“Lisa. Why do you do all this extra stuff?” Nursing vs. blogging.

Nursing vs. blogging. (I started to write this post a couple of weeks ago, got distracted with all sorts of recipes, and now, after a sequence of events, I have come back to it.) I lost my Dad this past weekend. It was unexpected and simply tragic. Here is what I wrote previously before my Dad passed away:

I’ve been asked this several times. Yes, I’m a Registered Nurse. But I love the garden, the food, the farm, the family, and the Nursing. Look, some people can’t make up their minds 😝!

Learn all about us here!

What I’ve learned from Nursing.

I have been a Nurse since 2010, mainly working in the ICU setting. It’s been a ride. I have had some really great experiences, yet a lot of very sad ones as well. There is nothing wrong with Nursing. It’s an amazing career that not only has given me the ability to save lives but also support my family. What a gift!

Nursing is the Ride of a Lifetime.

If anyone tells you, “I don’t want to be a Nurse anymore.” A- they are probably burnt out just like most. But B- that’s not an option. It’s just not that simple. Once you become a Nurse and practice, YOU CAN’T UN-NURSE 😝!

It feels like having a baby. Once you have them you can’t UNhave them. It’s done, you know the damage…people warned you about this 😵‍💫. All you can do is survive from there.

I’m so lucky to be able to heal others. In my eyes, it’s an opportunity to give someone else a chance, a good feeling, some good knowledge, empathy, and caring. It’s a chance to work through my hands and feet and heal anyone in my path.

Finding My Place in the World.

I have so many interests that I’m confident I will drive my Husband to insanity. There have been many days I would say, “Babe! I want to open a deli!” Or “Honey! What about starting a meal prep company!” Or “Babe! I think I’d be a great blogger 😂! But I’m not real sure what I want to blog about.”

After much of his patience, he says “yes,” and I usually give it all a try. At least once, and see what sticks.

When Everything Makes You Sad.

It’s not unusual to get burned out of your job. ANY job. When Covid-19 hit, it was a huge tragedy, as we all know, and also for the ones trying to save their lives. It was one awful death after another. So you can imagine, if you’ve been in the field awhile, why one would need a break.

I think everyone needs a break from the same grind. The everyday hustle and bustle is exhausting, and an outlet is needed.

Finding Happiness in God’s Gifts.

I remember talking to a good friend about my desire to blog. I told her that it was a dream of mine, but I didn’t know what angle to go at or what niche I wanted to focus on. Her response was perfect, “It’s your blog; you can blog about anything you want.” Those were the most freeing words I had heard. That meant I could just be ME!

I was searching for something that excited me. Gave me wind beneath my wings. As much as Nursing gives me a sense of purpose, it wasn’t driving me.

(this is where I ended) and this is where I started writing again:

Living every day for love

Early Saturday morning (the day after Good Friday), my Dad got out of bed to go to the bathroom. He just had a procedure that scraped his bladder of any cancer seen to the eye. No cancer was seen in the last procedure. Due to lose some weight and get healthier, he was bound and determined to get off medication and start living. Fatigued from the procedure and wasn’t on his regular medication. He lost his heartbeat as he walked back to bed, collapsed, and died. Unfortunately, his wife did not find him until it was too late.

Dad was an active guy. He loved his family. The kind of person that is committed to serving others, whether that was in Al-Anon or within his immediate family. A person who took care of others constantly. The quintessential servant that Christians talk about.

What does dad have to do with blogging?

Everything. No one knows their last day, last hug, or last “love ya, kiddo”. Starting to write a blog post about why you act on dreams, desires, and possibilities that the good Lord gives you every day proves that we really don’t have time to think twice or shove our dreams to the side. The time is now.

There is no better time than today to realize your dream. Every day, just one step at a time, one dollar more towards the goal, is what it looks like. Nothing happens overnight. The only thing that happens overnight is losing it all.

I constantly heard, “Wow, kiddo! I’m so proud of you. I don’t know how you and Kevin do it all, and you do it so well.” This was my fire.

I had to start the fire, but the people around me kept my fire going. Never telling me, “slow down”, “it’s too much”, or “you can’t” has never been a thing. But that’s because you can’t stop my fire. It never stops burning—kids are watching.

Despite who’s watching or who cares —or doesn’t care…you have to care. It’s you who will make the difference.

It’s not easy to find your purpose.

I have three teenagers. One is a senior, another a junior in high school, and an eighth grader . I completely remember this time of fear of new but exciting changes. It can be a hard time to find your true purpose or passion that can take the test of time.

Taking visions of your thoughts and dreams and making them reality. The best part of a dream is saying you got there. It can be a time of prayer and trust in yourself and the Lord.

the unknown is hard

The unknown is scary, real, and downright frightening. This is why many business owners talk about how hard it is to be the owner. There is never a mental break, never a moment when you don’t worry about what should be done better, what needs to be done, and what is lacking.

When I started my blog, I was a bit embarrassed. I thought of all the things people would say or think about what I was doing. Gardening, chickens, the countryside is just a few things I love. Finally, I had to force myself to make that leap and be proud of who I am and what I believe in. Making up recipes and stories of my family and eating in the process is something I love. Most of all, I love my family, and want to shout it from the rooftops.

Don’t let the unknown stop you. Life is too short, as we all hear it. But it truly is. Things can change overnight, and there will not be any looking back.

Find your purpose and believe in it. You would be surprised how many people believe in you and support you. Most people actually do want you to be successful. It feels weird, but I promise, people wand to support what you believe in.

“Proud of you kiddo”

These words will be ingrained in me for the rest of my life. I’m so grateful to have had a kind and loving father who has taught me so much. Living everyday for love is what its all about. This one’s for you Dad.

With love to my Daddio,

Lisa