This I Believe Podcast - Juliette Borella

The speaker discusses their belief in stewardship and how it has guided their choices, particularly in their career as a nurse. They attribute their belief to their upbringing in the Catholic Church and the teachings of Jesus Christ. They express the importance of serving others and making personal sacrifices for their well-being. The speaker also mentions their experiences in Africa, which have inspired them to promote peace and equality. They hope to inspire others to make a positive impact and improve the world. Hi, everyone. My name is Juliet Borella, and this is my podcast for the This I Believe assignment. A belief is what one feels or knows to be true or certain. It can be shared or contradicted and even clash with the beliefs of others. While I encompass a variety of different beliefs, the concept of stewardship has been the most fundamental core value that has guided my life choices. This belief is so strong that it dictated and weighed heavily into my chosen career path of becoming a nurse. I would not be the person that I am today without adhering to the belief that dedicating one's life through acts of service will lead to a life that is purposeful, fulfilling, and everlasting. The formation of this ideology is rooted from the lessons and stories that were told throughout my childhood. I was born and raised in the Catholic Church, and for as long as I can remember, I was read passages from the Bible. It helped me learn right from wrong and good from evil. The church that accompanied and reinforced these biblical tales also played an important role in formulating my belief about serving others. Priests and pastors acted as a bridge to help me comprehend what was possible after life. Through kindness, loving all humans, and God's creation, serving others in a similar way to Jesus Christ seemed like the perfect recipe for a happy life and getting into heaven. These teachings have become something I value tremendously and work towards every day. After learning specifically about Jesus Christ's life, work, and service to others, I felt called to do the same. He washed others' feet, forgave, welcomed all, and loved his enemies. They all share the common theme of service and bringing others closer to God. Jesus worked and healed some of the sickest individuals in Jerusalem, people that were outcasted and disregarded by society. The nursing profession has a very similar form of service that is fulfilled through completing several different acts of goodwill on a daily basis. Nurses comfort individuals during their most vulnerable and weakest moments. They advocate and protect the rights of those who are unable to communicate their wishes while providing holistic and compassionate care to their patients. While nursing is a very rewarding and honorable profession, in order to achieve a life full of gratification, one must strive to serve whenever opportunities arise. This could mean having to make personal sacrifices in order to benefit the well-being of others. My Jesuit education in high school and in college provided me with international service opportunities that have helped shape my belief. I have been to Africa twice, once to Uganda and once to South Africa. These experiences allowed me to see how rampant poverty is and how people can live minimal and simple lives with joy. They made me passionate about implementing policies that promote peace, equality, and equity within our own country. I intend to seek out and embark on future journeys that will make impactful contributions to all individuals and communities. Through walking in the footsteps of Christ, honoring the nursing code of ethics, embracing challenging life experiences, and making personal sacrifices, my belief can become a reality, a life fulfilled with passion, happiness, and satisfaction. I do not expect others to relate or to share my chosen belief of service. Rather, I hope it will bring others to see how it embodies the person that I am today. To understand my willingness to go above and beyond for others while being compassionate and accepting, I hope to inspire others to feel a similar calling and to make a significant impact on making the world a better place. Thank you.