Spirituality In Wagner's Life

Personal spirituality is one aspect of a human being’s character and identity that is not only important, but also an aspect that plays a vital and essential role in helping people to better understand the world they live in. Madison Wagner believes strongly that spirituality is starkly different from religion, although, for some people, religion can be a guide to helping people to understand and discover their spirituality. As a future nurse and patient advocate, Madison knows that it is her responsibility and privilege to care for the needs of the whole person, which means not only helping her patients recover physically from any injury or illness they may have incurred, but also caring for the personal and spiritual needs of each individual …show more content…
Madison, like many of her peers, is trying to balance her school work, social life, family life, and personal time. Sometimes, all of these things become too much to handle, and it is necessary for her to find ways to cope with the stresses of being a young woman and college student, which includes finding sources of strength, peace, and security. First, Madison gains strength from her family. She is an only child, which has allowed for an extremely close bond and relationship between her and her parents, and both her mother and father are wonderful resources for her in times of struggle. Another source of strength for Madison is simply thinking about the future and the eventual outcomes of whatever obstacle she is trying to overcome. For example, there are times when some classes in the nursing curriculum become very difficult and she asks herself, “Is this all worth it?” When this happens, she often thinks about the future and realizes that she is not only taking classes to prepare her for future classes in college, but taking classes that will provide her with information she will utilize for the rest of her life. She is not only working for short-term rewards, such as receiving good grades, but is working for long-term rewards as well, such as having grades that allow her to graduate nursing school, land a great job, and eventually provide for her future family. Having and knowing your individual …show more content…
When it comes to peace, Madison gets hers from nature. In her personal opinion, there is nothing more peaceful than going on a hike, or even just sitting outside in the sunshine on a nice day. For instance, when she needs a study break, she will often go for a walk outside or sit on the bench at the edge of the Bluff under the pine trees and take a few deep breaths. By spending more time in nature, Madison can get more peace and ultimately understand herself better. Understanding what or who gives you individual peace is vital, since it is important that everyone know where or who they can turn to when life is chaotic. When it comes to security, Madison actually gets hers from being alone. While many people find security in those around them, Madison feels the safest when she is taking care of herself and is concerned about herself, rather than allowing other people to take care of her or be concerned about her. Madison attributes this facet of her personality to her experiences as an only child and experiences in high school. As an only child, Madison is comfortable being an independent young person, and as someone who participated in a high school sport that no one else participated in, horseback riding, she has grown up working for herself and taking responsibility for her own success. By understanding where Madison gets security, she can better take care of