Every day, we each have the ability to bring goodness into the world—and it doesn’t have to be big, heroic gestures. It can be in the simple, everyday moments.
Compassion heals. Kindness heals. Love heals.
We each have the power to transform lives.
Even 26 years after my accident, I still vividly remember so many seemingly little moments that were profound for me—the sweet look in a nurse’s eyes, the touch of a hand at my bedside when I was in despair, the look of compassion from a stranger when I was walking into my physical therapist's office... These people probably have no idea that their presence—in a fleeting moment—was so healing for me. And yet it was. I will always remember these acts of kindness.
Our love extends solidly and in totality through time and space. Our intentions of kindness are alive and do not dissipate. Whatever you have given in love in your life has laid bricks of goodness that extend through time. It is not forgotten. It is alive.
A Profound Story About One of My Nurses
This might be one of my most special posts and stories to share with you: For years, many of you have heard me tell the stories in my keynotes about the extraordinary nurses that cared for me on the burn unit - It was their kindness, presence, and their compassion.
One poignant memory, I have always had is a particular nurse that leaned over the bed rails and grabbed my hand in a moment that somehow stayed with me for 26 years. I ALWAYS wondered who this nurse was and I never forgot her. Every time I give my speech, I see her in my mind’s eye when I share that moment. Well, last week I had the privilege of speaking for the hospital that cared for me, Tampa General Hospital. It was a full circle, unbelievable event with all of their leaders.
After my keynote, this woman came up to me, held my hand and introduced herself to me saying she had cared for me. You can see in the second photo below that someone happened to capture this moment! After 26 years I was blown away in that moment I recognized her! Can you believe this? It was completely obvious that it was HER the one who leaned over the bed rails that day who I never forgot! She had a very distinct presence and energy and when she held my hand I recognized her! Can you believe that life has given me this gift to find her? I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I was given this gift! To see her, hug her, tell her how much she meant to me, and to know that she heard the story in the speech that day!
We rarely get the opportunity to find people who touched our lives in passing. Today I want to remind you that life can be so magical like this. I am in AWE.
This post is also a reminder that we cannot underestimate how our kindness and our presence with other people extends through time.
What you have done in your life - caring for others, even strangers - is so powerful. Every act of kindness counts!
The little moments are the big moments.
#keynotespeaker #healthcare #healthcarekeynotespeaker #Compassion #kindness #nurses #gratitude #heart #love #empathy
The Ultimate of What Love Looks Like in Healthcare
Wow. This image says it all. In China, several doctors bow to an 11-year-old young boy diagnosed with terminal brain cancer who managed to save the lives of several others by donating his organs shortly after he passed away. This is the ultimate of what love can look like in healthcare. There are countless people in healthcare who daily and tirelessly give with devotion, compassion and kindness. May we honor them all. And may we honor this beloved mother and child.
Love_In_Healthcare_Allison_Massari
Bring Allison Massari to deliver the keynote at your next Healthcare Conference. Learn more here.
Healthcare Keynote Speaker at HIMSS 2014 for the CHIME and HIMSS CIO Forum in Orlando, FL
It was an incredible honor to speak for CHIME and HIMSS at the CIO Forum this past week. They were an outstanding group! And to see my artwork up on the PowerPoint screens like this was very exciting. Thank you to everyone for the fantastic feedback on Twitter!
