WOMANKIND: Connection & Wisdom Around the World: ISPAN Conference in Dubuque

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

ISPAN Conference in Dubuque

I traveled to Dubuque, Iowa last Friday to be the keynote speaker at the ISPAN nursing conference. Fall colors are coming and it was a gorgeous ride along the Mississippi River. An amazing group of 45 bright, enthusiastic perianthesia nurses attended the conference. The theme was 'The World of Perianthesia Nursing. I really learned a lot by attending the all day conference myself, not to mention that I picked up 8 continueing education credits too!

I was the last speaker of the day - a position that I always dread because I know how everyone is anxious to leave for home by then. Sometimes at conferences I've even seen folks sneak out before the last speaker. but not this group! I don't know if they were simply being 'Midwest nice' , or truly interested in hearing the women of Womankind's stories. I'd like to believe the latter. Several spoke with me afterward about finding their own volunteer projects to do in the world. Many purchased their own copy of Womankind - some more than one!

All in all Dubuque was a very good weekend. Now I'm off to Sabula, Iowa this week to meet with a Book Club and to Overland Park, Kansas on Sunday to meet with the Women's Group of Unity Church. They both should be beautiful trips. I wish everyone could see the midwest in the Fall. It's my very favorite time of the year. Glorious!

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” – Mark Jenkins

In my over 70 years of life, I have traveled over 135 countries in the world, seen much and met countless beautiful people and wonderful children. But I must say this strongly, 'Tibetan people are unique, and Tibetan culture is unique and we must preserve them both, if the what they have naturally can be further cultivated and nurtured in a right environment.'I think, just like Mozart was born to compose without being taught how to, these Tibetan Children are born with compassion in their DNA. They tend to think naturally to put 'others before self.' In this day and age, how is this possible? Maybe because Tibetans are all reincarnations of those with this tradition long, long before? Maybe because it is in their Genes? Or maybe it is due to their mothers' early attitude and behavior? ~ Doctor Kazuko (founder of the Tibetan House Orphanage in Twang, Tibet.

NURSES BEYOND BORDERS

“The extraordinary nurses’ stories in Nurses Beyond Borders have the power to ignite a movement of international volunteerism. As a nurse, this book reinforces what I already know: wealthier and more technologically advanced countries have a responsibility to help the undeveloped ones, not only through a sense of charity, but in order to promote permanent peace and security. With its insightful glimpses into universal health and safety concerns, this collection incites reflection, examination, and hope.” —Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea

Prosperity

A long-legged woman stands on the bow of her boat,
face warmed by rising sun.
Silver streaks glint in her light brown hair,
like sunbeams dancing in the morning glow.
Nimble as a dancer she slips over the side,
rising and falling in undulating waves,
she sinks into her kayak.
With a mermaid’s grace she paddles toward the
white sand beach, frosted thick with pink and purple
seashells that stretches to the brink of the world.
She listens to the shells, so deep they tinkle like
a thousand wind chimes with each retreating wave.
She hunts.
She gathers.
She explores
the beach all day, filling a hand woven bag
with bountiful gifts from the sea,
until afternoon’s slanted light warns
soon the setting sun will stoke world’s
edge in a brilliant backdrop of fiery color.
The woman catches the first wave,
the smallest in a cycle of seven,
and smoothly paddles the kayak
toward her anchored sailboat home.
She spreads pink and purple shells
across the bow admiring each unique shape and hue,
then picks just one that calls her name,
and slips the others gently over the side
returning them to the sea.
The woman has everythingshe needs;
And she knows, what she needs....is enough.
　
　
　

Fresh from San Miguel de Allende

I recently returned from spending more than two months in the lovely colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where I completed the newest anthology in the Nurses' Voices series published by Kaplan Publishing -- Caring Beyond Borders: Nurses Stories about working Abroad. It has been an adventure 'meeting' so many amazing nurses from around the world and reading their stories. With nearly 100 excellent stories submitted, whittling the selection down to only 25 was a daunting task and I am certainly hoping that Kaplan will see to publish a Second Edition of Caring Beyond Borders because so many truly wonderful stories had to be left out of this first one! Watch for its release next spring - April 2010.

Meanwhile, check out some of the others in the Nurses voices series. This one: New Lives contains one of my stories from our time spent in Belize.( In God's Palm) And, although it's been 10 years now since we left Belize I can still see, and HEAR Felicita's thundering voice shout, "Why'd you go and take the baby off the titty?"

Intrigued? Read it! It's available at most bookstores and all the on-line outlets. New Lives

Charming Southern Fiction Up and Coming Author

How Sweet It Is
by Alice J.Wisler
Minneapolis, MN—Following up her acclaimed and warmly welcomed debut, Alice J.Wisler again
spins a captivating Southern tale of humor, faith, and romance. The loveable cast of characters in
How Sweet It Is has a refreshing depth and insight into life, turning this delightful novel into a
compelling read.
“Too often we get caught up in ourselves,” says Wisler of the book’s message. “When we focus
inwardly too long, we miss the beauty of getting to know and appreciate others.”
From a woman recovering from emotional and physical scars to a rag-tag bunch of middle
schoolers, to a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber and a handsome social worker, the characters in Wisler’s
new book reflect life in every aspect—and how we make the best of it.
“Everyone has problems and unexpected events and sorrows in their lives,” said Wisler. “So learn to
live with your sorrow while reaching out to others, also in need. You may think your troubles are
the worst, but there are always those suffering more than you are.”

Tooting My Own Horn

I received these messages this week. And, even though it has nothing to do with 'Womankind" I thought I would go ahead and toot my own horn. GO NANCY!

"Congratulations. Your story, “In Search of Simplier Times,” was chosen to be included in one of our “101 Best” books, representing our favorites from our library of stories. “In Search of Simplier Times” is included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Older and Wiser.

and
Congratulations. Your story, “Granny's Last Cartwheel,” was chosen to be included in one of our “101 Best” books, representing our favorites from our library of stories. “Granny's Last Cartwheel” is included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Marvelous Grands.

This year marks our 15th anniversary, and we are highlighting some of our very best stories, and reminding the world to revisit all of the wonderful books on our title list. You will notice that our books have a fresh new look, with redesigned covers and interiors. We have also recommitted to delivering 101 stories and poems in every book."

The mud green water turns
tawny umber as the sun burns
a path behind the oak-lined shore,
the sky paints herself a rosy shade of wonder.

In the calm surrender of evening
Ole Man River begins to sing his blues,
in the most unforgettable shades of indigo,
deeper and darker, until sometime after midnight, he inks
down to a cyanotic sloe, dark as the devils own colon.

And there he swings, between misery and melancholy,
until morning sun spills over the dark water
and the spirit of the river unfurls her silk scarf –
a garnet whisper undulating in the gentle
morning breeze and slow crimson current.

You gasp in awe of the scarlet wonder,
but sooner than your sigh,
that ole river rolls back over, returns
to drab muddy green, and you wonder
if that silk scarf was real.

By Nancy Leigh Harless

Wild West Book Tour Continues

We've headed up the California coast after a few successful book event in sunny Cal and visits with friends & family. Yesterday we drove the scenic Highay 1 that snakes the Pacific coast. AWESOME views! In the afternoon we drove the "Ave of the Giants" and marvled again at the majesty of those ancient trees - some as much as 2000 years. Think about that.

And now - Look out Washington - here we come! We'll hug the coast all the way up Oregon to savor as much of 'the ocean' as we can before we turn inward and make our way back to the Tri-City area where I grew up. Lots of fun & festivities planned there where old & new friends have a huge Mexican fiesta planned for right after the Book event at Barnes & Noble at Columbia Center (2Pm on Sat March 29th)

It looks like a fantastic day out there - sun, sand & the sea.....It doesn't get any better than this!

The Olathe News - March 6, 2008 - Reporter Judy Southard

Former Olathe resident Nancy Leigh Harless will read....Womankind: Connection & Wisdom Around the World...
Harless' book is a collection of stories about women she has encountered while living or visiting in 15 countries including Guatemala, Belize, Peru, Mexico and Panama. The accounts, Harless said, came from journals she kept during her travels abroad.
"It is a book of hope," Harless said about "Womankind." "These women are amazing, and it's a very joy-filled book. I hope people will be very hopeful for the world when they read it."
Harless, who now lives in the southeastern Iowa community of Wever, lived in Olathe from 1990 to 1992. During her time in the city, she was employed as a prenatal project nurse for the Johnson County Health Department. Her duties included supervising the nurses and social workers who cared for low-income expectant mothers....
Harless said she embarked on her first trip outside the United States in 1997 when she was chosen to be part of a month-long study and exchange program in Guatemala and Belize sponsored by The Rotary International.
"I've seen poverty in the U.S., but I had never seen the abysmal poverty that I saw in those third-world countries," Harless said.
She also said her experiences in Guatemala and Belize inspired her and her newly retired husband, Norm, to move to the Central American country for six months in 1999. With medical supplies they took with them from the United States, Harless said she and Norm opened a clinic that spring.
"It was just unbelievable," Harless said about the months she and her husband spent in Belize and the work they did. "It inspired me to help wherever I can."

KANSAS ROADTRIP

We took a road trip to Kansas last week to hold three Borders Books & Music books events -Lawerence, hometown of the Univiersity of Kansas and where Nancy's youngest daughter graduated, Olathe - where Nancy ran the Johnson County Prenatl Project years ago, and Topeka - where friends Roger & Margo now live. And, while Norm and Nancy agreed it was great to see old friends, we both are feeling the wear and tear of the constant book promotion. It's kbeen a wild ride this past three months! We leave for the west coast on Saturday and return mid-April. Then it will definiently be time for the book promotion events to wind down - not completely stop....just slow down.