a challenge for you all...

earlier this week, i had a little episode that humbled me.
the patient i was supposed to see showed up 30 minutes late, so i was a little ticked. i had already assumed the patient would not be coming at all, and so was not prepared for him. he came in and was very apologetic. i couldn't be mad any longer. and then i had to do something that many people would think is incredibly disgusting. cerumen management. (wax removal). it wasn't even "real" cerumen management, because the wax wasn't in the ear canal, just outside (that's just for you future AuDs). i could have left it there and it would not have hurt anything. but i realized...
1. this man is elderly,
2. he may live all alone with no one to take care of him, and
3. lastly, but most importantly, i would not be a good audiologist-in-training if i didn't clean this out

when i told him what i needed to do, he just said, "yep, okay" and just sat there all quiet and still.

ask i was cleaning, i must admit i got a little grossed out, and i thought... this isn't just my job to help people like this. this should be my life, taking care of people because we're all people, and loved equally by our Creator. it doesn't matter how much ear wax they have, or how dirty they are, or what diseases they have..... but this is what we are called to do. serve others and take care of their needs if they are without someone to help them.

so i challenge you all to serve others. do something that you wouldn't normally do to help someone else.