Friday's Personal Journal: What Do You See When You Look At Someone...

One of the great things about my job is diversity.  Being the only dietitian on staff, I get to treat everything and everyone.  No specialty here, I get to deal with any disease that is thrown my way.  I like it that way.  I work in five different units that all interact in a fairly smooth, cohesive, friendly manner.....except for one.  It's the one no one wants to visit or work in because of serious misperceptions and stereotypes.  The patients there make everyone feel uncomfortable.  (For privacy reasons, I won't say which unit.)

I have been called in twice to consult on patients there.  When I took the job, I was told that we really didn't have anything to do with that unit, that maybe we would go over every six months or so...that they didn't need those services I provide.  I much to my regret, initially took that attitude.  I found that nothing could have been further from the truth.  I stepped back today when I was over there and really looked at the people, patients and staff.

The staff seemed surprised that I spoke to them with respect.  The patients must have thought I'd run away with fear instead of shake their hand.  The Doctor seemed shocked that I took him seriously.  It seemed strange that I would sit and visit with the patients and treat them as normal, decent human beings.  They were surprised to see me more than once for the same patient for followup education.  They asked tentatively if I would come to the multidisciplinary team meeting.  Of course I'd go. 

  Why that response?....I don't know.  To me, I'm just doing my job or more appropriately, behaving as a decent human being.  We all do that right?  We don't judge the things we can't understand?  Can you look in another human being's eyes and see a reflection similar to your own?  We all want the same things on some level:  Love, Respect, Kindness, Acceptance.  Why do we deny some people that privilege?  It's something to think about.

I left work today with a renewed sense of compassion for all human beings, not just the ones who make you feel comfortable.  I hope that you can look at the people you interact with daily and discover how you really treat them, feel about them, act around them...it may just surprise you and hopefully wisen you to the value of all or better yet, just one human being.  Be brave and let them know you love them.  It's therapy for the soul.  Later Mates.