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INSPIRATION/LIFE LESSONS
The Win-Win Power of Kindness
Kindness is a terrific de-stressor — I can vouch for that
Two weeks back, I went into hospital for a laparoscopic procedure followed immediately by regular surgery.
“You seem pretty calm,” my friend said when she called to wish me luck the day before.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m not thinking ahead to post-surgery hassles. Just staying with the here and now…”
“Stay calm, okay!”
I went in 45 minutes prior to check-in time, although the hospital had asked me to come in 30 minutes before.
At the registration desk, they asked for my name, DOB, and so forth. Then they announced: “You’re not on schedule today.”
I called my surgeon. She insisted she would be performing my procedure today. I enjoyed two hours of uninterrupted reading time while the surgeon’s office slugged it out with the hospital’s scheduling manager.
Finally, the manager came out looking red-faced and breathing hard. “Okay, they’re coming to get you for your first procedure in fifteen minutes,” she said. “But in the meantime, just stay calm, okay! Stop getting stressed. Oh my God, just stop getting stressed!”
