Words Have Power

How true.

Enjoy and be inspired.

So Sayeth Condoleeza Rice....

Condoleeza Rice delivered a wonderful commencement address to the graduating class of 2012 at Southern Methodist University this past May. She's such an impressive person. Her words to the 2100 young graduates bursting forth into the world after four years of higher education resonated with me. She had, among other comments, four specific bits of advice regarding the obligations and responsibilities of those educated persons.

-- "find and follow your passion"; the "something you really believe is a unique calling to you, in other words something you can't live without"

-- a "commitment to reason"

-- to "graduate with wisdom and humility"

-- to "remain optimistic"  and to "work towards human progress"

Love it.

On the topic of wisdom and humility, her words resonate deeply for me. She points out that strong beliefs aside, a wider vision, acknowledging that others have a right to their views is healthy. And, necessary.  She says.....

"There is nothing wrong with holding an opinion and holding it passionately. But at those times when you're absolutely sure that you're right, talk with someone who disagrees. And if you constantly find yourself in the company of those who say "AMEN" to everything that you say, find. other. company."

Find other company. Yes. Balance. Expand your thoughts. See what's out there. Respect. 

Great Advice from Pastor Ruff

Rob Ruff is a Lutheran pastor at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minnesota. I read his recent contribution to KevinMD.com on preparing for death. Thoughtful, timely, and above all, comforting.

These are words highly recommended no matter who you are are where you are in life.He writes with something for everyone, even those who may consider themselves invincible.

Here's what he says....

Back On Line

When last I logged in and posted on Ahead of the Wave, photographs dominated, words a scarcity. Feeling there was little to say but at the same time much to express, I took a break not knowing if it would be my goodbye from blogging or an interim hiatus. Turns out the pull tugs at me again.  Initial relief from the perceived bondage of having to post something relevant, funny, sad, interesting or otherwise worthwhile gradually gave way to thoughts of potential blog fodder.

For weeks I've tried to imagine my re-entry post musing: do I just start writing again like nothing happened or do I try to explain myself?  Probably no one cares anyway; well, that's not exactly true since a few people (counted on one hand) noticed I wasn't writing regularly.

Anyway, there are many "things", going on.

Summer is well underway although you'd never know it by the weather. Today was foggy and cool until well after 10 AM; felt just like early fall. I'm glad that it's not hot but still....

Work absorbs me totally and even when I'm not physically on the job, I play like I am with the online capabilities of the computer. This schedule is unusual for me but in the last 21 days, I've been on call for 15 of those 24 hour blocks of time. I made it through; the first week tougher than the second owing to a cold caught on the flight back from Kaui'i in late June. Now I'm reveling in two days off and feeling light, slightly inspired, and relieved to have time to sit in my nightgown until noon. Delighting in the sound of the trucks picking up the trash, recycling and yard waste makes my home lighter too. I love to purge stuff, 5S, unload, get rid of, throw out and see more air between my things.

I have a list of small tasks to accomplish today; nothing drastic or dramatic. Buy stamps, deposit checks, vacuum carpets, empty the dishwasher, water the plants, write a few checks. Oh, and visit my Dad..... but that's a more complicated task as I try so hard to make a difference in the life of a frail  94 year old man. More on this later.

I'm thinking about the moment; the empty nester's quiet.

I'm thinking about my grown kids and about how our adult relationship changes but yet, doesn't change.

I'm learning about the Mediterranean diet and want desperately to eat healthier. I still am in love with diet Red Bull and pray it's not going to become a product linked with cancer of this or that down the line.

I'm thinking about consciously purchasing local products, supporting the local economy, and pondering where my food comes from. Why do we call pig, "pork" and cow, "beef"?.....and stuff like that. What really happens in the mainstream food processing plants of America?

I'm acknowledging the importance of communicating directly with the source of our human problems instead of gossiping and groaning to others (unless it's my significant other with whom I unload my angst because that doesn't count). :)

I'm pondering what it means to really know that when the sun sets each day there is one less day to live. What do I really want to do with the days left on my life's calendar?

More to come. I'm thinking again and (almost) on The Edge of Glory.

Stay tuned.

Gifts: Tangible and Emotional

Prompt for Dec 30: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What's the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)


Some of these prompts are quite easy; I just "pull" from earlier posts, pick a title and call it a response.  As for gifts, there were many this year.

The Wave Sculpture is that tangible gift to be treasured as a source of mystical beauty and inspiration as I move forward with my blog and other creative energies. Ever so tangible, a delight and a piece which makes me very happy. Thank you, Denny.

The emotional gift of the year would have to be that single crow's feather, underneath my sofa amidst the dust bunnies, waiting to be discovered; a message from beyond that says, "My darling; I am fine. I made my journey safely."  Thank you, Mom.

Hope for our Future

Prompt for Dec. 24: Everything's OK. What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?
(Author: Kate Inglis)

It was a Sunday in late November, the first Sunday of Advent.

My Dad, daughter, brother and I  attended a church service together. I was surprised and spellbound to be a part of an Interfaith service and listened with hunger to the words of Rabbi Falcon, Pastor Mackenzie, and Imam Rahman. Our commonalities so much larger and stronger than any differences, gave me hope for the future....if only more people could hear these three share their messages of love, respect, and understanding and get the point, the very simple but powerful point that we are all one humankind.  Is this possible? If so, we could collectively change our world in staggeringly beautiful ways.

These so-called Three Amigos have it right on. Everything will be alright in a world where we trust in our brotherhood and sisterhood, our single source, our one true purpose on this earth.



Merry Christmas Everyone!

Does this Encourage you to Consider Kidney Donation?

I found this masterfully rendered drawing of the human kidney while reading medical blogs this evening. Designed by Nizar Swailem, the poster promotes organ donation at the American University of Beruit.

"Sometimes you don't have to give up your life to give life to someone else."

Very powerful indeed.

The Magnolia Angel Redux

I watch for this man whenever I drive to work. If I'm on the road early enough I see him. But, I never seem to have my camera or if I do, I don't have time to stop. Yesterday was the exception. I took some of these photos out of the driver's side rear view mirror so as not to call attention to myself.

Who is he?

He is Magnolia's Angel; a local resident who walks to work rain or shine, dressed in a suit and carrying a plastic bag and a trash grabber. His path takes him out of Magnolia village, past Magnolia park, and down the Magnolia bridge. Along the way he picks up trash and his bag is almost always full by the time he gets to the base of the bridge. I've seen him hundreds of times over the years. He's doing his part to keep our neighborhood beautiful.

What else can I say? Whenever I see him, I feel blessed. Instantly.

Do You Think You Can?

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right."
Henry Ford

This quote has been on my mind a lot. These words came up in two different conversations I had today. How much of what we seek is just out of our reach because we don't believe in ourselves? I know it's true for me.

I'm workin' on it.

Of Talents, Gifts, and Dreams

I've more to say on the subject of dreams. Weeks back I posted about some of the weird and wacky dreams I've recalled come morning. We all are dreaming nightly, "they say", but most dreams never register into our daytime consciousness.

As I sit here on this early Sunday morning the skies are still dark and the coffee brewing all too slowly in the kitchen. I remember snippets of my dream from last night.

I am a student again, taking classes in medical school. But, the strange thing is, I am already a doctor fully trained so why I am in school isn't clear. Renal Physiology is taught by a master, someone I've known in the past, someone who in non-dream life is deceased, his life cut short by a devastating heart attack when he was in his early sixties. This already sounds way too convoluted.

True to form, I've missed the first class and have to admit this to the snooty course coordinator the next day as I pick up the course materials. She shakes her head and says, "The first assignment is due on Friday and the test is after that." She goes on to acknowledge that the topics are so complex that even after all her years listening to the chief deliver the lectures, she'd never be able to pass even the first test.

Lecture 1, which I've missed, covers the renal handling of potassium, a subject in "real life" which continues to fascinate me and for which I feel I'll never really have grip beyond the basic talking points. The lecture outline and diagrams are gorgeous, beauty to behold (I've always loved great study guides and visuals, especially in relation to renal physiology) Wow, I think, missing this lecture was poor timing and here's the course coordinator adding fuel to the fire by admonishing me that an assignment and test are on the horizon, implying it will be an uphill battle for me to catch up having missed only one of his lectures. (She doesn't know that I'm already a fully trained nephrologist, I say to myself).

On my way out of the office, I drop my handbag and everything spills out. I hear Professor Hebert who has been wandering about in the background and who spies me, requests that his assistant ask if amongst all my stuff scattered on the carpet might there be a tube (unopened) of toothpaste? In "real life" there was such a mini-tube, the type you get from the dentist's office, in my purse yesterday. Ahhhh, the nature of dreams to weave reality and fantasy in the most twisted ways.

The dream ended but I know from a deep place the message is prescient.

I'm struggling these days with just how to use my talents (writing and teaching) in such a way that I'm ignited with passion rather than beaten down by self doubt and criticism.

I'll think on this; the dream and the real life realities.

If we are blessed with talent(s), must we use them? Are our gifts our destiny?

"Reading" on the Road

Once a week I make a 60 mile round trip ride to see patients at a medical clinic in Federal Way. I used to flip on the radio or drive in silence but after several months of these lengthy commutes I wondered if there might be something better to do with with all that time. I got to thinking about a suggestion from fellow blogger Sharon who left a comment on this post in which I whined about the 26 stoplights and 28 minutes it took me to travel the 8 miles to visit my parents three times a week. Sharon suggested audio books. Revelation. Never considered it but now I'm hooked.

I listen to books on tape (actually on CD) on my once weekly 120 minute commute but also when I'm driving to and from Mom and Dad's place and often when driving downtown to work. Fiction, non-fiction, memoir; it's all good and I actually feel like I'm getting good things out of my long hours spent in the car battling city traffic. Thanks, Sharon!

Last week, I "read" Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame. She's now in her mid 50's and what a life she's had as the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, wife to Paul Simon (briefly) and her personal battles with alcohol, drugs, and bipolar disorder. Her memoir is funny, touching, and full of advice; probably not a book I would have read otherwise but certainly one for the road.

This week I "read" The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. What a tremendous book! I'm going to purchase a copy since this one's a keeper to be referenced and re-referenced. Randy created a thoughtful, engaging dissertation on living well; about the magic of dreams, courage, hard work, hard play and personal connection. His advice is likely applicable to most of us folk who are trying hard to live our best life. I was reminded as I listened to Randy's words of Tim McGraw's song "Live Like you Were Dying" ; a nice connection.

More on chapter 37 of Randy's book, The Last Lecture later. It bears special relevance for my dear daughter who is searching for solid ground on which to stand. The best advice I've ever read on romantic relationships. Ever.

Might I inspire you to read a few books on the road too?

Read More Books in 2010

I don't make New Year's Resolutions; they don't stick.

However, I made a few New Year's wishes for myself. The first is to read more books. I love to read. Curling up with a good book is one of life's precious gifts. Over the last couple of years reading has taken a back seat to "messing around" on the computer. I don't think this is necessarily a good thing so I'm going to try to turn this around by reading more and playing on the computer less.

Listening to books on CD counts. Once a week I make a two hour round trip commute to a satellite office south of Seattle to see patients. I used to drive in silence (which was meditative...almost) and sometimes would turn on the radio. But now I listen to books on CD.

I'm currently just about to finish up Three Cups of Tea which is likely the most inspiring account I've ever encountered of how one person can make a difference, an enormous difference. One American man's promise (Greg Mortenson) to local villagers in a remote region of northern Pakistan to build them a school to educate their youth in the 1990's changed his life and the lives of thousands of students as he went on to create the Central Asia Institute and built dozens of other schools throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan. His commitment to the education of girls in particular is astonishing. Highly recommended reading or listening.

What books are you reading right now?

Second Seating Goes Live

My very talented sister, Mary Margaret and her co-artists, opened Second Seating in Houston last night. This amazing art installation located in an old warehouse in Houston's East End showcases the heart and soul of the region and the beauty of recycled products. Mary Margaret dedicated the show to our mother Doris, an inspiring woman who knew how to pull talent from the unlikeliest places and dazzle with her performance. I believe my sister has done the same.

I'm so proud of my sister. This work has all but consumed her over the last months. Her enthusiasm for the process has been fascinating to witness, almost as much as the artwork. I guess that's the message: "Success is the quality of the journey."

Check out the local television coverage from yesterday. Wonderful! I'm thrilled that I'll get to see the show in October; a quick trip to Houston is in my plans.

A Link for the Anemic Soul

I'm lazy today; reading blogs but feeling uninspired to write. Fortunately, there are talented people out there who are neither lazy nor uninspired.

This post is gorgeous. My sister posted it today on her blog Second Seating, a chronicle of her upcoming show scheduled to open in Houston in September 2009. I'd like to be feasting at this table, literally and figuratively. Seems it's the infusion of iron for the anemia of my body and soul.

The Guest House

I love this poem by Rumi, 13th century Persian poet. The words help me remember that all emotions are important and that we should not shove them away but invite them into our lives. They are indeed important guests that come to teach important lessons.

Enjoy.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~

(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)

Personal Thought for the Day # 21

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right. "

This statement was made by Henry Ford. I want to believe it is true. I wish it hadn't been spoken by Henry Ford however. I have great ambivalence about this man even though many of his one liner quotes are terrific.

Persistence

Check this out.

Last fall I gathered up all the pots, some full of soil and some empty and dragged them to the south side of our house, a shady spot, semi protected from wind and just a good place to store this stuff before time comes for re planting in the spring/summer. I usually up-end the pots as you can see here.

This is what I saw a couple of weeks ago when tulips were blooming elsewhere in the garden.


Obviously, there were a couple of tulip bulbs embedded in that up-ended potting soil all winter. And, like the rest of the tulips in the garden, the mystery unlocked in early spring and the bulbs unfolded their green sprouts, hungry for the light. How hard was it for these two stalks to find the hole in pot, the path to glory? I'll never know but successful they were and the blooms are proof. There's not much light on the south side of our house but somehow.... this orange beauty is basking in a ray.

What is "Work Worth Doing"?

According to a blog I read regularly entitled The Happiness Project, former U.S. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is quoted as saying that the secret to a happy life comes from "work worth doing". I'm intrigued. Intrigued because I agree but yet don't know what "work worth doing" means to me personally. I flat out want to know. Now. Please.

I strive for the mental state of happiness like everyone else I know, plodding along with an idea here, an idea there, some good days, some bad days, and lots and lots of just plain in-between days. Is the key really "work worth doing"? I have to wonder. I have to stop and really consider this.

I believe the former Justice is right. Her response is so concise, a 3 word answer, sufficiently non-specific, open to interpretation and absolutely gorgeous in its simplicity. Work. Worth. Doing.

I went to work today. Was it work worth doing? The work was obviously helpful to some, I offered expertise, oversight, review, commentary, and the all important written documentation to prove that I was there, working. Much of this work was rather boring and tedious today (that is the exception rather than the rule) and most of the patients would have incited a deep sadness in me had I let those emotions bubble up. Feeling that what I do is so small in comparison with the real need often overwhelms me. "It" is broken and I can't "fix it". Imperfect and incomplete; the nature of what we do in Medicine makes me question on a personal level if this is really the right fit for me; "work worth doing".

I remind myself that our work is way more than our paid or unpaid jobs and responsibilities. When what we're paid to do or what we must do to keep life flowing doesn't quite satisfy the "worth doing" qualification, we must look deeper into life and find the nuggets of joy that make our hearts soar with creativity. Perhaps it is what we love, those inner passions and gifts that we throw out there with abandon, hope, and innocence that constitute the "work worth doing". When you happen to make a living at what you love to do, that's all the better. But, it's not a requirement.

I'm still searching. But at least I'm sensing movement and opening my mind to the possibilities.

Personal Thought for the Day # 18

If I would live in the present moment instead of railing against the past or fighting off the future, I would experience a wealth of calm and peace.

Live Like You Were Dying

Driving in to work this morning I had my radio tuned to FM Warm 106.9, a random station that rarely gets my attention but today there must have been a reason. Although I'm not a country music fan (except for the old Willy Nelson favorites from decades past), I was riveted to Tim McGraw's tune "Live Like You Were Dying". Need I share that there were tears welling up by the time the song wrapped up as I drove down 5th Avenue under Seattle's monorail? The message was clear, the timing perfect, and the effect on my day rather remarkable.

The lyrics are great (below) but the way he sings brings the story to life. Listen up all! We are all dying and we should live like we are dying. If not, life will pass us by. Why wait for the wake up call of a life threatening illness to bring us to this precious place where each day is the blessing, where each day is the opportunity.

Here goes.....

"He said I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me
And one moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays
Talking bout' the options and talking bout' sweet times.
I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end
How's it hit 'cha when you get that kind of news?
Man what did ya do?
He said

I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Verse 2
He said I was finally the husband, that most the time I wasn't
And I became a friend, a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin, wasn't such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book, and I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again
And then

I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Shu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Like tomorrow was the end
And ya got eternity to think about what to do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

Skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And man I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

To live like you were dyin'
To live like you were dyin'
To live like you were dyin'
To live like you were dyin' "

Click here for Tim McGraw's video; very nice indeed.....