Your Personal Well-Being and Hopefulness is a Big Part of what Creates a Gr

You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.

What a Short, strange Trip It's Been.

The last two years may have been the most interesting two years of my life. If you know where I have travelled in my life -- and more importantly the giants among humanity God has allowed me to be friends and family with and learn from -- then that says a lot about the last two years.

I have no idea why God doesn't say 'you've lived multiple lives on multiple continents. More than your share. It is time you came home.' And that may still happen today because today is not over. I am working on being ready to go. We are putting the finishing touches on our will this week and I am preparing my mind for life, for death and life after life. Yes, I am in excellent health -- but I hope no one trusts their health less than me.

At the same time I am making plans to stay. This past year I went through EMT training and work in the tri-state area working part-time running 911 and interfacility transport. Both are fascinating. The 911 calls help me better understand an area in which I offer training sessions; traumatic stress injury and posttraumatic growth. I have a long way to go. A lot to learn but I am putting some small pieces together.

Most of my time is doing interfacility transfers. These are amazing encounters. Around three times a week, people have us pick them up just hours after they have called their life over. We take them home to die. Or sometimes to a hospice house.

When I am in the back of an ambulance at night and the lights are very dim and it is very quiet, I am slow to speak. The person laying on the stretcher in front of me has no interest in the weather, in the playoff standings of their favorite team, in the political questions of the day. Because they are going to be dead before those results are in.

It is very important in those moments to say just a few words to get them started. Often, if you are quiet with just few words of encouragement, not nervous chatter they will tell you what is on their minds.

A few months ago, I noticed my patient was going down hill on the way home, I wasn't sure he would make it home. I asked him how he was feeling physically. He looked at the ceiling in the dimly lit ambulance and quietly said just one word:

"Lost".

We talked. I only had 6 minutes before we reached his home. I recommended calling a spiritual advisor. Medicine could offer him no hope.

I like to be there in those moments where people have no reason to be anything other than completely transparent and honest. Let's make that less rare in our world.

I am still offering training in explanatory style and why hopefulness and optimism is the best default response. There is also another opportunity which seems to be a good fit. If that turns into something I will update you.

Peace,

Kent

If you want a consultation contact:

Kent Blake

Principal, Snowbird Consulting

Training and Management Consulting

kent@snowbirdconsulting.com

901-569-6527

Note: Snowbird Consulting works with people to achieve prevention and wellness. See a mental health provider for treatment or remediation.

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