Words to live by; living by my words.

2008-12-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Last year, I was asked to participate on a panel of Licensed Acupuncturists who were speaking to students about to graduate from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. As panelists, we were asked to speak about how we practice, the guiding principles we have used to acheive success in our acupuncture practices, and to offer words of encouragement and guidance for those who were about to embark on their new careers.

I found the quote by William Menninger below, and it was a great jumping off point to explore those things I find most true and dear to my heart in my own practice and life. I've found over this past year that my writing on these qualities has become a good reminder to myself of where to focus when I get blurry around the edges, or feel overwhelmed by frustration, anger or fear. They've become even more important as we've moved into this difficult Fall and early Winter, and the swirling fear and anxiety that have accompanied the recent economic downturn.

Remembering to return to myself, my core beliefs, and that calm center of compassionate presence for others (and myself!) has helped me find and hold healing space for desperately ill patients, find deeper satisfaction in my work, and greater joy in working with my patients and colleagues.

I hope that these words will inspire you to investigate your own inner truths, find your own calm center of presence, and be a springboard to greater personal and professional growth.

Six essential qualities that are the key to success:
Sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, charity.
--William Menninger

Sincerity:
Know what it is you believe in.
Your principles will then guide your actions.
Do what you believe in.
Do it whole-heartedly and with passion.
Don't hold back.
If you don't believe in it, don't do it.

Personal integrity:
If you say you'll do it: do it.
If you make a mistake: own it, and apologize.
Listen to your own inner voice,
so that all you do is in alignment with it.
When you recognize you are out of integrity,
gently take yourself back to it.
Only you know when you are or aren't in integrity.

Humility:
If you don't know, say so.
Realize that you don't know everything, and never will.
Every patient you will treat will know something more than you:
who they really are.
Realize and respect the honor and gift of being
a privileged witness to the wonder of another human being.

Courtesy:
Be kind to all. Even when it's tough.
Even when you don't "want" to.
Be kind to yourself: cut yourself some slack.
Treat your colleagues, your patients,
your employees, and your competitors
as though they were your most valued relation.
They are.

Wisdom:
You have your own gift, your own way of being in the world.
Trust that.
Your patients will teach you more than you will ever teach them
(see Humility).
Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Honor both.

Charity:
Give every patient more than they expected to receive.
Give freely of your time, your attention, and your energy.
Others will notice and respond.
Freely refer to other colleagues who have more experience than you:
they will refer back to you, as you develop your own expertise.
There is no shortage of sickness, suffering and pain in this world,
and not nearly enough healers.
Therefore, operate from a sense of abundance and not scarcity.
There are enough patients to go around.

And, Compassion:
Remember the best healer(s) that ever treated you:
how you felt seen and understood,
happier, lighter, more hopeful,
and less burdened by your illness or pain.
Be that.

We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give.
--William Churchill

Portland Acupuncture Blog

Words to live by; living by my words.