08/22/2024
There is so much anger, hate, and meanness in this world. I truly believe that if we practiced less judgment for the choices other people make, it could honestly reduce some of the hurt that people are causing and feeling.
In my work I meet people often who think differently than I do, and I don’t agree with them, but I don’t judge them for that, and I definitely do not treat them any differently. I continue to provide the beautiful and compassionate care that they deserve, and I always will.
While I see the anger and hate relative to what is happening in our world with politics, religion, and lifestyle choices I also see it in the way people try to tell others how to die and how to grieve. None of that gets to be our choice. 
The beautiful thing about the word “choice,” is that it is ours to make. We don’t have to agree with others. We can have completely opposite opinions on things, but at the end of the day we should be allowed to have a personal choice without fearing the reactions of others.
When someone is declining, whether by age or illness, their autonomy, their voice, and their choices are taken from them. We tell them how to feel and we tell them what to do. I struggle with this because I witness it from both sides, and at the end of the day, what is most important to me is that all people, but especially someone who is declining and nearing the end of their life, should be able to say, “this is how I feel,” “this is what I want,” and “this is what I need.” And our role is to let them know that they are not alone, regardless of whether or not we would do things differently for ourselves. 
We can have our differences, but we don’t have to fight about it, or verbally or physically hurt anyone because of them. In my book that is just not okay. I want us to be better and kinder humans.
xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

