First, Do No Harm

"First, do no harm." This statement is the first concept I learned in my 1991 EMT class. The point behind it was to teach the importance of not making a patient’s injury or illness worse through the treatment given. For example, if a patient has an injured leg, don’t move him until the leg has been immobilized so that it cannot be further injured, possibly turning a temporary injury into a permanent disability. However, this idea can be applied to many aspects of life.

One of these aspects of life involves what we say to others. It has long been known that words do cause pain and heartbreak. Children have been taught for many years to be careful of what they say, lest their words come back to haunt them later in life. Kids have been bullied verbally to the point of committing suicide. Words can be used in the workplace to keep employees not only from furthering their careers, but also to keep them from realizing their potential in their current positions. Words can be used at home to keep an abused spouse or child from leaving. As one of my friends pointed out, words are used to cut people with opposing political views to the quick. Words are being used to end friendships and alienate family members—over a difference of political opinions.

I have, for many years, incorporated the concept of “First, do no harm” into all areas of my own life. I have treated others gently. I consider how my actions may affect another’s life. I will choose to remove myself from someone’s presence if I am causing them angst. I have learned to choose my words carefully, and will walk away from someone rather than say something rash in the heat of the moment that I may regret later. I make it a point to share my thoughts and opinions when invited to do so, but I do not attempt to sway the other person to my political or religious views. I may attempt to convince another that my way of completing a task is right, but I am more likely to complete the task myself rather than impose my way of doing things on others.

In her Facebook post, a friend noted the extent of vitriol spewed over opposing political views. She reminded those who read her posts that we all have differing opinions, and issued a heartfelt plea to those who read her post to take care that they remember to love each other, and not divide themselves over political ideals. My friend has a valid point. The upcoming election will determine who becomes our next President, but the division over the election will continue on for longer than the new President’s term in office. Families are being torn apart, friendships forever destroyed—over an election that will soon be no more than an event in American history. Does the outcome of this election have the potential to cause America more problems in the long run? Yes, absolutely. Does it have the power to bring about change that can improve the American way of life? Again, the answer is an overwhelming yes. There will likely be good and bad repercussions of this election no matter who becomes President. The problems that come about from this election will eventually be solved, in some form or another. However, the broken families and friendships will remain so for years, if not lifetimes to come.

Words are being used to do irreparable harm. It is time to stop using words as knives. It is time to consider how our words affect others. It is possible to share viewpoints without verbally assaulting each other. Debating classes and clubs have existed for years to teach students how to convince others of their own positions. None of these debates have included using words to hurt others. Students can learn to thoroughly research their positions and back up their opinions with such research. When arguing with others, insulting people is more likely to cause further division than to convince them of one’s own point. It is more likely to hurt feelings than to sway the other person’s opinion. It’s time for us to fall back on the tenet I first learned in my EMT class: “First, Do No Harm.”