A Healthy Dose of 2011 Reflection

As we wrap up 2011 and look towards 2012, I can’t help but think of the quote by Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

For many, 2011 was a good year marking the climb out of the economic recession.  The unemployment rate slowly decreased at the same time we saw a rebound in the housing market.  This is good. However, for others 2011 marked a year of health challenges either as a patient or caregiver. Illness doesn’t discriminate. Each of us can find ourselves stricken with a significant illness or have that illness affects a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, or even stranger.  If you’ve been fortunate and can look back on 2011 as a good year, now is a great time to look towards 2012 as the year where you can make a difference in the lives of others. Let 2012 be the year that you focus your energies on helping others to feel better.

Support caregivers – The burden of caregiving can be overwhelming. Simple acts of kindness from others can alleviate some of those burdens and allow a caregiver to continue their selfless efforts.

•  Offer to run errands
•  Drop off a meal
•  Offer to “sit” for a designated period of time
•  Help with home maintenance (housekeeping, yard work, etc.)
•  Lend an open ear and open heart

Support health related organizations - Many of us are so busy with our lives that we don’t often have the ability to give our “time” to others. If that is true for you, you can still support those organizations through donations and communications.

•  Sponsor someone who is walking for a cause
•  Donate clothing and household items to local charities
•  Offer to post events at your place of work, your social media sites or at your church
•  Purchase items from organizations that contribute a portion of their profits to health-related organizations

Just as Maya Angelou stated, “people will never forget how you made them feel”. Let 2012 be the year that you make a difference in the lives of others.

Take care and be well. Happy New Year!

R. Thompson, MSN, RN, CMSRN