are still sick people. And I, amazingly enough, have the ability to help make them better.

And the stress associated? Sure, exists with any job. But, this time around, I feel...well..you know the expression, "I wish I'd known then what I know now?"

I do.

And it makes a huge difference. It's easy to let yourself hyper focus on the small stuff. But, when you just focus on running each call, one at a time, and doing your best to improve a patient condition...even it it's just to make them smile or laugh...you discover a whole new layer to the "job."

My advice to anyone starting out or maybe just a few years in: don't get hung up on the details...focus on the patient. Don't take work home with you. Although, if you remember that patient care includes smiling patients because you had a great conversation with them...then taking work home is actually a good thing!

Four Stages of Team Development

Between EMS, teaching, and Scouting, I’ve attended A LOT of workshops. I’ve been on A LOT of teams. Every time there has been a common course of development. Psychologist Bruce Tuckman originally coined the phrase, “forming, storming, norming, and performing” in his 1965 article “Developmental Sequence in Small Groups.” I’ve seen plenty of groups go through these four stages. Go through them, double back, repeat, perform, storm, norm, and back to perform.

Never, ever, have I been part of a team that went from forming to HIGH performing, and never went through the other stages.

Until now.

I’ve been watching carefully over the last 5 weeks for something to happen. And it did. This team performed. This team has each other’s backs. This team takes the initiative to step forward and lead when there is a need without being told.

We’re down to just a few class days left. After that we all go separate ways to different shifts, only to see a few others occasionally for weekly testing. Graduation is in three months, after some field internship...which will mark that final time this team comes together. After that. Well, after that, we’ll likely bump fists, high five, or grab hugs when we cross paths on calls and at hospitals.

It’s been a terrific ride! Gonna miss working each day with this team. Go Dirty 30!!

Oh, hi Princess!!

Who, me??

Holy crap. I just got brought down a couple of notches, but in a very good way. Real quick, and not to brag, but to help put this all in perspective.

I started volunteering in public safety at the ripe old age of 18. It was all adventure! One thing led to another and I became a volunteer EMT at Cary Area Rescue Squad (EMS). Oddly enough, a few months later, they offered me a job. I had to advance through certifications to keep it, which meant night classes.

Two years later I became a certified paramedic. I OWNED the world (So I thought, inside of my little 21 year mind!).

I had no idea that my career would end up in education. After 14 years of full-time field work, I became a teacher. I didn't plan on that. I didn't know how long I would do it.

Then...you have that encounter that changes everything. One student....scared to the point of trembling as I collected EMT class final exams. I could have made her wait until the next day, when I planned on grading them. But I just couldn't. She was SO stressed. She passed! On her own! I just supplied the information and learning environment.

Happy ending, right? Then, IT happens. You get elevated by that student to a status you feel uncomfortable at. After all, I just taught the class. SHE had to pass, right?

This student....for the past 20 years....has called me her "hero." Yet...SHE accomplished her goal, NOT me!

The point I'm making is that you can spend a lifetime wondering just what the hell you are doing, and never realize the impact you have on other lives. TO THIS DAY she views me as her hero...and I am humbled by this. And I am, extremely, honored by it.

My dad has always felt that a worthy life is one giving back to society. But, it's hard to tell, in the middle of it all, that THAT is exactly what is happening!

I am just me. That's all there is to it. But, apparently, I have been in the right place at the right time to to be part of a positive outcome.

We ALL have that opportunity. Just always remember: "You never know when you are setting an example, but you can always know what kind of example you are setting."

To my Academy brothers and sisters: don't listen to any of this old man's rambling...except: You WILL make a difference. There's no two ways about it. You are destined to be at least one person's hero. Earn it. Put everything you have into your love of caring for people. And...unbeknownst to you...you will be many peoples' hero. And that's a good thing.

Merry Christmas! Er...Seasons Greetings! Wait, no, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

I saw a post about Christ in Christmas. So many places Of business opt for “Season’s Greetings.”

While there are a couple other celebrations happening in December, let’s be honest....it’s CHRISTMAS the retail world is recognizing, if not celebrating.

I’ve got friends who are Muslim, Jewish, and even a Buddhist. I will wish them a Merry Christmas in the best tradition of Christian welcome and fellowship. I’m pretty sure they will know where I’m coming from and what I hope for them. And, I’m pretty sure they won’t feel I’ve tried to discriminate or convert them.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Seasons Greetings!

Trivia ahead.....

Yuletide (12days of Christmas): Dec. 25-Jan. 5 (Epiphany Eve) Traditionally celebrated for centuries

Advent Season: Fourth Sunday before Christmas until Christmas Day

Began celebrating in North America as its economic impact became apparent

Mid-20th century, cultural sensitivity led to the use of simply The Season

Legal: The government (at all levels) has been challenged when displaying Christmas icons, and most have changed to using more subtle references, as well as including other religions’ icons.

 Some have recently determined to use the terms “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays,” while others have switched to “Merry Christmas.”

There are many Christian denominations that don’t celebrate Christmas.

So, now where do we go with this? Is it wrong to say Seasons Greetings? Is it wrong to say Merry Christmas?

Maybe we need, instead, to look at where we are coming from. Let’s start with the “Golden Rule.”

Matthew 7:12

The Most Important Rule

12 “Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.

 Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus answered:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets[a] are based on these two commandments.

What are we trying to say or do, as Christians, when we say Merry Christmas? What exactly does this mean?

Well, middle of the first millennia, the word merry had a different meaning than it does today. It meant pleasant, peaceful, and agreeable. So, when John Fisher wrote Thomas Cromwell a seasons greetings letter in 1540, he said,

 “And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire.”

Now enter Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge in Victorian 1843 with the now current Merry Christmas, when the word merry began to mean jovial and outgoing.

We’re still behind the eight ball.

Again, WHAT is it we are trying to say??

Have a Merry Christmas! Do you mean you want me to have fun and be friendly? Do you want me to be peaceful?

We, as Christians, are charged with making Disciples, as decreed by the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

 Are the critics right? Are we trying to convert them...away from their own religion...when we offer a Christian expression of good tidings? Aren’t we (Christians) supposed to convert them??

Whew.....this is much more complex than the Hallmark Channel makes it out to be.

Let’s consider this. How do we want to make people feel?

Here it is, it’s your turn.

What if what we want to say is this:

This is a time of celebration for Christians. A time when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. You may not believe in Him. But, He would want me to treat you as my brothers and sisters. With that heartfelt message, I greet you in a way that is meaningful to me. Feel free to greet me in a way that is meaningful to you.

Afterall, isn’t that what Christ wants? Not only to make disciples and followers to obey His law, but for us all to live in love and peace.

Dark Side: But....if they don’t believe in Him, aren’t they going to Hell?

According to Jesus, one must believe in Him to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He doesn’t say where they will be if they don’t go to Heaven.

He is quoted in John 14:6,

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

We’d like to see everyone learn of God’s benevolence, and accept who He is.

But, maybe, when the person we’re greeting can’t or won’t, we can at least offer them a message of peace and love.

I’ve got friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Baha’i. I will wish them a Merry Christmas in the best tradition of Christian welcome and fellowship. I’m pretty sure they will know where I’m coming from and what I hope for them. And, I’m pretty sure they won’t feel I’ve tried to discriminate or convert them.

My wish for a Merry Christmas, for me, is my message intended to wish anyone well, regardless or what religion or even no religion. Might be worth a try.

Merry Christmas!