Faith, Balance, and Endurance: Temperance Across Occupations

 

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The wise man knows that he knows not anything.- G. K. Chesterton.

Perseverance is the currency of faith; difficulty often presents opportunities for faith, as Harvard professor Tyler VanderWeele emphasizes in his book A Theology of Health, which articulates the interconnectedness of wellness, illness, and spirituality (VanderWeel, 2024). What do being a soldier, an athlete, a farmer, and a caregiver have in common? Each faces uncertainty despite their preparation and commitment. A soldier may dedicate themselves to service and still not return home. An athlete can weight train, sleep, and diet relentlessly but never place first. Even the most diligent farmer cannot guarantee a harvest every season. Despite a caregiver's best efforts, it is often impossible to offer relief to those who are suffering. In each case, effort does not guarantee results, yet these archetypes persevere, and resilience and temperance are virtues necessary.

According to VanderWeele (2024), temperance is the practiced virtue of abstaining from excessive pleasure and resisting temptations. Aristotle described temperance as finding the mean—acting with balance rather than in extremes. I have written about that here. Practicing temperance helps us develop resilience, teaching us to persevere when things do not go our way. When faced with setbacks, do we seek solace in faith and our relationship with God, or do we turn to fleeting earthly comforts? VanderWeele (2020), in Religion and Human Flourishing, explains that flourishing involves achieving balance in all areas of life. From a Christian perspective, spiritual flourishing means maintaining a harmonious relationship with God, especially as we approach the final days of life.

References:

Chesterton, G. K. (1925). The Everlasting Man. https://ccel.org/

VanderWeele, T. J. (2020). Spiritual Well-Being and Human Flourishing. In A. B. Cohen, Religion and Human Flourishing: Ed. (pp. 43–54). Baylor University Press. https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/religious-communities

VanderWeele, T. J. (2024). A Theology of Health: Wholeness and Human Flourishing. University of Notre Dame Press. https://doi.org/10.1353/book.129052

Small Gatherings, Big Callings: How Scripture Shapes the Way I Lead

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There’s a familiar feeling that comes with Sunday mornings: the sense that it’s time for church, time to get showered and ready to go. However, since the pandemic, the way we gather has changed. With online services, flexible schedules, and our current family group, we now meet sporadically. When we gather in person, it’s often all together in the San Fernando Valley; for small groups, we meet in someone’s home, hosted by a member of our community.

Typically, we begin our gatherings with prayer and thanksgiving, followed by a brief message and Scripture reading. We then partake of the sacraments—usually a plate of Triscuits or Wheat Thins passed around, and a small paper cup of Welch’s grape juice. After a moment of silent reflection and prayer, we enjoy fellowship as a community of believers here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Bible study has been a steady part of my life ever since my baptism. I’m not trying to be overly zealous here—just honest about the comfort and wisdom I find in Scripture. One of my favorite things is following those cross-references in the margins, seeing how verses connect across the Bible. The Thompson Chain Reference Bible is a great resource for this, but even the side notes in most translations help point out connections, whether between the Old and New Testaments or within a single book. It’s a simple pleasure that keeps me grounded and curious about my faith.

As a leader, my faith deeply influences how I respond to, treat, and interact with others, especially in professional relationships. While I am accountable to my organizational leader, I am ultimately responsible to God. Remembering who I truly serve guides me in supporting and leading my direct reports with integrity and compassion.

Even Jesus, when his disciples were focused on their own ambitions and hoping for special treatment—believing he would become a powerful earthly king—reminded them that he did not come to be served, but to serve others (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, Mark 10:45). This example of servant leadership is one I reflect on often in my own role. The servant-leader mindset, as taught by the Greenleaf Institute, is more important than ever, especially in healthcare. With ongoing challenges like labor shortages and financial pressures, organizations need leaders who put others’ needs first. Servant leaders are able to meet the challenges of both those they serve and those they lead. Greenleaf (2008) suggests that true servant-leaders serve first because their genuine desire is to help others, and only then do they seek to lead. This approach continues to inspire my work and perspective on leadership.

Centuries ago, Thomas Aquinas addressed the argument of design in defense of the question, "Does God exist?" I share the belief that, just as an artist creates a lasting portrait, God intentionally created everything we see. There was a beginning—a moment of purposeful creation—rather than something coming from mere chance. As Aquinas (1952, p. 13) suggests, our world is the result of masterful design, not a random accident. This perspective also shapes my view of leadership: organizational influence does not happen by accident or mistake, but through intentional design and thoughtful action. My actions are a direct result of some influence on me, for example, the following.

“Don’t ask for a long life, don’t ask for wealth, and don’t wish harm on your enemies” (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, 1 Kings 3:1-12). What does this mean? Solomon’s father, King David, wasn’t perfect, but he consistently aimed to be faithful, to act with integrity, and to make wise judgments as a leader. When Solomon, David's son, became king, he recognized his own limitations and inexperience and turned to God—not to ask for riches or revenge, but for two things: a discerning heart to be a good follower himself and to lead his people well, and the wisdom to tell good from evil.

As someone who works in healthcare, I understand the importance of working hard to provide for one's family—it's an honorable and deeply valued pursuit. There’s nothing wrong with building a career or striving for success; in fact, God created us to work and contribute. However, I believe Jesus cautions us against letting personal ambition overshadow our concern for others. When our own success becomes more important than the well-being of those around us, we risk losing sight of what truly matters.

It’s important to remember that all our achievements are ultimately possible because of God’s provision. This idea is echoed in the message God gave to Moses for the Israelites after they escaped Egypt. As they began to prosper—with growing bank accounts, homes, and property—God warned them not to become proud or forget the One who makes prosperity possible (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, Deut. 8:11-13).

Together in the struggle,

Brian

References:

Aquinas, T. (1952). The Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas. In R. M. Hutchins The Great Books of the Western World (Vol. 19, pp. 12-14  ). Encyclopedia Britannica

Greenleaf, R. K. (2008). The servant as leader. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1999). Cornerstone Bible Publishers. (original work published 1973)

From Classroom to Code Blue: How my First Emergency Changed Me

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   How often do you find yourself pondering the inevitability of life’s end? It's a sobering thought, and in my line of work, it is a daily reality-some patients reach the end of life. I believe that God has shown me his words are truthful through the experiences I have had working in the hospital. I have told others and shared my personal testimony that He has shown me how short life is through my work in the hospital. One of the ways that God's word comes to life for me is the Psalms, “Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how transitory I am.” This may not come as a surprise, but it is not meant as amusement. It's a simple truth. 

    I want to share my first coding experience because it reflects the fragility of life. In the hospital, people get sick. Some we diagnose and treat, and they recover and leave, yet I've seen my share of other patients who come into the hospital and never leave. However, amid the solemnity, there is a quiet grace that often accompanies these end-of-life moments, an unspoken hope that lingers like a gentle whisper. It's a reminder that even in the face of life's end, there is a profound beauty in the time we have, enriching the morbid side of life that becomes very real when you work daily in intensive care units and procedure areas, constantly reminded of life's brevity. What scenes from your own life remind you that time is finite, prompting you to cherish each moment a little more deeply?

    My first experience with death was as a new graduate in the unit. This was a cardiac specialized unit. During each shift, we had five nurses caring for ten patients, providing a 2:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, with a relief charge nurse on hand. The unit was overseen by a director, and we had the support of a clinical nurse specialist. The position provided me with an opportunity, directly out of RN school, to practice under an emergency permit with the expectation that I would take my examination and licensing boards within six months of being hired. It was a great opportunity. I was enrolled in a new grad residency program that placed me in direct mentorship with a senior RN for 6 months, and I attended classes taught by nurse educators while working part-time in the unit and earning a salary. The mentorship extended to 12 months beyond the initial program. I thought I knew enough as an RN graduate, but I soon learned and was humbled in my first year caring for sick patients in the unit.

    Sadly, the very first time I coded a patient in their middle adult years who recently had heart surgery, I remember when the patient came into the unit and reported not "feeling right." The patient had just recently completed a physical endurance event, and their body weight and frame revealed nothing out of the ordinary. As a new nurse, I had been studying in my off time about our patient population of heart failure, but I did not recognize at the time how sick the patient was. I started electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, which continuously monitors the heart’s electrical conduction, and we continuously monitored a waveform on the monitor, along with blood pressure and pulse oximetry, to provide up-to-date vital signs regarding the patient's hemodynamics. Our physician had ordered that the patient receive a SWAN/GANS catheter, a lumen catheter inserted from the right side of the neck through the jugular vein and placed just above the right atrium of the heart in the superior vena cava. You can think of it as a pressure gauge for the heart; it measures pressures in the different chambers and provides real-time data on heart function, specifically cardiac output, which is how much blood the heart pumps in a given amount of time. If the heart is weak and damaged, the cardiac output is not that of a healthy heart. I hope this makes sense. Anyway, my patient’s heart was sick and needed to be optimized.

    In the medical sense, optimization for patients with worsening heart failure means the healthcare team starts using medicines to reduce the workload on the heart. This is accomplished in different ways, such as lowering volume through fluid restriction and diuresis with medications, as well as by using medicines that affect the heart directly, such as positive inotropes, beta-blockers, and anti-arrhythmic medications, to assist the heart and improve heart function. For example, some patients who have undergone a heart transplant take other anti-rejection medications and immunosuppressive medications to further optimize the body so that it does not aggressively reject foreign tissue. As I left for the day, a mix of emotions ran through me—anxiety about the precarious balance we had to maintain in optimizing the patient's treatment and a determination to make a difference in their care. My patient was admitted to the unit overnight, and I left that evening and would return the next day. In our unit, we would practice continuity of care, and basically, if you were on shift and were coming back the next day, you would get the same assignment as the previous one because you knew the patient. It makes giving reports a lot easier because you are familiar with the patient.

    The next day, when I came into work, I received my patient assignments.  I took care of this individual the next day and, after a brief rundown of the night before, assumed care of my patient and began my assessment.  As an RN, we start the shift with a thorough patient assessment and chart checks, including reviewing completed physician orders and administering prescribed therapies.  I remember doing my physical assessment, talking to the patient, listening to the lungs and heart, and at the time, the lungs were clear. I also listened to the heart sounds; S1 and S2 were faint. Those are the “lub-dub, lub-dub” sounds one hears when auscultating (listening) over the heart.  I remember them being faint, and I checked the EKG on the monitor and saw the voltage was low. The EKG showed a dampened or weak rhythm compared to a normal rhythm.

    The patient's demeanor began to shift as the morning wore on. They sat slightly hunched, their breathing more labored, and though the monitor still showed a pulse oximetry above 94% on room air, something felt different. Their skin took on a clammy, pallid tone, and a fine sheen of perspiration covered their forehead. When the patient whispered, "I don't feel well," the vulnerability in their voice resonated deeply with me. In that moment, I recognized the importance of not just clinical data but listening closely to what my patients were telling me. This became a turning point in my practice—reminding me that behind every monitor and assessment is a person whose words and instincts can reveal what numbers sometimes cannot. From that day forward, I promised myself to always honor the human experience in my patient assessments, especially in those quiet moments when a patient expresses discomfort or fear.

    But I, caught up in my routine, continued to assess my other patient that morning, following the usual process. I began by entering each room, quickly scanning the environment for safety hazards and equipment issues. I checked the monitors for vital signs, greeted my patients to gauge their responsiveness, and examined the intravenous drips—confirming flow rates, dosages, and that all IV sites were intact and free from complications. This was my standard workflow before moving on to the comprehensive, head-to-toe assessment later in the shift.

    When it was time for morning medications, I carefully prepared and administered oral medications, including Lasix—a potent diuretic that helps the heart by reducing excess fluid in the body. I helped patients with breakfast, updated my charts, and checked for new physician orders for our unit secretary to process. To put the importance of Lasix into perspective: think about how, every time you drink water and later urinate, your body is quietly working to maintain a delicate internal balance. In healthy individuals, the heart and kidneys work in harmony to maintain fluid levels just right. As nurses, we aim to support and restore that natural equilibrium, especially for those whose hearts can no longer manage on their own.

    However, in the presence of heart failure, a diseased heart, or acute rejection by the body, if you are taking in fluid, the heart is unable to compensate for the increased fluid volume, and the patient does not make urine to remove this extra volume because heart function is poor.  To assist the body in ridding itself of excess volume and to reduce the workload on the heart, diuretics help the kidneys expel excess fluid.   My patient received a dose of Lasix, and I remember leaving the room to continue with my activities of the day.

    I remember our unit had a nurse assistant, telling me that my patient had reported feeling 'dizzy.' This time, I immediately entered the room and recorded the blood pressure at 65/30. The patient was lying in bed, and I asked how they were doing; again, the patient reported feeling 'lightheaded.' I rechecked the blood pressure; however, the monitor did not register a sufficient systolic, diastolic, MAP, or mean arterial pressure. More importantly, the blood pressure was less than 50, and I knew this was not good, as I could not feel a radial pulse at all; it was weak and thready. I recall the unsettling sensation of the pulse slipping away beneath my fingertips, the warmth diminishing with each passing moment, leaving a cold imprint of urgency in its absence.

    Appropriately, I called one of the senior nurses into the room and reapplied the pressure. This time, the blood pressure was 50/34. The patient was reporting increased dizziness and not feeling well, and we immediately started intravenous dopamine to support the blood pressure. Not long after beginning the dopamine, the patient grabbed my arm and told me, "Brian, tell my family that I love them." I remember telling the patient, "You're going to tell them yourself. You are going to be alright; I am here." Those were the last words the patient ever spoke, and I was the last person to whom they were spoken. Imagine hearing that in your first months as a new graduate nurse, unprepared for this. The following moment I recall is a mega code that lasted at least 3 hours. Trying to resuscitate this patient was difficult and tiresome. We ran the code with CPR and drugs, and even a cardio-thoracic surgeon came to the bedside to put the patient on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). ECMO is a procedure in which a doctor inserts large-bore catheters into one’s femoral artery and vein, which are then connected to a machine that circulates and oxygenates the blood because the heart is unable to do so. It is incredibly invasive and gruesome to do in a chaotic environment.

    Walking out of the unit that day, exhausted and emotionally spent, I realized that nursing is as much about compassion and presence as it is about clinical skill. I learned that sometimes, despite doing everything right, the outcome can still be tragic—and that being there for a patient in their final moments is an act of profound humanity. This experience taught me to listen more closely to my patients, to trust my instincts, and to never underestimate the impact of a simple, reassuring word or gesture. Above all, I learned that every life, no matter how brief or fragile, deserves dignity, respect, and care. These lessons continue to shape me, both as a nurse and as a person, reminding me that in the face of loss, there is still space for empathy and growth.

Together in the struggle,

Brian

Stripped Down to Strength: Becoming a Marine

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I was in the second phase of Marine Corps boot camp at Edson Range, where we learned to handle the M16A2 rifle with precision. Sundays were usually for writing letters home, polishing boots, and enjoying a short chapel service. But this Sunday stood out. It left me pondering: What does true strength mean, and how do I cultivate it through this particular situation? What does this moment have to do with becoming a Marine?

The California heat filled the squad bay, mixing with the smell of sweat and nervous anticipation. My rack mate and I sat together on our splintered footlockers, our backs sticking to the metal bed frames, while the scribe recruit closed the curtains for privacy. Silence settled in, heavy and unyielding, as if the air itself was holding its breath. I glanced at my rack mate, meeting his eyes just briefly before we both looked away, unsure of what to expect. A shuffle of feet, an awkward cough, and then the moment stretched a little longer. Then we heard the order: "Hug your rack mate."

We sat there, arms around each other, roughly thirty-five pairs of recruits forming a circle, all of us feeling awkward and unsure. The hug itself wasn’t what embarrassed me. It was being stripped of everything: no camouflage fatigues, no green t-shirt, no white underwear, no black boot socks, no comfort, and not even our pride. We were as exposed as we had ever been, both physically and emotionally.

In that hot, shaded squad bay, I held my equally embarrassed rack mate. We were both sweating, and the smell was intense; the odors of perspiration clung to our foreheads, chests, and bodies. For the first time, I wondered: What did I get myself into? Amidst the sensory barrage, a fragment of my childhood flashed before me—would that Gulf Coast Texas kid, dreaming of being a Rambo or the next Commando, the hero I saw in movies, make it out of here? Here I was, facing the grime but feeling a flicker of resolve inside me, a quiet reminder of the strength I had always sought. This raw, uncomfortable moment contrasted starkly with my youthful aspirations, but perhaps this was the challenge I needed for transformation.

This might not be the introduction you expected. I'm not offering a polished self-help book. Instead, you'll find a carefully curated collection of journal entries and notes I've gathered over the years. At first, I wanted to write a memoir for my children—a handbook from Dad. As the idea grew, I realized I could share my story with more people. No matter who reads this, my goal is the same: to share my journey as a U.S. Marine, father, husband, registered nurse, and follower of Jesus. If anyone questions my right to write, I rely on my training and experience. At its core, this memoir seeks to reach anyone striving for resilience and purpose, guiding you to find strength in your own life's challenges, just as I did in mine.

When I arrived in San Diego in July and stepped onto the yellow footprints as a recruit from Texas, the drill instructors met me right away. Amid the chaos and noise, one of their voices cut through like a blade: "Welcome to the United States Marine Corps recruit depot San Diego, get off the bus!" That single line felt like a thunderbolt, asserting their authority without question. I never doubted their credentials, education, or authority. Before the Marines, my father filled that role, with my mother close behind, then grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, coaches, and family friends who kept me in line.

You might wonder about my credentials as a writer. Honestly, I have no formal qualifications, unless you count my military training and experience as a registered nurse. But let me ask you this: Have you ever doubted your own qualifications? That feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty is something we all face at different points in our lives. As you join me on this journey through my story, I invite you to reflect on your own experiences and consider how your unique journey has equipped you in ways you might not expect.

Let’s talk about drill instructors. Their authority came from who they were, what they stood for, and how they carried themselves. When I first met them, their lean bodies and sharp uniforms said it all. No one told us about their training, backgrounds, or what their ribbons meant. They led by example—through their actions, words, and steady presence. Their esprit de corps was strong and confident. They weren’t personal trainers, CEOs, motivational speakers, professors, pastors, Olympians, or life coaches. They were disciplined, battle-tested, and had finished tough training, including combat deployments and D.I. school. Their goal wasn’t just to turn boys into men, but to make us United States Marines. And they did.

I’m 51 years old and was born on 9/11. Over the years, I've faced my share of hurts, habits, and hang-ups—a phrase I learned from friends and mentors. Everyone has struggles, and I’ve spent a lot of time dealing with my own, including fighting for sobriety. Each of these struggles has served as a checkpoint in my journey, marking a point of challenge and growth. Sobriety became a milestone of resilience, parenting a lesson in patience and love, while faith offered a foundation for my values. Even with setbacks, I keep trying to set the example. I’m always learning and adapting, and I believe these checkpoints have given me insights worth sharing. While I first wrote this for my children, I realized it could speak to others, too, offering them a map of personal milestones to anticipate their own growth.

I’m writing this memoir to share my thoughts on what it takes to be strong—mentally, physically, and maybe even spiritually. As someone still learning, my words might come across as blunt, brash, or even boastful at times, and sometimes desperate or sad. Some parts are honest reflections on specific moments in my life, while others come from my time in the Marine Corps or working as a nurse. You’ll find conviction, vulnerability, motivation, and self-examination here. I wrote everything from the heart, just as I felt it.

To encapsulate this part of my journey, here's what I’ve learned: true strength is the steadfast resolve to face every challenge head-on, embracing the imperfections and lessons along the way. Think of it as your field order for life: adapt, overcome, and persist. Let's carry this mindset forward.

I am deeply grateful for the example the Marines set in my life, but I have found an even greater teacher: Jesus.

With humility and honesty, I share my many failed attempts to make life meaningful. I offer you these experiences—what has worked for me and what hasn’t—hoping they might help you too. My goal is to serve, not to seek honor, except the honor that belongs to God, who gave me the ability to write. I hope you’ll read with an open mind and find something useful.

You might wonder what the purpose was behind hugging my rack mate, completely exposed, for what felt like hours that day. That experience forced me to confront the reality that everything—even my dignity—could be stripped away. Only then could I truly begin to understand what it means to adapt and overcome. 

Together in the struggle,

Brian

Navigate the Obstacle

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Sociologists have explored and investigated the concept of middle-aged thriving and have asked the question: What does it mean to be well and, more pointedly, be well mentally (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). Criteria and points of reference for defining well-being are, by extension, measures of positive life functioning such as accepting oneself, environment of control, favorable relationships, living a goal-oriented life coupled with self-improvement and self-determination (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). Suppose the criteria mentioned earlier, such as well-being, are operationalized or realized in one's life. Would indicators such as a spirit of good cheer, peace of mind, and depression be mediated?

In their thirty-year-old study, Ryff & Keyes (1995) highlight that their research reveals strong correlations between mediating happy feelings, life satisfaction, and symptoms of depression, particularly in relation to self-acceptance and environmental control. As for the other domains, such as healthy relationships, having a purpose in life, developing oneself over the continuum of life, and being independent, these are poorly correlated with mediating a person's happiness, satisfaction with life, and depressed mood. In other words, from their study, accepting one situation in life and trying to the extent that one can exercise some form of control over the world around them correlates to positive life functioning with behaviors reflecting a joyful spirit, being contented with life, and improved mood, however it is essential to acknowledge what Ryff & Keyes (1995), concluded: that there is more to getting on with life and that being well or psychologically healthy than the pursuit of happiness and being fullfilled. Of note and to the credit of their study, one domain of well-being that was not investigated, at least in this research, was spirituality.

G.K. Chesterton wrote a biography to defend the works of Robert Louis Stevenson, best known for his novel Treasure Island. Chesterton notes that Stevenson exemplified a character who, despite living with debilitating childhood illnesses, grew up with those challenges and faced life's adversity. Consider an excerpt from his work.

Chesterton states in his 1906 publication about R. L. Stevenson's character, "Stevenson's great ethical and philosophical value lies in the fact that he realised this great paradox that life becomes more fascinating the darker it grows, that life is worth living only so far as it is difficult to live" (Chesterton & Nicoll, 1906, p. 15). How did R. L. Stevenson believe that when life becomes complicated and overwhelming, it is precisely then that it becomes truly fascinating? 

This perspective presents a thought-provoking and philosophical approach to living even today, and applies to all of humanity. Not many will argue that parents, teachers, and coaches, who have many irons in the fire, face a myriad of challenges. Still, with an approach of living with acceptance and a whole-hearted intent to practice an environment of control to the best of one's ability, most people could achieve the feeling that life is worth living, as R. L. Stevenson demonstrated.

We can also gain insight by contemplating the ancient writings found in the Old Testament texts, particularly in the book of Ecclesiastes, and investigating the spiritual component of life. The great teacher emphasizes in chapter seven in the fourtenth verse, contemplative ideas about good circumstances and less fortunate ones, discussing the fact that God has set things in motion in a persons life such that one can not determine his future and that when days are joyful be glad, and when days are cumbersome consider that God has brought this for some devine reason (The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, Ec. 7: 14).

References:

Chesterton, G. K., & Nicoll, W. R. (1906). The characteristics of Robert Louis Stevenson. James Pott & Co. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/robertlouissteve00chesrich/page/4/mode/2up?view=theater

Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719–727. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.69.4.719

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1999). Cornerstone Bible Publishers. (original work published 1973)

Rolling with the Punches

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Emerson's works remain relevant today, thanks to the authority of the great American author of the mid-19th century, who, as historian Richard Whelan asserts, was the youngest graduate of the Ivy League school at Harvard. To suggest that the influential writer and author has an enduring impact on those who follow his writings is an understatement.

According to Richard Whelan, who summarized Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays in his book titled Self-Reliance, in the opinion of the fervent lecturer of nearly a century and a half ago, when you see a man in isolation, alone and in solitude, being true to himself, you can trust that he is sincere however, hypocrisy often emerges when you add another person to the situation (Whelan, 1991, p. 114).

Emerson's writings suggest that most men only reveal a part of themselves, showing you their side or their back, but if you encounter someone willing to display their true face and heart, consider them a rare gem and friend. Lastly, Emerson emphasizes that hospitality should be about genuine service, rather than a showy approach, as the latter diminishes the host's value (Whelan, 1991, p. 131).

Be Authentic

How does Emerson speak to those in leadership? How do solitude, honesty, and hospitality impact organizational influence? It is about being authentic, and resilience is needed to keep it afloat because adverse situations in leaders' roles and positions impact them for better or worse. Consider how healthcare leaders describe one way to be authentic at work, as defined by Wei et al. (2019). Nurse leaders who engage with staff operate in the middle zone of daily work. These leaders engage with staff, strike a healthy balance between office work and patient care, and operate in the space between employee and leader. When authentic leaders lead by example, they bridge the gap between their leadership role and a role up their sleeves mentality to support their team. That is what operating as a leader looks like in the space between the office desk and the patient's room.

Practice Resilience

Before the pandemic, isolation may have been a direct choice; however, when mandated social and physical distancing was implemented, being alone, separated, and disengaged were new experiences for all, especially in the helping professions. Doctors, nurses, and all allied health professionals were challenged to protect themselves, patients, and loved ones from the effects of the coronavirus. According to Barthelemy et al. (2021), all personnel worked in a once-in-a-lifetime situation during the peak of the patient surge, requiring exceptional physical and psychological endurance from physicians, such as neurosurgeons. This was true for all healthcare professionals regardless of their specialty.

Although today, the gap between peak hospital surges and normal departmental census has decreased because of attenuated positivity rates, there are still pandemic stressors, such as those experienced during the days and months of the surge, such as depressed mood, anxiousness, irritability, and abnormal sleep patterns endured by all members of the healthcare team (Barthelemy et al.,2021). Resilience practice can help.

The recommendations for practicing a resilient psychological threshold during the pandemic are applicable today for those in leadership. As other scholars have pointed out, according to Paltmitter et al., (2020), most people experience some stressor or adversity and that does not mean that one is not particlualry resilient, as the thoughts we think, the attitudes we bring to situations and the reactions we portray in response to demanding and ovewheliming situations are familiar to us all and can be trained, strenghthened and molded that adapt for the better when they occur again.

As stated, the days of Covid-19 patient surges may become a distant memory. Still, the daily stressors of patient care, staff management, organization frugality, and achieving healthcare benchmarks are a daily pressure coupled with the weight of standards and accreditation readiness; leaders are required to maintain an environment of service excellence, affordability, and teamwork. Creating a safe culture and the best place to work, all wrapped up in high-quality care, can be daunting for leaders tasked with stewardship of departments in healthcare.

As a close, the authors, according to Barthelemy et al. (2021), remind those in positions of influence to maintain an optimistic outlook despite overwhelming task competition and attention distractors, reappraise internal dialogue, lean into peer support and mentors, champion self-care activity, and capitalize on personal strengths.

References:

Barthelemy, E. J., Thango, N. S., Hohne, J., Lippa, L., Kolias, A., WFNS Young Neurosurgeons Forum Task Force, & Germano, I. M. (2021). Resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: How to bend and not break. World Neurosurgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.105

Palmitter, D., Alvord, M., Dorlen, R., Comas-Diaz, L., Luthar, S. S., Maddi, S. R., O’Neill, H. K., Saakvitne, K. W., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2020). Building your resilience. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/resilience/building-your-resilience

Wei, H., Roberts, P., Strickler, J., & Corbett, R. W. (2019). Nurse leaders' strategies to Foster Nurse Resilience. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(4), 681–687. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12736

Whelan, R. (1991). Self-reliance: The wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson as inspiration for Daily Living. Random House Inc.

Magnetic Influence

"magnetic and iron" free AI image from www.gemini.google.com

What do the following characteristic traits of leaders who practice the following strategies look like who promote social work connections in there organizations, who possess a positive mindset, find the strengths in others, and capitalize on them, who empower and develop others, encourage self-care activities and work-life balance, perform mindfulness techniques and try to be present in the moment with staff, while seting an altruistic example to others? According to scholars with a focus on leadership, Wei et al. (2019) suggest that it is related to leader resilience. Two areas for immediate review are breaking down departmental barriers and maintaining a magnetic presence.

Break Out of the Silo

Apple TV currently has Season 2 series on its entertainment streaming service, Silo. The show that is in the not-so-near future is set in a post-nuclear time frame where, after a significant atomic fallout, the Earth has been devastated by nuclear war, and nothing is left on the surface. Set in what appears to be the United States, it is a scene of destruction; however, as the series begins, life as one would know it, unfolds in a habitat in the shape of what looks like an old nuclear missile silo, dug deep into the Earth's core with approximately more than two hundred stories of floors. The remaining survivors from the fallout are in various groups and classes of citizens. Those who perform the governement, civil services such as guardians and police, agriculture and farmers, mechanics, doctors and the like and as one would suspect multiple social classes to keep the "silo" up and running and to keep chaos at bay the poeple follow a code, if this is ever broken, people are sent out of the Silo to clean a window that peers into the devastated and barron landscape and enter the radioactive environment outside the Silo never to return and parish.

As the second season unfolds, the viewer is learning that other Silo's exist, and roughly ten thousand citizens are living in each one. However, the adventure gets even more exciting as survivors begin to understand that there are other silos with residents living unbeknownst to them, due to a major cover-up and secrecy from those appointed as legislators.

The key point for leaders is that when silos exist between departments, for example, in patient units and procedure areas, or between surgical service lines and critical care units, healthcare organizations experience a negative impact on the workplace environment, which in turn affects patient outcomes and workplace culture (Wei et al., 2018). Leaders must break down interdepartmental walls and build collaborative work relationships for staff and the patients they care for. Communication and bridge building are key through intentional interdepartmental rounding.

Positive Mindset

A saying in the US Marine Corps is, "If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." At the root of this mindset lies an optimistic outlook on any situation. Maintaining a positive attitude, despite the challenging conditions a Marine will encounter during training or on the battlefield, is a key element of military training for units. This is also true in the delivery of healthcare services, as mentioned in other essays; the environment is often volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. For more on the VUCA discussed in other posts, see here. Maintaining a positive mindset is challenging, but first, what does that mean to stay positive for a leader? We will consult William James for this insight.

In terms of mindset or mental life, as elements of psychology, the brain, as we know, is cerebral, and we know that when a thought occurs, typically there is an action to follow; whether or not it happens is arbitrary at this point. However, we will reframe the positive mindset in terms better suited to beliefs, attitudes, passions, attractions, judgment, behaviors, and conduct (Adler, 1952, p. 1). William James succinctly describes this idea by interpreting the attraction states of iron filings to a magnet and the physical properties of air bubbles rising to the top of a water jar, which realign with the atmosphere, all of which illustrate attraction and an element of positivity. The antithesis of positive is negative, and the elements therein apply. Maintaining a magnetic perspective or practicing an altruistic gravitas even in the face of overwhelming situations is paramount. The leader in the healthcare environment will always need to be the magnetism in their area of service, or they will suffer the consequences for their staff and patients, despite the various challenges that arise on a day-to-day basis in healthcare operations.

References:

Adler, Mortimer J. (1952). William James. In The Great Books of the Western World. (Vol. 53). Encyclopedia Britannica.

Wei, H., Roberts, P., Strickler, J., & Corbett, R. W. (2019). Nurse leaders' strategies to Foster Nurse Resilience. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(4), 681–687. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12736