As Mary Oliver says in her poem, “I do not know exactly what prayer is.” What I do know is that when we pray, we invoke something greater than our current selves; we drop into a deep sense of gratitude for all that we already have; and we ask for the support that we need …Read More
Category: Journal
Joy and Grief ~ Raspberries and Bananas
We shake with joy, We shake with grief. What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body. ~ Mary Oliver There are some things that you can’t prepare for. Susan walked into the supermarket. It was a weekly visit, a leisurely trip. She liked finding new things to try. She had …Read More
My Personal Prayer for 2022
On this second day of the new year, I step into the ritual of looking at the year ahead. I celebrate beginnings and endings in the same way that I marvel at the sunrise and the sunset, marking time with their beauty. Today, I sink into my intention for the year. From a place of …Read More
Ode to My Socks ~ Pablo Neruda
Ode to My Socks by Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) Maru Mori brought mea pairof sockswhich she knitted herselfwith her sheepherder’s hands,two socks as softas rabbits.I slipped my feetinto themas though intotwocasesknittedwith threads oftwilightand goatskin.Violent socks,my feet weretwo fish madeof wool,two long sharkssea-blue, shotthroughby one golden thread,two immense blackbirds,two cannons:my feetwere honoredin this waybytheseheavenlysocks.They wereso handsomefor the first …Read More
Day of the Dead
In many cultures it is said that you die twice. First, when your body leaves this earthly plane. Second, when there is no one left that loves you to utter your name on their lips. On this day of the dead, many cultures have ceremonies to remember and honor their ancestors, visits to graveyards to …Read More
Drinking water from a firehose
It’s 9am as I enter the back of the lecture hall. I glance towards my usual seat — left side, off center, four rows back. I pause at the top of the steps. My eyes adjust to the dim of the indoor lights against the dark industrial carpet. From the back of the lecture hall, …Read More
Wall of Shame
First, I want to say, it was not my idea. It’s common practice, we all did it. You apply to top schools, a couple in the middle tier, and some safety that you know you can get into. We were all graduating from college. I was applying to medical school along with a few others, …Read More
Don’t go back to sleep ~ Rumi
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want.Don’t go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsillwhere the two worlds touch. The door is round and open.Don’t go back to sleep. ~ Rumi I woke up this morning …Read More
“Doc, I never drink…”
I was working at Miami Veteran’s Hospital as an intern, wet behind the ears, newly minted physician… and trying to figure out the worlds of my patients. Part of the medical history screens for alcohol abuse. “How much do you drink?” I ask. “Well, every day I buy a case of beer.” Suddenly his face …Read More
Democracy is supported by its people
When asked what to tell people who don’t vote because they don’t feel like their vote matters, Rachel Brown says, “Do more than vote! Not voting is not the answer. Do more than vote.” She encourages her millennial generation to get involved in politics. She herself recently ran for public office. Democracy depends on its …Read More