What I Consider Deep Thoughts...Sometimes I think I think too much

So I think a new post is well overdue. It is always the same problem that I have...what to blog about. So instead I just read all of yours, thus the last blog was written back in July. Maybe I will take the random thought approach today...

* How do we have open minds, but stand up for what we believe in a loving and non- judgemental way?

* This above question comes from a few different aspects of my life lately...

-Rob and I were discussing where we stand with gay rights. I finally decided that just like any other questionable choices, what effect does it have on society, and particularly a family?

-Who in this crazy election is truly going to represent what I believe? I think that Obama is very personable and I have been impressed with his wife, but he does not represent those policies and concepts that I believe in. Then there is McCain who I have no attachments to. I think that it is time to start researching more.

-There was an interesting letter to the editor in the HJ newspaper (yes I acknowledge it is not the most unbiased source) about social revolution and what stance the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints takes on gay marriages. There were a lot of mud slinging comments from readers to readers of the article. The Church has established a Proclamation to the World on the Family and they will stand by this. I share these beliefs. The challenge is how do we show love in a way that does not force our opinion on others, or should we be more vocal in our beliefs and actively fight the right to marry the same gender??? Lots of questions. It is such a fragile balance beam that we walk. President Hinkley was such an amazing example in the way he encouraged us to be non-judgemental and to love everyone.

"But there are many other things we must do as we move forward the work to a new and promising century. Simply put, we must be better Latter-day Saints. We must be more neighborly. We cannot live a cloistered existence in this world. We are a part of the whole of humanity.

A lawyer cometh unto Jesus, asking: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:36–40).

Let us love the Lord, yes, with all our strength and power. And let us also love our neighbors. Let us banish from our lives any elements of self-righteousness. Many regard us with suspicion, as having only one interest and that is to convert them. Conversion is more likely to come as a consequence of love. Let us be friendly. Let us be helpful. Let us live the Golden Rule. Let us be neighbors of whom it might be said, “He or she was the best neighbor I ever had.”"

As I was looking for a quote like the above I found that the whole article was quite applicable so here are a few more paragraphs.

"Now, what of the future? What of the years that lie ahead? It looks promising indeed. People are beginning to see us for what we are and for the values we espouse. The media generally treat us well. We enjoy a good reputation, for which we are grateful.
If we will go forward, never losing sight of our goal, speaking ill of no one, living the great principles we know to be true, this cause will roll on in majesty and power to fill the earth. Doors now closed to the preaching of the gospel will be opened. The Almighty, if necessary, may have to shake the nations to humble them and cause them to listen to the servants of the living God. Whatever is needed will come to pass.
The great challenges facing us and the key to the success of the work will be the faith of all who call themselves Latter-day Saints. Our standards are certain and unequivocal. We need not quibble about them. We need not rationalize them. They are set forth in the Decalogue written by the finger of the Lord on Mount Sinai. They are found in the Sermon on the Mount spoken by the Lord Himself. They are found elsewhere in His teachings, and they are found plainly set forth in the words of modern revelation. From the beginning these have served as our code of conduct. They must continue to so serve.
The future will be essentially the same as the past, only much brighter and greatly enlarged. We must continue to reach out across the world, teaching the gospel at home and abroad. A divine mandate rests heavily upon us. We cannot run from it. We cannot avoid it"

"Perhaps our greatest concern is with families. The family is falling apart all over the world. The old ties that bound together father and mother and children are breaking everywhere. We must face this in our own midst. There are too many broken homes among our own. The love that led to marriage somehow evaporates, and hatred fills its place. Hearts are broken, children weep. Can we not do better? Of course, we can. It is selfishness that brings about most of these tragedies. If there is forbearance, if there is forgiveness, if there is an anxious looking after the happiness of one’s companion, then love will flourish and blossom.
As I look to the future, I see little to feel enthusiastic about concerning the family in America and across the world. Drugs and alcohol are taking a terrible toll, which is not likely to decrease. Harsh language, one to another, indifference to the needs of one another—all seem to be increasing. There is so much of child abuse. There is so much of spouse abuse. There is growing abuse of the elderly. All of this will happen and get worse unless there is an underlying acknowledgment, yes, a strong and fervent conviction, concerning the fact that the family is an instrument of the Almighty. It is His creation. It is also the basic unit of society.
I lift a warning voice to our people. We have moved too far toward the mainstream of society in this matter. Now, of course there are good families. There are good families everywhere. But there are too many who are in trouble. This is a malady with a cure. The prescription is simple and wonderfully effective. It is love. It is plain, simple, everyday love and respect. It is a tender plant that needs nurturing. But it is worth all of the effort we can put into it.
Now, in closing, I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. We will be looked upon as a peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness."
...President Hinkley gave this talk clear back in 1997

* In the ER we have people that come in frequently seeking narcotics. As a nurse it is a huge challenge to ignore what others are saying concerning your patient, and just do your job. On the other hand, how do you take care of such a patient with the equality and respect any patient deserves, and yet avoid the manipulating that often coincides with these patients.

* I love the career I have chosen and love the Emergency Room. I love taking care of people. It is so very fullfilling! But my question is: why in the world did I choose a career and unit that revolves around a never-ending changing world; new equiptment, new protocols, new cases everyday, etc. For anyone who knows me well, you know that I do not like change. Apparently I am in the right career then huh? My safety bubble has been massacred.

* There is no room for OCD and perfection as a brand new nursing student or any nurse in the ER...you are always learning from your mistakes. Why does society expect nurses and doctors to never make mistakes. If you know anything about the medical field you will quickly discover that it is not a perfect science.

*On a similair note...No matter your financial circumstances, the Emergency Room is NOT a walk in clinic. Do not forget that instacare also serves a purpose. But do not go into instacare for chest pain either. Be Smart.

*If you have to wait for 15 minutes in the ER waiting room, I am sorry. But did you know that "across the country, the average emergency room wait time is now 222 minutes — that's 3 hours, 42 minutes." (NBC News, Tom Castello. And that is just to get into the ER. Don't get me wrong, each case is important, but keep in mind that someone down the hall may be in cardiac arrest.

* As a perfectionist how do I learn to be happy with being very imperfect?

* Why do I care so much what people think? I have never been able to "blow things off" or "let the water roll of my back." That's what ducks do and I just can't quite get my quack down.

It feels good to get a few thoughts down. Please do not be offended at any of my thoughts as that is exactly what they are...Sarah's brain cycling.