Hospice teams are rather incredible groups of people! Professionals and volunteers are brought together to give a service to individuals and their families that frequently has a value beyond description.
Today I found myself pondering over the functioning of this team. People of different personalities, education, life experience and beliefs come together with a common cause. The different services vary from patient to patient in who makes the biggest impact on an individual. The bottom line is that people in their final days get a profound sense that “they matter” !!
I contemplated the comparison to a jigsaw puzzle of a beautiful nature scene. Some are so attractive that when completed, the puzzle becomes a piece of art on the wall rather than be taken apart for someone else to enjoy assembling.
Watching any group working together to put a puzzle together could be compared to the hospice team I referred to above. In some circumstances the team’s efforts gel and come together in a beautiful functioning mosaic. Other times for different reasons, the team does not give productive support and could be compared to a jigsaw puzzle that someone became frustrated with and forced pieces to connect. How the individual members view themselves and their role affects how they view and value the role of others on their team. There can be a tremendous difference in the outcome of working together.
As a piece of that jigsaw puzzle, are you one who finds a way to serve in a harmonious manner with your team mates? In answering that question honestly you may discover even more effective service you can give to your patients.