What did you do?

It’s 3:23 in the morning

and I’m awake

because my great great grandchildren

won’t let me sleep

my great great grandchildren

ask me in dreams

what did you do while the planet

was plundered?

what did you do when the earth

was unraveling?

surely you did something

when the seasons started failing?

as the mammals, reptiles, birds

were all dying?

did you fill the streets with protest

when democracy was stolen?

what did you do

once

you

knew?

—-Drew Dellinger, “Hieroglyphic stairway”

You may think, Kim, what does this have to do with integrative nursing? Well, because it directly relates to Principles 1 and 3 of Integrative Nursing:

#1 Human beings are whole systems inseparable from their environments

#3 Nature has healing and restorative properties that contribute to health and wellbeing

Nurses are front-line caregivers of the earth and it’s creatures. We cannot stand idly by as we watch our planet slowly become less and less balanced. We, like the earth, must hold everything in balance to equal survival.

There are not many things on this planet that humans agree upon. However, we can all agree we will not be well without clean air to breath, clean water to drink, safe food to eat, and a climate where we can thrive. It is the Law of Darwin; Survival of the Fittest, a test that will bring us & all living things eventually to extinction if we do nothing.

Nurses carry the flag of healing for all creatures and the earth they habitat.

Resist, Resilience, Peace, & Blessings,

Kim