What if....

When I sit and compose a piece for my blog I think about what and who I want it to reach out to, the essence of it, the core value, it is always for me a reflective piece of writing, perhaps of the events that have happened over a few weeks, or of things to come, more often it is about moments I have shared with many amazing children, young people and families, or about listening and sharing with fellow health care professionals.

It has been a while since I sat and put into words, my thoughts and episodes of learning as there has been much going on in both my professional and personal life, both of which has taken me down a positive path, and a bumpy with many stones in the way path.

Sometimes these are interwoven with stormy weather, of course I had forgotten my umbrella for those ones! 

Then little surprises- like a rainbow would appear to remind me why.

Of course no-one knows how we will react to such events- but recently having walked for many miles  it has always returned me to the place I know best, and where I am at my best.

My beautiful bookcase is a reminder during the storms, always look for rainbows, for there lies the sparkle.

I have been fortunate to have recently been a delegate at a national conference in Liverpool, I was thrilled as well as a little apprehensive, the RCPCH 2016 conference was for me a little bit of an ambition, almost a rite of passage finally after working for almost 20 years in acute paediatrics, and it didn't disappoint.

It was at times overwhelming, and the level of learning and of thought processes was immense, I felt very honoured to be able to listen and attend some powerful and ground breaking research presentations, listen and share the floor with junior doctors, consultants and professors all working so hard for the good of child health and medicine.

My cup was overflowing at the interest in specialised play in health and the range of people I was able to talk about this with, that patient experience and parent experience was so high on the agenda- it was thrilling to meet and listen to C&YP speak to a room and delegate hall about how it is for them- it packed a mighty punch, and really set the theme for the week.

I then got to thinking "What if"

"What if" we each took 1 thing back to our workspaces to  enhance our practise,  how would we share with our fellow teams what we had learnt

"What if"

together we learnt a new way of listening and working-  the outcomes and possibilities are endless.

We know that effecting changes takes time, and can be profound yet frustrating, as I am all to aware- this in its self feels like a waste of energy.

 "What if" we put all that energy  to use in creating those small ripples- because starting off at a tidal wave is counter productive.

"What if" when we got stuck, and our energy levels wavered - we took a moment to look up, or made a connection with another HCP- in person- what would that look and feel like- would that be our light bulb moment.

"What if" we then were able to connect with a child or young person in our professional capacity - who would impact and connect with the reason we do what we do- the powerfulness of this would be priceless and would enhance our skills.

Recently having completed further training and learning in Counselling Children and Young People using the creative arts- and in observing and working therapeutically with CYP- I put together this, sometimes what we see on the outside is just a superhero cloak- the true depth, feeling and power is what lies underneath.

"What if"

We have the big conversation.

Please give me the space to say how I feel.

To express my anger and pain.

Be there to hold me- if that's what I want, and to walk alongside this part of my being.

I don't know how I feel.

But I do know it hurts like hell.

"what if" I am not brave, but human.

Please support me so I can talk, or not.

I am strong, but I can also be broken.

When I see a glimmer of hope, or laugh, or dance, please let me embrace it- run with it, celebrate it.

For who knows what tomorrow brings.

"What if" I know that tomorrow will not come for many days.

Sian Spencer-Little

Copyright May 2016.