Who is being served? - Holistic Health - Medicine Blog - timesunion ...

Wow. I was going to write about my disgust at the new lows that retailers are sinking to this year by opening stores even earlier. When I did a web search I was pleased to see many people feel the same way I do. There are petitions and blogs, articles and protests. This is great!

So how could I make anyone reading this blog think about this issue? I decided to share a very personal story.

For over 10 years I worked the 3 PM to 11 PM shift as a nurse. One thing you come to realize very early on in your nursing career is that healthcare could care less about holidays; sick people do not miraculously get well so you can have a day off. Holidays off are limited for all who work the front lines and precious to you when they occur.

My mother was all about the holidays and spending it with family. She loved that I was a nurse and understood fully why I had to work. But still, she would always tear up when it came around 1:30 and I would start to dress in my uniform to leave the family gathering. I had two young children and they pleaded with me to stay home; they had much less understanding for what I did. I felt bad all the way to work, sad and depressed. I would often cry and those who know me would tell you I am not the crying type.

This was repeated holiday after holiday for many years. I once went 2 years without a holiday off because of staff turnover and high demand.

My mother has passed away. I would give anything for any amount of time with her now, never mind a holiday. I do feel at least the time I spent away from her on the holidays honors her.

So who does opening a retail store on a holiday like Thanksgiving serve? This is the busiest holiday travel of the year because we all share this holiday, regardless of religious faith. This should be a day we reverently give thanks for the bounty we have. A day for gratitude.

One only has to look at the profits of big box retailers to know who is served. Follow the money.

Don?t misunderstand me; I can shop right along with the best, some even call me the best, so I am not anti-shopping altogether.

I will be thinking of those men and women who will have to leave their homes, families and friends on Thanksgiving to go stand behind a counter and sell something someone really could wait until Friday to buy. I will remember how I felt and I was going to care for the sick.

So don?t go, encourage your family and friends not to go. Stay home and get cozy; eat too much and love life. If you?re alone, snuggle up with a good story or movie.

But we have the power to stop this and retain one of the last holidays for everyone who can have it.

Just ask yourself, who is being served?

Wishing everyone a day, a moment, a breath full of gratitude. The sunset was so spectacular tonight!

Amen.

Lenore teaches mindfulness in Albany, for information about upcoming programs go to www.solidgroundny.org

Come by and see our Solid Ground table at the ?Women?s Health Conference December 4th

http://www.tolife.org/breast-cancer-events/

Source: http://blog.timesunion.com/holistichealth/who-is-being-served/10360/

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