Journal of Sacred Work

The Power of a Rare Word – Days 98-102

Corner of Venice BW  In 2017, as he approached sixty, a dear friend decided to become a lawyer. In 2021 he emerged successful. One last "bar" remained between "lawyer" (one who knows law) & "attorney" (one who practices it.)

   Today, I learned a new word. "Anneal" means: "To heat metal or glass and allow it to cool slowly, …to remove internal stresses and toughen it." The context was Mark Twain's Mississippi River training to become a steamboat captain. 

   Law school heats the "metal" of every student. Preparation for the dreaded bar examination supposedly provides "slow cooling" (or more heat) to toughen lawyers before licensing.

   On his first try at the the exam my friend fell six points short. Dismayed but not deterred he tried again. This time, he "missed" by two points.

   He can definitely pass this damnable exam. He will try again, right?

   His annealing may lead him the opposite way. 

   A truth emerged after his two trips through fire. "I'm more poet than prosecutor," he wrote. "…despite years of classroom exposure [I] did not develop the desire [to work in courtrooms.]"

   My friend knows himself. His integrity, compassion & intelligence are profound. Yet, he ended his note quoting Ringo Starr, "Peace & Love."

   After a career in courtrooms as an attorney & in hospitals as leader I can verify that courtrooms foster conflict not peace & host revenge more often than love. 

   Both arenas need my friend's tough & tender heart. So I wrote to him,"Courtrooms need you. You do not need them." 

   So it is with hospitals. Healing needs, but often fails to attract, caregivers that practice Radical Loving Care® so they can deliver that rare gift living beyond our struggles: Peace.

   The path to that lit serenity requires no licensing.

-Erie Chapman

"Serenity's Light" – Erie Chapman, 2021

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5 responses to “The Power of a Rare Word – Days 98-102”

  1. Kathleen Grannan Avatar
    Kathleen Grannan

    Beautiful reflection. In my experience in nursing, there is always some early experience of healing or compassion that started the journey toward a nursing career, but that personal stirring lies underneath layers of other life experiences, some that nurture compassion and some that dampen it. You are so right, Erie, that it has little to do with licensing….. you won’t find a single question on the boards that tests it. That is a shame, for healing is, at the very least, delayed without it. And turning health care into a business guided by reimbursement takes us farther and farther away from it. 😔

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  2. Erie Chapman Avatar
    Erie Chapman

    Thank you so much for adding your comment, kathleen. Your insights come from long and powerful experience. Yes. Love requires no licensing but there should be an essay question on every nursing exam which asks “what are some of the best ways nurses engage love in their practices?“ One of the most important things is to distinguish cure and healing. As you know, caregivers cannot always cure disease but they can always be healing. You practiced that consistently throughout your remarkable career. Thank you!

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  3. Liz Wessel Avatar
    Liz Wessel

    Yes, I agree that there is ofetn a life experience…perhaps in a time of great need there was a person who came alongside you to let you know that you were not alone, help was there. In speaking with two caregivers and I asked was there someone who in inspired you to become a nurse in both situations, it was a nurse who helped who rendered such kindness and unconditional compassion which led them to the path of nursing. For me, it was my mom when at age 10 I was in critical condition in ICU and it was uncertain if I would survive spinal meningitis. The room was dark and I had to lay flat, I was so scared and in terrible pain. My mom was there for me…and said to me, “I wish I could trade places with you.”
    I do believe we are all wounded healers and in times of adversity or a trauma in life, there is a redemptive quality in relationship and the healing power of love. In sacred encounters, be it small or large, both the person in need and the person offering assistance are often changed by the experience of healing.
    This is the Easter story of life, death and new life.
    As always I appreciate how your essays encourage deeper reflection, Erie. Your marvelous photograph is a lovely accompaniment with the contrast of dark, light and shadows & the beautiful way you captured light streaming through, creating exquisite patterns and designs, truly an artistic delight!

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  4. Pamela Mahaffey Avatar
    Pamela Mahaffey

    My call to nursing at a very young age was modeled after the caring I received when I had my tonsils out at age 5 and then an appendectomy at age 10…..I still have a note that the nurse “Pinky” wrote me! My maternal grandmother (Sloan) was a nurse with her masters degree, and her sister- Elaine was a Catholic Nun and a nurse. I recall many stories they told of working in the TB hospital! I despise suffering but I accept that it is part of life/ living. My reason to become a nurse was because I wanted to care for others and ease their suffering. Bringing comfort and quality care has always been my goal! Patient teaching so that patients can take better care of themselves has been so rewarding! My patients know that I care- and I know they appreciate me! It comes from deep within my heart and soul. also- I always wanted to teach nurses. I wanted to convey not just the knowledge but the importance of “caring” and the privilege it is to be a nurse….sadly- as mentioned by you and others- turning nursing/ hospitals to a business model has in many cases led to less of a caring environment. This pressure for financial gain and “grades”, state board scores has influenced the teaching environment There is pressure for ”speed “ in hospitals and clinics- because it’s about money. Unfortunately in many circumstances- it’s about how fast, how many, how to increase reimbursement! I feel very fortunate because I have been able to carve out a position where I get to spend time one on one helping my CHF patients to have the best possible outcomes! I am in a unique setting and since the goal is the same as it was with vision 2000- I am afforded the opportunity to take my time and provide quality care that has a true impact on quality of life!

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  5. Erie Chapman Foundation, Nashville, Tennessee Avatar
    Erie Chapman Foundation, Nashville, Tennessee

    Thank you so very much for your comment, Pam! In particular, I noticed your comment about “the importance of “caring” and the privilege it is to be a nurse.” THIS, as you know so well, lies in the heart of EVERY good nurse. Your patients and others are so fortunate for your loving heart.

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