Empathy

I have already blogged about traits in humans, and some of the harder emotions we have to grasp to live a better life. As Americans, in a country already blessed way beyond anything we deserve, empathy is a tough emotion/feeling to conquer. I firmly believe that the more you acquire for yourself, the less you care what anyone else gets. I also believe that anyone can be taught to empathize for others, but some grasp the concept with more ease. One of my main influences for how to live a Christ-like life and a great example of someone who “gets it” when it comes to empathy is my pastor Bill Coates. He is constantly giving back to the community, whether local or global, by giving his time and physical ability to those who need help to get by. I have learned a lot by just spectating on his everyday life.         

            The past few years of my own life have involved an implementing of a family budget, and a cutback on things like birthday and Christmas gifts. At first I was bothered by this change in events because it slightly deterred my expected routine. I was later swept aside with a wave of shame, because I realized how silly and selfish I sounded. Kids my age starve everyday, and I’m feeling this way? That’s how I came to value not only my life more, but the lives of others. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have a friend who will talk very badly about some of the less fortunate at our school, and it drives me nuts because of his bigotry and lack of conscience. It’s hard to do as Jesus said and love and serve others when all you care for is your well-being. It’s an everyday battle to get over yourself and see the big picture of humanity, but it’s one of the few battles where everyone wins when all is said and done.    

Preliminary Project Thoughts

Essential Question: How can I realistically predict the use of technology in operation rooms in the future?

What I will need to know: I will need to know, of course, what the status of the most current innovations in surgical technology is. I’m trying to research what a general setup in today’s nicest OR’s is like, and through this research try to narrow down on a certain branch of surgery. For example, the phacoemulsifier machine is the cotton gin of cataract surgery; a huge time-saver and accuracy booster for the operation. I will need to find out more about upcoming projects, and then start making my own predictions and hypotheses afterwards.

How will I use technology to showcase my project: I plan on using a computer and an animoto/squidoo/prezi like program to create an aesthetically appealing presentation. I also plan on doing some sort of handout of brochure, but in a way that it’s not like every other brochure. I hope to also come across another type of technology where I could somehow virtually create a model of my ideas.

What will I do for my real inquiry: I will first and foremost “interview” my mentor for his ideas and thoughts on upcoming technology, as he’s the one who helped prompt me to do this as a final project. I can then ask some of the PA’s, AA’s, or non-busy MD’s around the surgery center for their opinion on the future of technology. I will document all of my findings. From here I can conduct “normal” research and start a pathway to new ideas and answers.

Struggling With Lies and Envy

Envy. One of the most widespread and rampant sins in the bible, and to this day a sin that everyone struggles with. While envy is far from what we as humans should feel, Ms. Rubin was correct is pointing out that the emotion can lead us to discover important truths about ourselves. An example I have is my on and off envy of my friends’ parents who don’t ride and pester them so much about school, but I have discovered that I would be much lower on the academic totem pole if it wasn’t for that persistence. When it comes to lying, I’m guilty of absent-mindedly telling half-truths to my parents about various things, and it’s made me realize that the trouble that comes after doing such would be much easier to avoid if I had just told the truth. Even if a self-evaluation is tough to do, like above, it definitely opens your eyes to a side of your own personality that you would never know normally.   

New Year/New Word

OPEN

Open is my word of the year simply because it highlights one of my biggest fears: failure. This year I will yearn to be open to new ideas and projects, and to escape my “norm”. I will be open to others; to be someone they can relate to and get along with. I will open the doors that provide the risk of trying something new, even if it means failure along the way.