Not everyone has earned the right to hear your story.  Tell it anyway.

Since starting back to college in the early years of 2000, I have been told my writing should be published.  The more writing I do, the better I get.  Just finding the time to get to the task - no, finding the motivation, is the difficult part.

You see, I like to talk. I like to teach.  Not necessarily in front of a class, but one on one.  I like to provide that plethora of often useless information, even if to make someone smile.  Isn't that, after all, the first step in healing?  So writing just comes easy once I get started.

I have attempted this blog thing before, only to have the company that supported it, delete it.  So, here I am again, some 20 years and two nursing degrees, hundreds of patients and stories, and multiple life changes later, starting again.  

What is Leading the Way about?  How do we lead the way?  In 1971 a book was written titled, "Nurses Who Led the Way" by Adele DeLeeuw, Cateau De Leeuw, & Katherine Sampson.  The book gives "real life stories of courageous women in an exciting profession."

These women were game changers in their day.  I'm sure it was a tough game then.  There have been many more modern day women (and men) who are also making big changes to the nursing profession. 

I, on the other hand, don't really have the energy - I think - to make those kinds of changes, or changes to the same degree to the nursing profession.  I'm too old.  However, I will lead the way by leading others through example in hopes that they, too can inspire others.  I also want to make MY footprints in the path to leading the way in the lives of non-nurses.  Patients, their families, other health care workers, friends and even strangers - those I've not yet met.  I hope through reading this (especially when in print form), that you will gain some insight into the life of a nurse.  At least this nurse.  That you will gain some insight into your own passion, into your own life, and help others too, by Leading the Way.

Hopefully I will be able to turn this blog into a collection of short stories compiled into an unusual book.  One that brings smiles, tears, confidence and useful information to any reader.  

Because after all, knowledge is power, laughter is the best medicine, and the more you cry, the less you pee.