You are the Gift (required post)

This post is in reference to the speech titled Turning Enemies into Friends by Sister Eubank given at a devotional at BYU.

One section of this speech is called "You are the Gift" in which she explains that humanitarian work can apply in the fact that each specific person can be a gift through giving of oneself. She says, "


What would it look like if each of us were our own well-stocked humanitarian organization? Instead of just giving out tangible goods in foreign locations, what if we had the richness of dispensing healing, friendship, respect, peaceful dialogue, sincere interest, protective listening of children, birthday remembrances, and conversations with strangers? What if that was what your humanitarian organization did? This kind of humanitarian work can be done by anybody and it can be done at any time."

There are several key phrases that stood out to me in this quote, that I have pondered on, and decided to make an extra effort to put into practice to make this internship experience more meaningful to me. They are

1) Dispense healing
2) Friendship
3) conversations with strangers
4) respect

The first, dispense healing, was interesting because that is specifically what we were observing while working in the hospital. Our desire is to become medical professional where we can better be able to dispense physical healing to those that need it.  Therefore, by observing and learning all that I could during this internship, it would better prepare me to be the "gift" later in life when I can work as a healthcare professional.

Second, I tried to make friends with those I worked with. It is hard to know what is really going on in the lives of the people around us. While remaining professional, I tried to befriend those around you by talking not only about medical things, but also about their lives and my life. The outcome of this, was that I was able to better understand the culture and lifestyles of the people that I worked alongside in the hospital. This also applied to the other members of the group from BYU. My wife and I tried to get to know different people from the group during our activities. This also was applicable to random strangers on the trams. I tried to talk with everyone.





Third, by showing respect for the doctors and residents I worked with, I was able to better develop positive relationships and learn the most that I could in a short time. Also by showing respect for the patients the doctors are able to better administer and be the "gift" in the lives of the patients. 

Overall, By striving to be the "gift"and create rich and positive relationships with the doctors, fellow students, and strangers I was able to have a more edifying experience here in Spain, and in the future I will better be able to be the gift in the lives of others through friendship, respect, and the ability to dispense healing, both physically and emotionally.