My latest visit to the river, I again was greeted by my friends, the Mallard Ducks, six pairs. They all differing in subtle ways, as I tried to distinguish the colours along their wings or tail. This seems to be their favourite spot on the river as much as it is mine. How soon will the ice come, the snow…will they still be meeting me here…this spot…in their future, as they have in these precious moments in time?

I capture the essence of this river bend once more as I see the ’swirling’ and ‘twirling’ of many fallen leaves beneath the waters surface as well as if “boats” to some unchartered destination. The journey of these many leaves would be very hard to follow, only random ones seem to be “pulled in” by the natural phenomenon of the “river that flows in both directions”. We can sometimes think that our life is unfolding randomly, or we can reflect on these “natural occurrences”, as making sense in the greater scheme of things. There is definitely a “current” that exists for those in the modern world. We are often just “swept away” with seemingly little understanding of where events and opportunity may take us. (more…)

Within the context of Health Care reform, there have been clear calls for more investment by Provincial Governments to invest more in Health Promotion and Injury and Illness Prevention.

I would like to call to attention…a key issue in the workplace, that is directly related to what is happening in persons “work-life” and “home-life”…that being horizontal violence, aggression and bullying, in its many forms. Negative health outcomes, and worst-case-scenario, disability or inability to cope with working…has such social and economic repercussions, we do need to include this as a major Public Health and “Healthy Communities” interest. For initiatives or a Health promotion platform or strategies to be considered, we trust all are viewing these issues through a wholistic lens.

Please view what is offered here by the Ontario Health Promotion E-Bulletin.

Please pursue onward to your greater understanding of the Determinants of Health and inclusion of Domains of Health, in targeting your influence on Healthy Living, Healthy Families, Healthy Communities.

Dave

I pass this along to you…most often this has been reserved for moments of sharing my “contemplative exercises” with friends, family or clients. I think you should have tea-cup in hand…or to cup your hands in front of you as if you will be dipping them into a cool pool of fresh water for drinking.

Water is often used in symbolizing potential…it is flexible…in taking many forms.
While bending and yielding to rock and stone and “babbling” along its way in the representation of a “brook” we also can sense its power as it has carved out great gorges over time and , its power can be sensed with any visit to Niagara Falls. (more…)

I have been deeply moved as of late by the many “unexpected” events that have taken place most recently. The anniversary of the death of Lori Dupont occurred within the same week as the loss of someone so very special. Indeed there will be grieving…I know there are attachments to Lori Dupont that are deep reminders of some things that are very wrong in our society, I know it feels so very incredibly wrong the loss of Debbie Marin. The family know how I feel, Ryan, Dan and Chris …you are in my heart. Jared…as Debbie had such a special connection with you…you cannot be expected to be the same and not grieve deeply as well. I do hope you do feel that her presence, her spirit will always be with you. Please do recognize that now, her spirit, her memory has left a legacy. Seek always to sense what she would sense, and how she would guide you, as she had done in life.

I will share more, about this “potential” source of inspiration and guidance on my next blog. I do now go to sleep with more sense of her peace…and her potential that will be with us, always. My memory of spending this past Thanksgiving with Debbie and family will always be cherished memories.
May all with heavy hearts be able to find the means to celebrate the loss of those dear souls that have recently parted and may we reflect and give thanks for being honoured in sharing in their lives.

BE Well, BE comforted,

Dave/Dad

Hi, many have asked…of those that read this blog…and many at school and in my practice soooo, here is my thoughts after watching the special on Health Care Reform debate on “The Agenda”.

click here

In addendum to what is written there (which I could/should finish that book, yes?) is this.

Health Care remains the biggest political platform…bigger than the envirionment and bigger than they will make of the Brian Mulrooney Scandal.

Biggest problem is…the wait times, and diagnostics…and therapeutics…not the big solution…Health Promotion, Illness Injury Prevention, Primary Health Care and Patient Advocacy…those are the solutions not getting any or very little attention. Nursing Patient Advocate…the most rewarding of future careers.

BE Wise, BE insightful, BE a “critical thinker”,

BE the change,

Dave

Taking time to reflect on what is shared here, do recognize that we have a “true nature” that can “germinate” transformation through reflection and “intent”. In relationship to the “Orange Grove theory” ( or if you can relate to “Cole’s Avocado”) recognize that our modern world, may deny our youngest of citizens from appreciating these “natural truths”. After all, when we choose to pack a healthy lunch, or have a visible fruit bowl from which we encourage our children to enjoy…they have come to think of oranges as “seedless”. So if I were to choose to use the Orange as a metaphor for life…then there is a fundamental “change” or transformation, that actually does not perpetuate natural truth, but for convenience…the latest of generations may miss out of “conceptualizing, theorizing and philosophy” that can enhance their knowledge and their spirituality. Perhaps this can represent an expansion of the “New Metaphor” for modern living.

Go, plant the seed, with appreciation of, does your audience have the foundational fertile soil (are they even receptive) and is their germination possible (is your’s “seedless fruit”)

BE the change, BE inspired, BE Inspiring,

Dave

Since my daughter Jessica has started her Nutrition class for Nursing (she is in her third year at the same University I teach at…but I had switched to second year, thinking it would ease any questions, regarding “daddy’s” influence. While Her Nutrition teacher is an old friend, this will not exempt her from exemplary work…it may actually bring “expectations” of what she may write about. This is not such an unusual situation, I am certain it happens that, as an employee, staff, instructor or “prof” at a University…their kids go there, for obvious reasons.

Now why I bring this up, has alot to do with this mornings conversations. The first I had with Coleden my 4year old grandson, before he went off to enjoy junior kindergarten. I tried to simplify my “Orange Grove” metaphorical theory, by using and Avocado Pit. Most kids now eat “seedless” oranges, so they would have that as a barrier to understanding the “seed” context. So…bring in the “Avocado Pit” theory made incredibly easy. Since there i s but One seed for each avocado, I do not think that it is beyond a brilliant child, like Cole, to conceive of “knowing” that a tree, comes from a seed…if watered or planted…and nurtured. Fertile soil is a choice, while I have done so with my children,…that you need just suspend the avocado, using toothpicks…half immersed in water, and a few short weeks later…there is life. And when planted then in fertile soil and nurtured it will grow. ( I have to admit, that we have not been successful in keeping the tree alive for long, or anywhere to see “fruit”. But I can draw a diagram…and colour it with Cole…as the next “point of Learning”. Just as I encourage students to “nurture” every “learning moment” with further research…investigations at this point may include Wikipedia, while for their referencing a valid Journal article or scholastic text will be needed if writing a paper.
I may need to emphasize for my daughter and coach her into “valid research” sources (as well as my Nursing students)…I believe there are many ways of introducing complex concepts…in the most simplest ways.., metaphors…my kids have listened to, my students “say” they enjoy…with some faces actually lighting up…if interesting enough. (I must admit I am not always “interesting” as a Dad…or Grandpa, who need to correct and guide. I know from droopy eyelids nearing the end of clinical…there is a limit to my own creativity and abilities to engage. There are so many faculty in Nursing student lives…patient, family and staff as faculty… the point to make, it extends beyond my knowledge.
Meanwhile….we can always, in many different ways…sprout a seed, for further or greater understanding,

Thankyou Jess, Mike, and Cole…for the inspiration,

BE your best,

Dad/ Dave/Grandpa

In my studies of Toaism, Chan and Zen…I easily align with the “mutuality” of eastern thought, how it is aligned with the “ways” of nature…and the “ways” and spirituality of “first peoples” (indigenous or Aboriginal)…aka…their teachings and lifeways.

Water has long been an attachment to the “spiritual” as well as the celestial (as its many forms as rain, snow, sleet, hail, or even “dew”, etc) to being equated with or as a metaphor for life itself. I easily reflect back on one of many trips up north..especially to Algoquin Park with many friends…or with family and even solo…where one of my favourite rituals on such trips would be to “dip my canoe” back into the lake after nightfall. The open sky…the ‘celestial bodies’…the stars and moon would have “stories” to tell, as I reflected on my Native Ancestry…my Pioneer Ancestry or about my world…my life…in no certain direction, just “breathing in” such amazing energy…and watch “in mindfulness” and living in the moment…as “the moon danced”. I certainly…in private…many times have “danced” by the light of the moon. This experience was to simply reflect on the incredible diversity of water…all of its potential sources, its usefulness…and for life itself, how very essential it is.

For this ritual…which I miss dearly since being so busy with school all those many challenging and self-sacrificing years for the sake of personal growth and professional development…I would bring the canoe to rest, near middle of the lake…and face the moon, whether full or just a “sliver” its reflection would “dance” upon the surface of a fairly calm lake (Northern Lakes often very dark…make for a great “mirrored” effect. There was almost always at the very least some subtle “rhythmic” movement to the lake…and so the “Moon Dance” had a bit of pattern mixed with some “spontaneity” as if most playful and “free” to express as it wished…by the very “nature” of the connection of water’s surface and the “sky’s vast array of , story tellers” and song writers…the inspiration of many a poem, song, sonnet, symphony…and stories. Van Morrison’s “Moon Dance”…Andy Williams…”Moon River”…all have memories for someone, of some age, some place in our recent history.

Appreciate our water, cherish it….recognize it’s importance in your life…and how it should be a Legacy, of passing on to future generations…solutions and “enhancements” of their “experiences” with water.

Heading out now to enjoy my reflective walk…in the purified air thanks to this light rainfall,

BE well, BE Water Wise…”water conserving” and Water appreciating, WELL Water…another great metaphor,

From, The Village WELL,

Dave

Hi, to all,

This blog was begun as a means to keep my family, friends and students “updated” as to what I was up to, and what were my thoughts to world events and “developments” in the realm of Health Care and Society in general. I welcome all readers, know that I value your thoughts and knowledge also. One of the very reasons I have returned to bedside nursing is that I have so much more to learn, from patients, family members, students and other staff. Other staff being inclusive of my friends in Physio, Social Work, Case Management, OT’s as well as the many Med Students, Resident’s and Staff Physicians in all the different specialties. My Life…is not boring.
It is an honour to be included in “family conferences” and watch and listen to the “growth potential” of a conscientious, sincere and caring medical or surgical resident. It is also inspiring to watch a compassionate Therapist, exercise their “craft”. So much knowledge…so much for me to learn. That is the point of this entry…we all can learn so very much from one another, as long as we “are engaged” in the “learning moment”…and open to “the point of discovery” (for my kids and students, seek out opportunity and always be open to learn from others).

As more former students have been reaching out, to get my opinion of career choices, or my take on “directions of Health Care”…or as my children pursue even greater connection to the “Critical Connection Paradigm” that is inclusive of “Care provision” at the very personal level…we will learn the most with the following appreciation. “Person/Family/Other” as Faculty”. When we are open to what we can learn from the others in our lives (and that even can be the individual, in a comatose or “state of failing health”, end-of-life included), we will become wiser, more sensitive and can grow, in ways that we may not at first recognize. This “point-of-discovery” in which I make reference to (use it often with students in clinical), is often “on-the-spot” learning, but it may come to you later, during reflection, “de-briefing” or the “light-bulb moment” that we all have and go “ahh, yes, now I get it”.

It is so very, totally, up to us to be open to learning. The greatest teachers are always those who hold the attitude that they are in fact “the student”. These will be the defining moments, of how far you will go in life, how rich your life will be …how much respect you will receive from others, whether they be patients, Family…other nurses, other professionals…or from your own family members and/or friends. This is one reason you will hear me talk about the “evolution ” of Facebook. I sense that it’s destiny will go “beyond” that of the “social network”…and will soon be recognized as the “place-of-discovery”…extending “beyond” friendships and beyond what is now displayed as if an online photo-album. “Critical Connections” is receiving some fine tuning, then will be released upon the world through facebook. (If anyone with the Savvy, the Smarts,…or the “computer science” knowledge of how I screen out the “spammers”, then please contact me here….or ‘through’… critical connections.org to see for yourself, if there are any suggestions you may have or desire to contribute. To those who I had shared my intent…my apologies if there is the “spammer corruption” evident at the time of your viewing. The site may otherwise have to come down if this does not get sorted out soon, and I will be trying something else…and will continue to look for ways to “define my destiny”.

BE wise, BE open, BE “intentionally” a student of life,

Dave

Otherwise shared with my students as the “Bloomin’ Onion” theory of self-care advocacy and health care reform…one may need to visit an Outback Steakhouse, and get the visual…and one might as well enjoy..the spicy sauce…my weakness.

So here it is, the beginning of the “bloomin onion”, first section…for those that prefer science, less metaphorical…the Critical Connection Paradigm, introduction- as expressed by the Quantum Nursologist.

Finishing touches of the Graphic Design of “the BIG Picture” (more…)