"I am just a mess," my colleague declared, "and I have decided to leave my teaching position. The politics are toxic, the workload remains excessive, and my health is beginning to suffer. 'I know what you are going to say, Gloria. Are you speaking up in meetings, highlighting the issues? No, I am not, I am just exhausted, and my letter of resignation is written." This is only one version of the several conversations I have had with educator and practice colleagues in the past few months despite the extraordinary efforts of nursing organizations to improve the landscape for nurses. I did not push back, nor argue with my colleague. I respect her decision, knowing that she will be back to serve-that is just the way she is. I let my colleague know that I respect her decision, and I am hoping that she takes time to renew, to gain some perspective, and to recommit to serving patients and students.
It has been a rough 3 years and let's face it-we all need a clearer focus on our life priorities and self-care. My own self-assessment points to more self-reflection, more gathering with friends and family now that we are normalizing postpandemic, more effort at being kinder and more compassionate, and more exercise. Eastern philosophies tell us that "...the essence of compassion is a desire to alleviate the suffering of others and to promote their well-being ... the spiritual principle from which all other positive inner values emerge."1(p.115) This includes the suffering not only of ourselves but also of our family, friends, colleagues, patients, and students. Self-compassion is prerequisite to developing compassion toward others, and it is a tenet of Buddhist philosophy that "self-observation without judgment is the highest spiritual discipline." The question for the year 2023 is, "Can we look at ourselves more intently, objectively and without judgment, learn from what we see, and change behavior or course?" The goal is to avoid wallowing in negative emotions and use what we learn to create change and promote contentment. Perhaps, then, 2023 will be a Happy New Year.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2023 to our readers, authors, staff, and Editorial Board!
-Gloria F. Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCPP
Editor in Chief
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