Lately, the world has been a terrible place. For the past two weeks, my newsfeed has been exploding with horrific violence in Paris, then ignorant, xenophobic comments on Facebook, and finally Donald Trump. This crap hardens your soul, and I’m lucky enough not to have to live in the direct line of fire. Life can be awful. People can be awful. I’m so lucky because most of my life is filled with people who amaze me all the time. But sometimes, it seems like the world just wants to push the big red button. I am saying this with full acknowledgement that even the things I love will cause heartache.
As much as I would be happy to say OT is always lighthearted and silly, in actuality therapists arrive in someone’s life at the worst time. Typically, it’s after a diagnosis, injury, or surgery. When we talk about meeting new clients in class, I sometimes picture walking into a room unannounced, during a very intimate conversation. There is an uncomfortable lull, and you know that you are the last person this family wants to see. Health care is not an easy field. Any healthcare worker could give you numerous stories of their best, and worst days. It’s going to be hard. Somedays, it already feels hard.
First year OT students have an introduction to conditions class, it’s the tip of the iceberg for disease and disability. The class can be rough, it’s hard hearing about symptoms that affect so many people. Now, I know as OTs you focus on modification, improving quality of life, adapting, and enhancing occupational performance. But, you know that there will be cases that will be hard on your heart. It’s the nature of the job, and something I’ll learn to live with. Sometimes, I worry that it will interrupt my ability to be a good therapist. I have some anxiety there, I have some fears lurking in the corner that i’m not quite ready to tackle. But here is some perspective, and I might just be writing this for me, but I believe that there is always an opportunity for good. I am an optimist at heart. I’ve been called, “too happy”, “too emotional”, and “too sensitive” more times than I can count. -- And yes, I also thought the “too happy” comment was a bit ridiculous, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Anyway, I see the glass as half-full. I like cheering people on, and giving a pep-talk gets me stoked on life.
Bad things are going to happen in life. It’s inevitable. If someone goes through life without a broken-heart of some-sort then they are doing sometime wrong. I saw this video the other day on empathy over sympathy. It helped me put perspective on all the sad things we experience. Getting hurt sucks, whether it’s a bad breakup, or losing someone close to us, it’s a terrible, painful process. However, while some may choose to go through life void of emotion. I believe that raw, true connection is where we discover those people we cannot live without. In grief, or sadness there is no "bright side", sometimes you have to go through the worst case scenario. It's hard, and awful, but you discover that there is always someone there. Wanting to hold you up, wanting to hug you, wanting to cry with you. That's how we find love, friendship, and companionship. This is applicable to any scale of sadness, there is always someone there for you. This is a reminder for myself, and for you too, dear reader. There is someone who cares about you, maybe you have known them for years, or maybe you will meet them down the line.
Humans are durable. We’ve had to be. We’ve already gone through so much as a species. And yes, we are the reason for a lot of destruction in the world, but we also contribute to the beauty. So, in light of Thanksgiving this week, go call a friend you haven’t spoken with for awhile, write a ‘thank you’ note to someone important in your life. Show appreciation to the people and world around you. Spread some goodness. There is a lot to be thankful for.
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