Within ~ 1

Understanding my new relationship with life and limb has brought me to a halt. So I have delved into philosophy, a discipline I have been interested in since first I learned there was such a thing. In the context of just over fifty years as a Registered nurse in various health care systems, I had most often had written guidance. Standards of practice. Policies and procedures for nursing duties. Policies and procedures for fire safety, security, interdisciplinary communications.. and on and on. Here at home, try as I might, there are no identical binders or computer programs for the specifics of my life. (Don’t worry, I’m not devaluing my time by such a search.). There are, however, three concepts that provide context for me to move forward. Autonomy, morality, ethics ~ three qualities that have proved useful and help me to steer the little ship I call ‘me’. There is a fourth multidimensional quality to bring into this retirement mode. One that can lend a lot of sparkle to dry as dust sounding philosophical principles: Fun. Enjoyment. Curiosity. Creativity.  I’ve read and done many things that are ‘dry as dust’. As boring as watching grass grow. But if they are are injected with regular doses of F.E.C.C. life becomes fruitful and a very good place to be. 

Autonomy: *To gain autonomous practice, nurses must be competent and have the  courage to take charge in situations where they are responsible. This translates this into my personal and writing life with the last words ‘where they are responsible.’ In work life, the responsibilities are shared and often assigned according to competencies. Autonomy at home provides greater depth of meaning to being responsible for maintaining home, health and finances. Autonomy, whether with family, friends or the broader community, if bandied about selfishly just will not support an enjoyable retirement. Strengthening previously established relationships and establishing new relationships becomes an exciting and worthy goal. Most importantly, I watched and learned from my grandparents, extended family members, friends, colleagues and communities at large with which I have shared my life.

Morality :  *Looking up the definition of autonomy in an on-line dictionary, I found this phrase: “(in Kantian moral philosophy) the capacity of an agent to act in accordance with objective morality rather than under the influence of desires.” Further brief research this morning gleaned this article from *The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, where they published a treatise entitled Kant’s Moral Philosophy that outlines not only autonomy but the Duty and Respect for Moral Law. Again, I return to my family, friends, colleagues and community regarding morality having witnessed exemplary moral behaviour, and sometimes a ‘good bad example or two’ in the mix. No books, binders or dissertations necessary.

Ethics:  Back to an online *dictionary I went. I learned that ethics and morals are often used interchangeably with a fine distinction between the two.  Paraphrased and as per the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, morals may describe one’s particular values regarding right and wrong while ethics can be broadly related to questions of correct behaviour within a relatively narrow area of activity. Once more, daily interactions with all the many others informs my beliefs, my approaches and my attitudes.

For today, the fun, the enjoyment in today has been baking a loaf of bread, researching with curiosity definitions, and writing this piece. I have a new book to read, along with a few other books. Creating breakfast  - and eating it - is a always a joy for me. There will be more after this posting. I have no specific plans except to go outside in the warm sunshine. 

“Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.”

~ Isaac Azimov, Foundation

* From The Meaning of Autonomy in Nursing Practice - 

        article in Journal of Clinical Nursing 19(15-16):2226-34 - July 2009

        Source:  PubMed

*en.oxforddictionaries.com - Definition of Autonomy

*merriam-webster.com - Definition of morality with information about the distinction between ethics and morals.

*Kant’s Moral Philosophy - First published Mon Feb 23,2004; substantive revision Thu Jul 7, 2016;   <https://plato.stanford.edu>