Last Friday morning I had my right shoulder repaired. There was a lot of damaged cartilage and a lightly torn rotator cuff. I did the left shoulder about six months ago and that one was a lot worse. The rotator cuff was completely torn. It’s all due to wear and tear, a car wreck, and probably not taking good care of myself over the years.
When I checked in, the staff had me fill out a big stack of paperwork. They put a wristband on and then a few minutes later, they called me back. I got escorted back to the pre-op area. Then, the event we all enjoy. The nurse handed me a gown and told me to take my clothes off and put the gown on so the back was exposed. Once they closed the curtain, a strange part of me wished that they played some striptease music or something. Make it a little more fun maybe?
But then I realized I was in a medical environment, and this was a clinical environment. That means you’re there for business. There’s no fooling around. The surgery went well and while I can’t really type, I can certainly dictate, which is how I’m doing this post this morning.
But thinking about it this morning, I cannot get that term out of my head: The clinical environment.
As you probably know, I’m an avid reader, and a bit of a news junkie. Each day I start out by reading CNN.com, then USA TODAY, followed by The Washington Post, all cover to cover. Then read the sports news on ESPN and check into my social media. I like having perspectives from all different groups.
The Washington Post in particular is interesting. I’ve discovered that it really doesn’t matter what the article is about, the forum at the end seems to turn it divisive. It usually takes about three comments to turn it into something political. Absolutely ANY story. It could be a story about politics in which we would expect it, or it could be a human interest story, a beautiful example of love and caring of another person or group, but it’s still devolves quickly into political rant.
But what if we looked at everything clinically? No one is really interested in our opinions, if we’re honest. And what good does it do when we feel the need to comment on something in a negative way?
First, it’s none of your business. Second, you don’t even know these people. And since you don’t know them, they don’t know you, and if they don’t know you, why would they even care the slightest what you think of what they do? If we look at things in a clinical way, then we look at them for the simplicity of what they are. There’s no need to make judgments or try to throw your own opinion onto it.
So, this week, maybe make this the week that you just take a step back and a deep breath, and just appreciate something for what it is. Enjoy the beauty of the moment or celebrate the accomplishments of others.
If you can’t. Just ignore it.