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Life is an Open Blog
For a busy clinician, I have done my share of writing. I have published more than a few hundred medical articles in lay and medical periodicals. I have written, edited, and published six books, including four medical textbooks. I edited a professional association newsletter for many years, was "Children's Health Editor" for a magazine, and still serve as an editorial advisor for a few more. As an educator, I have written hundreds of classes, lectures, and presentations, as well as many grant proposals. I have written poignant letters to the editor and a smattering of other rants and rages that still surface from time to time. I have written love letters and, of course, letters of apology to my wife. As a 12-year-old, I was a junior reporter for our local newspaper. Basically, I have written things since I learned to write.
When WebMD first approached me about doing a blog, I was not even sure what a blog was. Then, I was not sure I would have the time to do it, along with my busy clinic schedule and, of course, the ENT Board. I agreed to try it. Now, I am hooked.
I don't advertise my blog to my patients, but many have found it. Some will ask, "How's your daughter?" Or, "Did you kill those turkeys yet?" At first, I am amazed that they know these things. Then, I quickly realize they are reading my blog. It is a rare patient interaction when a patient knows that much about their medical provider.
I have shared personal stories with my patients for my entire career. They know I once smoked poison oak. Many know my father died of lung cancer at an early age. Many know about my klutzy son that broke his arm dancing at a wedding, and many will know that I nicknamed my new grandson, Elmo, and why.
There are few secrets when you grow up in a small town. Everyone knows everything about you. My life has always been an open book. Now, my life is an Open Blog. No difference.
Openly talking about your family or patients in a public blog can be tricky. You cannot disclose any confidential information about patients, although I do disclose a lot of family secrets. If I was running for Vice President, there would be little they could uncover. If I had written a personal diary for my entire life, there would be little left to uncover should someone find and read it.
Do I have secrets that I have not disclosed? You bet. We all have embarrassing secrets. We all have past events in our lives that we regret. Knowing that you cannot change the past, requires that we exercise a high degree of forgiveness - for others and for ourselves. We only have the ability to change the present, and the motivation to change certain aspects of our future.
Allowing people to know who you are as a person is more important than having your professional credentials on your office wall. Yes, people are interested in your educational background, but as humans - curious humans - people like to know your character. I am not afraid to share what makes me happy, or what makes me cry. I am still reluctant to discuss the two taboo subjects - politics and religion- with people I do not know. I feel that I know my blog readers well enough to give it a try.
My political beliefs are deeply personal. I cherish honesty and commitment. I will accept a President who exhibits both. I like to see things "get done", not just talked about. I would love to have a President that listens, and one who is articulate when he speaks on my behalf in front of the world. All Presidents have speech-writers, but some truly touch your heart. I grew up listening to John F. Kennedy. He was no angel, for sure, but people loved to hear him speak and he was trusted. I remember many wonderful speeches by Reagan. When I listen to Bush, I just listen for mistakes or errors. As a charismatic speaker, Obama is better than McCain, but I question his ability to lead a very troubled and damaged nation. If McCain is to be our next President, he needs to start working on his speaking ability. You are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but crappy covers do not sell books. As a people, we often judge a leader by their ability to speak, and of course, their actions. Actions do speak louder than words, but I still like to her the words - the correct words; the reassuring words; the heart-felt words. I am proud of my imperfect country, and just want to love (and trust) a President again.
A physician colleague of mine (Jewish), moved to rural Ohio to practice. When the first words uttered by a patient are "Where do you go to church?" you know you are not in California anymore. People would not see this fine, wonderful man because he was Jewish. Disillusioned by the intolerance of the townsfolk, he eventually moved his family to a more ethnically and religiously-diverse college town in North Carolina. He and his family are so much happier. Ohio lost a good doctor.
I grew up Baptist in a tiny town with a dozen or more different churches. I went to a Baptist college (because they gave me a scholarship, not because of religion). My first wife was strict Catholic (Shi'ite Catholic!). My mentor was Jewish. I absorbed gifts from all of them. My Aunt Norine (now, 95) was my religious teacher. She took me to Church, taught me enough of the bible that I can still answer all of the Jeopardy questions when this category comes up. I took the required religion courses in college and got A's. My Catholic ex-wife introduced me to a community of people who are committed to their ancient faith. Many go to Mass every day, refuse to eat meat on Friday, and send their kids to Catholic schools. My children were raised Catholic. We used to say that the streets are empty in my town on Sunday because the Catholics are at Mass, and the Protestants are in bed sleeping. We didn't have any Jewish people in our town.
My first boss and dearest friend/mentor was Jewish. He invited me to Seder and shared with me the significance of the many Jewish holidays. I sat with his family at Passover. Until his death a few years ago, he was among the most important and influential people in my life. I would have converted to Judaism if he would have invited me.
One of my best friends is a Buddhist. My exchange student's family are Shinto. We had neighbors who were Muslim (and held services in their home) and many friends who are Mormon. I had one aunt who was Adventist. I have colleagues who are Hindu and patients who probably represent every religion on earth. They are all good people, but not because of their chosen religious. They are good people because they are... good people.
I consider myself deeply religious, but I am not a Baptist, a Catholic, or a Jew. I guess I am a combination of all that I have learned and all that I have experienced in my life so far - maybe I am a congregation of one. I do not attend an organized church anymore (I haven't really found one that "fits"), but I feel that I live a good life with the same morals and ideals that encompass all religions. I believe that this is really what a spiritual God intended.
Now, you know even more about me. I feel naked.
Related Topics:
When WebMD first approached me about doing a blog, I was not even sure what a blog was. Then, I was not sure I would have the time to do it, along with my busy clinic schedule and, of course, the ENT Board. I agreed to try it. Now, I am hooked.
I don't advertise my blog to my patients, but many have found it. Some will ask, "How's your daughter?" Or, "Did you kill those turkeys yet?" At first, I am amazed that they know these things. Then, I quickly realize they are reading my blog. It is a rare patient interaction when a patient knows that much about their medical provider.
I have shared personal stories with my patients for my entire career. They know I once smoked poison oak. Many know my father died of lung cancer at an early age. Many know about my klutzy son that broke his arm dancing at a wedding, and many will know that I nicknamed my new grandson, Elmo, and why.
There are few secrets when you grow up in a small town. Everyone knows everything about you. My life has always been an open book. Now, my life is an Open Blog. No difference.
Openly talking about your family or patients in a public blog can be tricky. You cannot disclose any confidential information about patients, although I do disclose a lot of family secrets. If I was running for Vice President, there would be little they could uncover. If I had written a personal diary for my entire life, there would be little left to uncover should someone find and read it.
Do I have secrets that I have not disclosed? You bet. We all have embarrassing secrets. We all have past events in our lives that we regret. Knowing that you cannot change the past, requires that we exercise a high degree of forgiveness - for others and for ourselves. We only have the ability to change the present, and the motivation to change certain aspects of our future.
Allowing people to know who you are as a person is more important than having your professional credentials on your office wall. Yes, people are interested in your educational background, but as humans - curious humans - people like to know your character. I am not afraid to share what makes me happy, or what makes me cry. I am still reluctant to discuss the two taboo subjects - politics and religion- with people I do not know. I feel that I know my blog readers well enough to give it a try.
My political beliefs are deeply personal. I cherish honesty and commitment. I will accept a President who exhibits both. I like to see things "get done", not just talked about. I would love to have a President that listens, and one who is articulate when he speaks on my behalf in front of the world. All Presidents have speech-writers, but some truly touch your heart. I grew up listening to John F. Kennedy. He was no angel, for sure, but people loved to hear him speak and he was trusted. I remember many wonderful speeches by Reagan. When I listen to Bush, I just listen for mistakes or errors. As a charismatic speaker, Obama is better than McCain, but I question his ability to lead a very troubled and damaged nation. If McCain is to be our next President, he needs to start working on his speaking ability. You are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but crappy covers do not sell books. As a people, we often judge a leader by their ability to speak, and of course, their actions. Actions do speak louder than words, but I still like to her the words - the correct words; the reassuring words; the heart-felt words. I am proud of my imperfect country, and just want to love (and trust) a President again.
A physician colleague of mine (Jewish), moved to rural Ohio to practice. When the first words uttered by a patient are "Where do you go to church?" you know you are not in California anymore. People would not see this fine, wonderful man because he was Jewish. Disillusioned by the intolerance of the townsfolk, he eventually moved his family to a more ethnically and religiously-diverse college town in North Carolina. He and his family are so much happier. Ohio lost a good doctor.
I grew up Baptist in a tiny town with a dozen or more different churches. I went to a Baptist college (because they gave me a scholarship, not because of religion). My first wife was strict Catholic (Shi'ite Catholic!). My mentor was Jewish. I absorbed gifts from all of them. My Aunt Norine (now, 95) was my religious teacher. She took me to Church, taught me enough of the bible that I can still answer all of the Jeopardy questions when this category comes up. I took the required religion courses in college and got A's. My Catholic ex-wife introduced me to a community of people who are committed to their ancient faith. Many go to Mass every day, refuse to eat meat on Friday, and send their kids to Catholic schools. My children were raised Catholic. We used to say that the streets are empty in my town on Sunday because the Catholics are at Mass, and the Protestants are in bed sleeping. We didn't have any Jewish people in our town.
My first boss and dearest friend/mentor was Jewish. He invited me to Seder and shared with me the significance of the many Jewish holidays. I sat with his family at Passover. Until his death a few years ago, he was among the most important and influential people in my life. I would have converted to Judaism if he would have invited me.
One of my best friends is a Buddhist. My exchange student's family are Shinto. We had neighbors who were Muslim (and held services in their home) and many friends who are Mormon. I had one aunt who was Adventist. I have colleagues who are Hindu and patients who probably represent every religion on earth. They are all good people, but not because of their chosen religious. They are good people because they are... good people.
I consider myself deeply religious, but I am not a Baptist, a Catholic, or a Jew. I guess I am a combination of all that I have learned and all that I have experienced in my life so far - maybe I am a congregation of one. I do not attend an organized church anymore (I haven't really found one that "fits"), but I feel that I live a good life with the same morals and ideals that encompass all religions. I believe that this is really what a spiritual God intended.
Now, you know even more about me. I feel naked.
Related Topics:
Labels: health and wellness, naked blogging, politics, religion
