Holtzman Wildlife Foundation
Holtzman Wildlife Foundation “And I think preserving the irreplaceable and achieving the unthinkable are two sides of the same coin…….As business leaders and global citizens, we are responsible for ensuring a healthy, sustainable future for our planet and everything on it.” Johnathan Holtzman, third generation CEO of City Club Apartments, has created an international brand […]
Know Thyself
“Know Thyself” Greek aphorism inscribed on the front piece of the Temple of Delphi, often attributed to Socrates It may be that we never truly know our “self”, or that that “self” can change. However, engaging in the continuous process of exploring who we are is how we develop self-awareness. Self-awareness is the foundation for […]
Health in Harmony
“Founded on Radical Listening, Health in Harmony is a rainforest conservation organization holistically addressing the health of people, ecosystems, and the planet.” The tension between conservation of natural resources and the health and wellbeing of local populations has long existed. Dr. Kinari Webb, an American physician and Ashoka and Mulago fellow, founded Health in Harmony […]
The Power of Presence – What Nature Can Teach Us
“The ancient rhythms of the earth have insinuated themselves into the rhythms of the human heart. The earth is not outside us; it is within: the clay from where the tree of the body grows.” John O’Donoghue (Poet, Philosopher) I recently read two nature books by Robert Macfarlane, The Old Ways and The Wild Spaces. […]
Finding Positive News
“Bad news travels fast. Good news takes the scenic route.” Doug Larson (Columnist and Editor) “If it bleeds, it leads” is an old adage in newsrooms. How much of our mental bandwidth do we give up to stories that relentlessly batter us with misery and despair? If these stories truly inform and sometimes inspire a […]
Changing Routine to Ritual
“It seemed to be a necessary ritual that he should prepare himself for sleep by meditating under the solemnity of the night sky… a mysterious transaction between the infinity of the soul and the infinity of the universe.” ~ Victor Hugo Rituals, both religious and secular have been part of human cultures the world over, […]
Physicians: Are you designing your career or is it designing you?
Have you thought about this question? At some point in our careers some form of this question will probably arise. Ideally, it would be something that we might reflect upon before we are in crisis. For years, we as physicians are focused on acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to practice our profession. Skills that […]
Hard Work vs. Martyrdom: Physicians Beware!
I’ve come across many hard-working people in my professional life. I’ve also known my fair share of devoted martyrs. Martyrs rarely inspire, instead they immerse others in their self-sacrifice. Despite their dedication, joy struggles to permeate their self-denial. What is the Martyr Complex? Although, some individuals may be more prone to martyrdom than others, it […]
Phil’s Camino
A Stage Four cancer diagnosis in 2011 completely changes Phil Volker’s life, an islander from Vashon, WA. His regular cancer treatments upend his plan to walk El Camino de Santiago. Instead, he creates a path behind his house through the forest and pastures of the land surrounding his house. He walks the 500 miles of […]