In The Daily Pressfield, Stephen Pressfield explores the arch of the hero's journey. The journey, he writes, starts at home and ends at home. But for us... where's home? Born and bred, I'm an Oklahoman. In 2018, I moved from Oklahoma for residency in California, but long before I departed for California, Oklahoma ceased being … Continue reading Newsletter #82: Home is Where You Are
Tag: career change
Newsletter #80: Where Dreams Go to Die
As I watched the month, day, and year flow from my pen's tip, the date's significance clicked. Interrupting my wife as she journaled next to me in bed, I said, "It's been two years since I left medicine." "Wow," she deadpanned, writing on without pause. That's how I felt too: indifferent. My new life isn't … Continue reading Newsletter #80: Where Dreams Go to Die
Newsletter #79: Asheville – A Nearly Squandered Opportunity
Two weeks ago, I pitched an essay to The Asheville Citizen-Times titled “I Hated Asheville Until I Understood Why”. I’d made peace with place, and against all odds—somehow—had come to accept my complicated city. The editor expressed interest, but my word count exceeded the paper’s limit, so I incrementally sheared off words, sentences, and paragraphs. … Continue reading Newsletter #79: Asheville – A Nearly Squandered Opportunity
Newsletter #77: The Moment Before Our Big Shot
During the timeout before a big shot, Michael Jordan would tell himself, "I've been here before." Then, Mike would take the big shot. As I type, Hurricane Helene is barreling toward our home in Western Carolina, bringing along a 1000-year flood. My wife and I haven't experienced a hurricane before, nor twelve inches of rain … Continue reading Newsletter #77: The Moment Before Our Big Shot
Newsletter #75: Out of My Mind
Thankfully, I wasn't always this heady. When I was eighteen, I didn't ask myself if going to the casino was likely to further my search for purpose. No, in any given moment, I did whatever seemed like more fun. Casino in the afternoon? Sure. Volleyball game at midnight? See you then. How about we grab … Continue reading Newsletter #75: Out of My Mind
Newsletter #74: Deliverance Through Dread (A Tennis Story)
Hesitancy. Apprehension. Misgiving. When we trade in our security, these feelings are our return. What do we do next? Trade our trepidation back in for comfort? Last night, my wife and I watched Jessica Pegula versus Karolina Muchova in the women's semi-final of the US Open. Two veteran tennis players, both crafty. Pegula, the American, … Continue reading Newsletter #74: Deliverance Through Dread (A Tennis Story)
Newsletter #72: All the Necessary Ingratiations
The answer to my question—what will I do instead of medicine?—has emerged. Before two years ago, I'd rise from bed, research alternative physician careers, read a self-help book, and go to clinic for nine hours; then, I'd return home and continue where I'd left off in my book. As one might expect, progress was tedious … Continue reading Newsletter #72: All the Necessary Ingratiations
Newsletter #71: Enduring the Daunting Season Before Us
I'm in a new season. I didn't cause this—nor do I control it—but I know I'm somewhere different. And there's no going back. The season might be new but the process is familiar. These rhythmic changes used to scare me, disorient me, contort me. In the face of each seasonal inner transformation, I felt I … Continue reading Newsletter #71: Enduring the Daunting Season Before Us
25 Years Later, I Accept My Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis
As Kohut said, it's not in absolute autonomy that we find ourselves, but in healthy interdependence. Same goes for my relationship with diabetes, something I could never understand while in denial, but only through acceptance. And of course, diabetes camp was the necessary catalyst.
Newsletter #70: Something Beyond Trying
Up and down these Blue Ridge Mountains, my wife runs like a hybrid jackrabbit and billy goat, darting through the straights and bounding smoothly through the rocks. Mostly, I watch these efforts from behind as I try my damnest to keep her within sight, only succeeding occasionally. After we finish and I consider heaving somewhere … Continue reading Newsletter #70: Something Beyond Trying