Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Lise Twiford, Development
This quote has helped me through many tough situations over the years and reminded me that life is more dynamic when I can bend with the wind. Below is a poem I love and often reflect upon.
“Be like a tree in pursuit of your cause,
Stand firm, grip hard, bend with the winds to the heavens,
and learn tranquility.”
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Lorraine Valeriano, R.N., Neuroscience ICU
I focus on these words and remember that nothing is impossible. Setting goals, working towards them with focus and determination allows one to reach those goals, no matter what they are. Simply…Dream, Believe, Achieve!
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Tracey Laird, medical records
Prior to my employment at Lehigh Valley Health Network, the closer Monday came, the worse I felt. Then I applied to Lehigh Valley Health Network and unbeknownst to me, they focused on people with positive attitudes.
I was looking for a company with positive people with good attitudes. To sum it up: I don’t fret Mondays anymore. I enjoy my job, my environment and like coming to work no matter what the day has in store for me. I now actually say I have added five days to every week, and it feels really good!
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Bonnie Winch, administrative assistant, case management
My son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 8. He had it removed. Then they found another one at age 13, which they could not remove. He went through 15 months of chemotherapy. He is now 24 years old. I thank God every day for this.
My son has had a rough life. He also lost two of his best friends in car accidents within two years of each other. One while in high school; the other while in college. In his junior year, he became very, very ill with ulcerative colitis. He went from 200 pounds to 125 pounds within months. Everything they tried did not work. He made the decision to remove his colon about two years ago. He is doing well. Each day is a blessing.
I have learned out of all this that your life can change in a matter of seconds. Be thankful for what you have now because it can be taken from you in an instant. Unfortunately, my son has matured beyond his years through all of this. He’s never had much of a childhood. He never complained once throughout this. It hurts to see your child suffer and there is nothing you can do, but you get through it. God only gives you as much as you can handle. At times it seems like you can’t take anymore, but you do. I will tell you one thing, when you go through this, you learn not to sweat the small stuff. It humbles you and you learn to appreciate more.
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Bozenna Madej, medical records, along with What does not kill you, makes you stronger.—H.D. Thoreau
Years ago I was told that my daughter was mentally retarded; she was 6. At the same time, my husband lost his job. We were losing our home and then we got divorced. I was overwhelmed and wanted to quit, but deep unconditional love for my daughter, my guardian angel made me so much stronger.
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Susan O’Neill, R.N., Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest
When I was a teenager, a friend gave me a copy of Gibran’s book “The Prophet”—truly a book that has inspired and guided me throughout my life. I have read his beautiful words many, many times and tried to live my life through a continual search for wisdom and reaching to help others. This is why nursing has been a good thing for me to practice and in turn, nursing has also been a way for me to live a worthy life. For to be a good nurse is to seek wisdom, laughter, joy and to give of oneself.
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Jane Dilliard, R.N., Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg
Rapid heart rate was just one of the signals to me that there was an imbalance in my life—between the daily adrenaline rush and meditative reflection. This quote helps me to avoid allowing the engine of getting things done to stay in overdrive through the intersections of the down time during my day.
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Diana Bermudez
A cancer patient once told me this while I was visiting him. It touched my heart so deep, when he grabbed my hand and told me “just have faith, believe and you can do it.” I cried and made that quote part of my life since that day!
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Susan O’Neill, R.N., Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest
When I was a teenager, a friend gave me a copy of Gibran’s book “The Prophet”—truly a book that has inspired and guided me throughout my life. I have read his beautiful words many, many times and tried to live my life through a continual search for wisdom and reaching to help others. This is why nursing has been a good thing for me to practice and in turn, nursing has also been a way for me to live a worthy life. For to be a good nurse is to seek wisdom, laughter, joy and to give of oneself.
Submitted by Lehigh Valley Health Network colleague Suzanne Sostak, analyst, supply chain management
I use this saying with my boys all the time. With my son, a high school senior, I tell him, “The world is yours. Shine brightly.” And my youngest son plays ice hockey, so I tell him, “Even the smallest star can shine brightly!”
