NAON News

Inch by Inch 

I'm hard pressed to find anyone that is crushing life these days. I have a long list of things that "could be easier" at the moment. Everything from the two nails I've had in my tires over the past three weeks to critically ill friends - one intubated and on a ventilator and another needing open heart surgery. One of my favorite songs to listen to during these stressful times is "World on Fire" by Sarah McLachlan. The lyrics to the chorus are:

The world is on fire, it's more than I can handle

I'll tap into the water, try to bring my share

I'll try to bring more, more than I can handle

Bring it to the table, bring what I am able

At such a hard time as this, I'm reminded that I can and must be intentional when I say “Yes” and “No” because so often, when you say “Yes” to something, you’re also saying “No” to something else. I’m also reminded that there is much to life that is beyond my control – as situations unfold, we must negotiate and renegotiate our place in them.

These times are also a reminder that all I can bring is what I’m able. No matter how hard I try, I’m only going to be able to do the best I can - that is my maximum capacity. Life can be overwhelming, work can be overwhelming, and I can often agree and say “yes” to too much.

Whichever situation you find yourself in, there is another quote that has helped me put it all into perspective. I did not find this quote; it came from a dear friend on a day when I felt that the world was on fire and it was more than I could handle. The quote is: “Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life’s hard.” The internet tells me to give John Bytheway credit for this quote. I’m not sure who John Bytheway is, but I’m certain he’s a genius.

There is a lot going on in our organization and our lives, and looking at the big picture can be overwhelming. When I look at the whole picture sometimes, it looks like it could get messy! But I know that each of us can take it inch by inch when we need to. We can look to the leaders and visionaries of the organization to look yard by yard.

I have seen NAON members step up in big ways and help us take those inches and turn them into yards. Soon, the incoming president of NAON, Michele Hughes, is going to take the gavel and help us see yard by yard. I hope you are ready to inch into our future! We’ve got this!

Amber S. Kujath, PhD, RN, ONC
NAON President