"Give your time". So many young people take for granted the concept of time. It is something we cannot earn, nor can it be given back. Many senior citizens live by themselves, or are placed in nursing homes by their families. Many are forgotten and wrote off because of their age. One thing I have learned from working as a nursing extern at my local hospital is that these individuals are so full of love, life, and wisdom. They have so much left to give and share with the world. I cannot even begin to express the number of times one of my patients has given me a hug and said something like "I haven't seen my family in months, thank you for listening to me". Imagine living in a world where you felt the need to thank someone for giving you only moments of their time. I encourage you to take a second and place yourself in a similar situation and imagine how that would feel. Lonely, correct? One day we will reach this age and I pray that when I do, I will be treated with the same respect and kindness that I expect of people now. This generation has experienced things that our generation can only read about in a history book. They are so full of love and wisdom that could only be gained from living a lifetime. I have gained so much ensight and wisom from those older than me. I challenge everyone, especially my peers, to give even a moment of your time to the older generation. I am certain that you will come to the same conclusion.

"Live to be happy, not to be remembered, live for yourself, not for other people, live for today, not tomorrow". - My Nonni - My Bucket List - 1. Experience the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) 2. Swim in all 4 major oceans. 3. Skydive 4. Bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa (tallest place to bungee jump in the world). 5. Ride in a hot air balloon. 7. Visit the vineyards of Tuscany. 8. Road trip across the US. 9. White water raft 10. Learn how to surf in Hawaii 11. Go to the carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro 12. Meet a celebrity 13. Float in the Dead Sea. 14. Stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden 15. Paraglide - What I Have Checked Off - 1. White water rafting - (I went rafting through the Rocky Mountains, Smoky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon). 2. Paragliding (I went paragliding over the Smoky mountains) 3. Swam in all 2 of the major oceans (The Atlantic & Pacific) 4. Rode in a hot air balloon

Instrument of Peace - Canadian Tenors Where there is hatred, let me bring love Where there is doubt, let me bring faith Where there is falsehood, let me bring truth Where there is pain, I'll comfort you Where there is silence, let me sing praise Where there's despair, let me bring hope Where there is blindness, let me bring sight Where there is darkness, let me bring light Currently, I am a junior nursing major and I won't lie, it can be easy to become discouraged. Some days it feels like you are putting your entire life on hold for a career that you know you won't receive half as much as you give. In saying that, although I have my hard days like anyone else, this song reminds me of the kind of nurse, the kind of human I want to be. It reminds me of why I am making these sacrifices, and by doing so, the kind change I want to make in this world. I understand that this song is rather unconventional, but this song will forever stay close to my heart. I hope it can bring you as much encouragement as it does me.

Let me ask you a question. Is your glass half empty, or is it half full? Ponder on this question. In Spring of 2020 I was a transfer student at the university I am currently attending. I was living in a new city with my fiancee. I was absolutely terrified. I knew practically no one and had no idea of the inner workings of this new school. I had just become comfortable with my new surroundings when the world shut down due to Covid-19. I was forced into online learning and my chances of broadening my horizons were cut short. I remember the feeling of despair and desperation when my boss called me to tell me he had to let me go. You see, I had been completely financially independent and exempt of my parents for two years, but I was still not eligible for financial aid. My job was what paid my tuition and I had no other income contributing to my education. I remember falling into a depressive episode and feeling completely, and utterly sorry for myself. "I will never get to graduate". A year later I left my alcoholic ex without any idea of how I planned to support myself. Fast forward to March 2022. I can testify that although I maintain a full-time student status, in addition to working 36 hours a week, every tear I have ever shed, every hard decision I have had to. make, every dark road I have traveled, they were all worth it. These days I wake up and choose to see my glass half-full. You see, focusing on every negative you have to endure does not place you any closer to your dream. It only steals the little glimpses of happiness you get to enjoy along the way.

As a junior nursing student, I am being molded and trained to be a nurse. However, there is one thing that nursing school cannot train you to do - be empathetic. To me, being empathetic and being a sincere listener go hand-in-hand. As a nurse, I will be taking care of patients in some of the most frightening, and stressful times of their lives. Being a great nurse means more than administering meds and ensuring consent forms are signed - It's that sometimes you will have to take on several roles and you must be prepared to do so with a positive, empathetic approach. I love people and I love patient care. The idea of making a difference, no matter how small, is my driving force in perusing a nursing degree. I currently work in the intensive care unit at a local hospital and due to the pandemic, we have a no visitor policy in place. These patients are extremely ill, and most are terrified. Not being given the option of seeing their loved ones, only adds to their distress. I love having the freedom to take the time with each patient and immerse them in conversation with hopes it takes their mind off of their current situation - even if it is only temporarily. Conversation and having someone sincerely listen to you, sometimes, makes all the difference in the patient's experience.

Playlist - Crash Cart Artist Name - Code Blue (please google both if you don't get my nursing humor) ________________________________________ - Freshman Year - ________________________________________ "Ribs" - Lorde "A World Alone" - Lorde "Hey Look Ma, I Made It" - Panic At The Disco ________________________________________ - Sophomore Year - ________________________________________ "Lost In the World" - Kanye West (feat. Bon.Iver) _________________________________________ - Junior Year - _________________________________________ "Stressed Out" - Twenty One Pilots "We Are the Champions" - Queen