Be kind

Like the sun’s rays in a sky filled with clouds, sometimes kindness just resonates and shines through.

Amazingly ___. You could never string those two words together and combine them with my name to come up with a correct description of me. I never really had a very pronounced and astounding quality. But I always liked to think that for a multitude of predisposing factors as well as nature’s workings, I came out to have a good heart. Hence, I can say I am kind. I think. *wink*

Working in a very multicultural environment has recently posed a challenge: how to overcome language barrier to still demonstrate care. I cannot overemphasize my love for words. I used to read the dictionary growing up. And talking, I always thought was the best and most effective way to communicate. (Sometimes, I’d even google translate my phrases to be able to talk to a patient) But I found that to be tedious especially when the patient starts rambling about with the notion that I can speak her language.

In the recent weeks, I have looked after an Italian lady with a bad tummy, a French man with recurring migraines, a Russian woman who suffered from a stroke, a Greek granny who had a heart problem and the most challenging of all, a Somali lady who would spoke with conviction despite seeing the puzzled look on my face. Actions may speak louder than words but in a medical setting and when its about something as crucial as ones health, words are important. For me, letting them know what I was doing, what the plan was, why I need them to take this medication, was a vital component of care. 

But here’s what I arrived at. For any relationship to work, despite language barriers, frustrations and misunderstanding, the important thing is to keep trying. Eventually actions will speak louder than words even if all it will really say is “I care for you.” And sometimes, that turns out to be enough. 

Surprise kisses landed on my cheeks from 4 out 5 of those patients. And somehow it made me realize that while it is very underrated or sounds very plain, kindness too, is remarkable. And like the sun’s rays in a sky filled with clouds, sometimes kindness just resonates and shines through.