There’s been many a deep conversations over the past 2 years and many quotes and phrases stuck with me; here’s a few of the wisest things I’ve been told and/or landed well, presented in no particular order.

Chin up, chest out, smiles on. By M one of my favourite nurses from in patient times. He had been a firefighter before a nurse and his old firefighting boss would allegedly tell the team before they went into a difficult situation: chin up, chest out, smiles on. He’d kept it as a life motto and told it to me regularly,

This isn’t the end of your story just the end of this chapter; go and Write your new ones. The same nurse as above did a very lengthy discharge document on the day I went home, we’d built an excellent rapport during my stay, we’d talked about what I anticipated my future being and what I wanted to do, it was quite an emotional conversation and he ended with that statement, a massive hug and wave as I was wheeled to an ambulance to finally return home.

Semper ad meliora; a Latin phrase meaning always onwards towards better things. I forget how I came across it, but I love it, if I could have a tattoo (thanks blood thinners) it would be that. I have a strong belief things will continue to improve.

There’s no“just” in what you do. While explaining how I’ve adapted working to a very senior colleague I explained “now I just do…” to which they said “there’s no just in what you’re doing: further elaboration meant they were saying I was still working at a high level and to not belittle my own contribution and efforts.

Not broken, just different.

While retelling a story of a recent experience I described it as “there’s many things on me broken but not that” to which they thoughtfully responded “you’re not broken you’re just different” and it made me smile, I like the wording and while I often feel broken to be told I’m not gave me a huge boost that I needed.

Look at where we started, look at where we got to
Wasn’t gonna die, more life in the arsenal
Got another shot to pull off the impossible

There’s no need to cry for me
I’m a fighter, fighter
You can’t take my voice from me
I will rise up, rise up

🎵 – chant, Macklemore 2023