Each day, I work with patients coping with change. This includes expectant parents anticipating the birth of their babies with mothers experiencing profound changes in their bodies; adults accepting the physiologic changes of aging; patients diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes and congestive heart failure; and those coping with pain and disability.
Change is inevitable though sometimes invisible.
Our bodies change from moment to moment. At every point in time, cells are dying and being replaced. Except in acute illness, we think of our bodies as stable but we are constantly being refreshed.
So when you are turning 40, 60 or 80, consider your age to be an inaccurate number. The majority of the cells in your body are much younger. Some are under a day old. None of your red blood cells is over three months old.
Acceptance is just one aspect of coping with change. The most important is the recognition of our personal ability to be agents of positive change. I spend much of my time guiding patients in gaining control over their lives.
Every journey begins with the first step, and every significant improvement in your life begins with one small change.
We all need the jumpstart of inspiration with fresh infusions to keep us moving towards living a more positive and healthy life.
Last week, we celebrated Inspiration Day at Century House in New Westminster. I invite you to celebrate your own Inspiration Week by reflecting on seven wellsprings of inspiration.
- Heroes. Joseph Campbell, famed mythologist and author of The Hero’s Journey, recognized that the stories about the bigger than life characters of mythology and our great religions reflected the journey we all take in life. The challenges we face and the call to have courage and do the right thing are reflected in many of those stories.
- Models of human achievement. Great figures in history have set the bar high and shown us what a human being can achieve. We remain in awe when listening to Beethoven, Mozart and Bach, read Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, and look upon great works of art.
- Everyday heroes. While the giants of the past may make us feel like puny underachievers, we have heroes among us each day. These are ordinary people like you and me who choose to do extraordinary things; they express courage and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity or perform acts of generosity and compassion.
- The inspiring people in your personal life. Think about the special people from your past who have made a positive difference in your life. This may include your parents, teachers, mentors and friends.
- Those we serve. My patients have made me a better doctor. Their trust and confidence in me inspired me to be the best physician I can be. My golden rule of medicine is to treat each patient with the care I would expect for my family. My children have taught me humility and what matters most in life. Becoming a parent inspired me to be the best person I can be.
- Your calling. Your calling is the intersection of your passions, talents, values and the needs of the world. Are you engaged in what you love to do? Are your actions, words and beliefs aligned? What can you do today to help someone else and make a positive difference in your world?
- Love. Love, kindness, compassion and goodwill come in many forms. The most inspiring acts are borne of genuine unconditional love. I measure the success of the day by how well I have loved others.
At the end of the day and at the end of life, that’s all that really matters.
Dr. Davidicus Wong is a family physician at Primecare Medical. His Healthwise colmn appears regularly in the Courier. You can read more about finding inspiration and positive potential at davidicuswong.wordpress.com.
