Welcome back for more thought provoking and positive influence. Yes that is my goal here…it was about updating everyone who was interested in what I was up to (family, friends, clients and students)…to wanting to make a positive impact on your day, and open up thought provoking discussion…the next time we are together in person (there is also the comment feature here that some have used to suggest they agree or disagree with what I have shared…this is after all a blog site…not just a journal).

So…what is Your Truth, you ask. Well, that is not for me to say…that makes it yours. We are entitled to our own thoughts, feelings and ways of living…that is what makes this a great country. I have eluded to that we are still on this journey of “full emancipation” and that we have not arrived yet to full and complete “choice”…especially as it relates to our health and Health Care, in Canada.

The message has been out there as to what is necessary to transform this Nation, to the healthiest on the planet…in fact there is a document that became know as the Ottawa Charter of Health Promotion…and just like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms….that if implemented in its entire intent…we could be a more liberated, more peaceful, more happy…and healthy society. The “Wealthiest/Healthiest” could/should also be attained overtime if we do indeed implement what is true “Primary Health Care” Reform.

Your Truth…would include empowerment to choice of a healthier living, healthier family, healthier community…all of whom are ecologically responsible…as we incorporate all levels of personal responsibility, responsibility to our communities…the most vulnerable of society…and then we demand nothing short of Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Accountability.

WE also (in the contest of Your Truth, My Truth) have the right of choice…choice as to who delivers health (by your definition) and where. You are a tax-payer and or citizen who deserves to have that those “Rights” to equal access to Health…the “right” to define it for yourself or your family…you should have the “Freedom” to choose where and by whom your health care is provided…and that it will be paid for public funds…and supported by public participation.

So “My Truth”, that may matter, for “Your Truth”. In this nation that operates under a Charter of Rights and Freedoms….and should be proud of and promotional of the Ottawa Charter of Health Promotion…we should indeed be interested in…and have a “right” to demand a transition to Primary Health Care as outlined by the Ottawa Charter, supported by the Romanow and Kirby Reports…and is now being illuminated by the Health Council of Canada. My Truth includes a Master’s Degree in Primary Health Care…and entitlement through College of Nurses of Ontario of being a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner.

So…I do offer a fair bit of advice (my kids, family and friends, attest) and let me say I think I am “closing in on”, my element…and My Truth. Well the books and videos are still “in the works”…know that the “Primary Health Care Collaborative” has become my “Primary” project…one that is an integration of Your Truth meets My Truth….I think it will be the funding and development of the
“Nurse-led-clinics” that will help bring true Primary Health Care and what my education and orientation to health and wellness has been suggesting all along, to a publicly funded, publicly partnered reality… (The Truth will reveal itself)

So…BE Well, BE Wise…and BE informed, read the links

Dave

In our ideological directions toward “producing” a greater society, there are many forces at work. Certainly we have to look at political, social and economic forces but not always in that order nor should we ever consider that they are seperate, andc unique entities. I speak often of “integration” and how “Yoga” in its most simplest context represents a great metaphor…and has inherent guiding principles to lead us to this “utopia”…the greatest society that ever was. The reason why I ponder this (I think my contemplations on occasion  have been a little deeper than  “pondering”…I theorize…at the very least…is that I am a citizen of a greater global community and live in a pretty phenomenal country.

It  is clear that we have incredible resources and a diverse representation of the worlds peoples…and we have the “Charter of Rights and Freedoms”. If we are in anyway proud to be Canadian…( and care for the sustainability of this country…and this planet, one can not escape some sense of responsibility to demand that Canada take a very active role in defining what that sustainable (and Healthy) future will/would/should look like.

Many minds are at work…on this definition of sustainable and desirable aka “Healthy/wealthy” future…and they can be part of the problem(s) or part of the solution(s).  For you the reader to qualify as one who is on the “solution” side of things there are some prerequisites at hand. # 1 - you will need to come to an understanding of a full conceptualization of Health. # 2 - You will need to be able to come to terms with the reality that “wealth” cannot be seperated from “health” if we are going to promote and perpetuate sustainability that goes beyond the generations of folks who are with us today. From the oldest elder…to that child that has just been conceived…we all have as stake in what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next year…but should also care about what will be “the legacy left” and the next century reality.

I think on these things as of late, partly in relation to the Documentaries and Books that are rolling out. The one most relevant to this country and thus the world is the notion of Canada’s wealth in natural resources. The Alberta Tar sands, the Great Lakes (and all the fresh water inside these borders) B.C.’s beauty and access to Asian Markets….and Newfoundlands emerging wealth in petroleum…( and its under-discovered beauty and “real estate”) Forests, farmland and the reality that Global Climate Change will bring emerging opportunity for our Greenhouses and wine countries to dominate the “Greening” and the “relaxation” of the world’s wealthy.

Who would not want a piece of Canada… for sustainability…and survival of masses of humanity….and “democracy” in definition…truly we are wealthy. We are also positioned to be  the “promoters” and “sustainers” of health. Programs will be rolling out that bring more empowerment to individuals to remain (or regain) a state of health. Corporate Responsibility and the Green movement, will also bring a significant tide of investment in the health and wealth of the country and its citizens. Corporate Wellness programs are said to bring a return financially of three to one…three $ of return for every one $ of investment. If we maintain our publicly funded system of health care that helps those that are injured or ill,…and we have reasonable corporate taxes…what company in the world would not want to put down stakes in Canada…it just makes economic sense. I cannot believe that oppressive societies and their governments (and those that have little regard for ecological consequences) can keep the best and the brightest…they, with enough income are leaving their homeland behind for sustainability of their off-spring and the future.

So….return here and follow the links …as I post through Primary Health Care (look to the left of the screen and you will see the link)…I will share my theories, my contemplations…my ponderings as to what are the solutions that should be adopted in London, Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor…and the rest of the country. It is time that we “see” the metaphor that defines integration…Health is Wealth…Wealth is Health…. Socio-politico-economics is and inseperable concept and context. Health Care, Education, Social and Community Services, Service Clubs, Faith Communities and worthy Charities….should/would/could find a mutual environment from which a “New Society” will emerge, and prosper in a sustainable and “green” country.

BE the change, BE well,

Dave

I have been able to reflect back on my nursing career once more as I had just updated and provided my resume with recent development of job prospects. I have also been scanning the past for all the things that I have done in which has strengthened my understanding of what role(s) there are still to be evolving for nursing. I press on to develop the model I now call The Primary Health Care Collaborative Model (see to the side the Social Integration Model, for a bit of understanding of it). This is what I have been up to…soon to start an orientation to Renal Dialysis…will soon be on break for 5 months but will be returning to teaching at Western…and expanding my offerings as consultant, (beyond the nurse-consultant paradigm).

While I speak often of the nursing shortage and that the number one strategy needs to be - “decrease the need for nurses”- at least at the bedside… this will only come if we illuminate the role of nurse as health promotion, disease and injury prevention specialist. In the consideration of our now-degree-preparation, much of the additional education being community and health promotion, we can make a difference. Further, what makes the most sense of all….is to promote “nursing” and all that such a concept and context means…and merely promote health through the promotion of nursing art, science and philosophy for every person….and they themselves can prevent disease, treat the common ailment and comfort the sick and dying. This can enhance the quality of life of their neighbour, their family. Built into this can be the volunteer hours for students as part of High School community service hours and as well, those that are the newly retired and/or committed to living a legacy.

So there you have it…what I have been thinking about, writing about, “soap-boxing” about…lets all enhance our inner nurse ( and don’t forget if you already are a Nurse..reflect of what I have included in the left side bar….Zen and the Art of Nursing…and …Yoga for Nurses.

Go out and make it a great day… BE the change… BE a Nurse

Dave

CANADA- Growing from good to GREAT!

The “character” of the river has been different with each visit the past couple of days. There is uncertainty…of what things will look like tomorrow, next week, …next month. I can assume that since there are still an few ice flows and the river bank itself is quite laden with snow…there will be a steady swell…imminent flooding.

We can not always predict how life will go…even if we were to choose to launch our canoe with the current…and go with the flow. “Seasonal” and weather patterns can be somewhat predictable…but often there are some surprises…both good an bad…that can unfold. Should we make a lot of plans….solidify our journey with “intent”…only to find that there are forces at work….forces of nature sometimes, that will alter our destination.

I am paddling…then floating…then a sudden turn it seems,…. turbulence is just the nature of the river. While a map is often handy (and often down-right advisable) few things challenge us to look at a new reality….then a co-pilot…or navigator. (We often struggle with the appreciation of a back-seat driver….but are there few positions in life that are more un-nerving than to put your trust in someone else…without a hand on the wheel who can blame one who speaks up about where we are going collectively and how fast we should be going).

I have shared this in a previous post…there is little you can do, if the other, in the canoe, is determined to paddle in the opposite direction. We might as well either put the paddle in to help dodge the rocks,….paddle along with them, to get through those rapids swiftly and with more mutual safety…or to just pull up and or out…and go with the flow.

May you find some peace in these words and a “smooth voyage” as the river swells…with more hope to go even further, faster or to new adventures.

BE well…BE swell,

Dave