InspireGrowth

The Power of Kindness: A Thanksgiving Reflection

We are often assaulted by negative news stories. Although factual, stories of murders, terrorism, political scandals, and natural disasters saturate the airwaves. While there are anecdotes detailing gestures of kindness, the stories recounting acts of malice seem much more ubiquitous than those describing deeds of goodwill.

Despite the overwhelming amount of pessimistic narratives that enter our lives through newspapers, radio, television, and our phones, I sincerely believe that there are more acts of benevolence than there are of hostility. Kind acts occur every day around the globe, and when I learn about things that people do to add something positive to the lives of others, it motivates me even more to do the same. I witnessed such a gesture several years ago. Although the following event did not occur on Thanksgiving, it exemplifies the spirit of the season.

While in the middle of a busy shift in the Emergency Department last year, I witnessed such an act. We were busy to the point that we ran out of rooms, leaving many patients on stretchers in the hall. I had cared for a middle-aged woman and, after some testing, deemed that she was safe to be discharged home. I cannot recall all the details, but she lived about an hour away from the hospital and she had no way of getting home. The clerk in the department had offered to call a cab, and it turned out that the fare would be $100. My patient said that she could not afford to pay such a hefty fare, and she stated that she had no other way of getting home.

After a short conversation at the desk with the clerk, the woman appeared despondent. Only a few minutes had passed when the man approached. He was an older gentleman, probably in his early seventies. He was a family member of another patient who had overheard the difficulties that my patient was experiencing. He took $100 out of his wallet, handed it to my patient, and told her that he wanted her to have it.

My patient responded by saying something like, “I can’t accept this money from you,” and then, “Why are you being so nice to me?”

I still remember the gentleman’s response. He said, “You’ve got it backward. You’re actually doing something nice for me by allowing me to help you.”

Giving away $100 seemingly without thought to a total stranger appeared to be effortless for this man. Showing love and compassion is quite easy most of the time. Admittedly, it can sometimes be a challenge. However, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Moreover, grand gestures are not always necessary. A smile or a few warmhearted words can raise another person’s spirit and brighten their day. Kindness can be infectious and will be paid forward many times over.

So, for Thanksgiving, the holiday season, and throughout the year, give thanks for the blessings in your life and consider the impact of being open and giving whenever the opportunity arises.

If you have stories of kindness that you’d like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please feel free to share it with anyone who may be interested.

Always Ask Yourself Why

I knew that I wanted to be a doctor. I also knew that applying to and securing a spot in a medical school class would be exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, I understood that medical school itself would not be a piece of cake. I knew that my medical school education would require long hours of arduous studying to understand a multitude of challenging concepts and memorize countless anatomical, physiological, and pathological details. Moreover, I also appreciated that the clinical training and the practice of medicine would often be mentally and physically taxing.

However, I knew that I wanted to become a doctor because I was fascinated by the complexities of the human body and wanted to learn as much about it as possible. I also wanted to help people. I wanted to use my knowledge to help heal the sick and ease their suffering. It was the perfect combination for me, and I was in love with these ideas. It was who I was. It was my identity.

These were my reasons for wanting to endure the requirements that this journey would require. They were my “why,” and they were powerful. My “why” propelled me through the rigors of medical school, residency training, and finally, years as an attending physician. If I had not had a compelling “why,” there would have been no reason for me to take the first step. And if I did decide to move forward without a strong “why,” I would have quit years ago.

This advice is not only for aspiring physicians. For any considerable task you wish to undertake or substantial goal you desire to achieve, you must have a compelling reason to do so. Before moving forward, always ask yourself, “Why?”

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Embrace your best self:

Discovering Motivation Through My Dog Rocky

My dogs have taught me many lessons over the years, including patience, living in the moment, seizing the day, and forgiveness. More recently, my yellow labrador Rocky has reinforced a lesson I learned many years ago.

Rocky is ten years old, and lately, he hadn’t seemed to want to put much effort into running around the yard. If I were to compare him to a horse, I would say that Rocky had not done much more than a trot for a while. A few months ago, my wife purchased some toy doggie balls for our canine crew (there’s Rocky plus three others) to play with in the yard.

We always knew that Rocky loved balls. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see just how much he loves chasing them. When I throw that ball, Rocky is not trotting after it. He breaks out into a near-gallop. If I have two balls, he’ll drop one so that I can throw the other—and then he sprints after that. He will do this repeatedly until he finally needs a rest.

Many years ago, I learned that your “why”—your reason for doing something—has to be powerful enough to motivate you to get the task done. If your “why” is not compelling enough, there’s a good chance you will lose momentum and fail to accomplish your goal. Rocky demonstrated this beautifully. Until recently, he had done nothing more than a trot. However, when presented with his “why”—a ball—he suddenly had a reason to move fast. He had found his motivation. Our Rocky is now a sprinter, and he loves it.

When deciding on goals for yourself, choose those with a powerful “why,” and you will find yourself overcoming obstacles and sprinting towards their achievement.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Feel free to leave comments and share.

If 36 Trillion Individuals Can Do It…

Thirty-six trillion. That’s the number of cells in your body—give or take a trillion. Thirty-six trillion individuals, all with specific jobs and functions, all working together and collaborating in the service of the whole. The whole, of course, being you.

If these thirty-six trillion individuals are able to cooperate and work together effectively, you get to enjoy good health. However, if some cells decide to go off on their own and take, take, and take, you have a cancer, which, if left untreated, will likely destroy your health and end your life.

A few weeks ago, I had an epiphany. I realized that our body and its thirty-six trillion cells are a microcosm of our planet and its people. If people cooperate and work in service of each other and the whole, then neighborhoods, communities, cities, states, countries, and the entire planet will enjoy peace and good health.

But if this doesn’t occur…well, you already know what happens when this is the case.

So, if thirty-six trillion individuals can collaborate with each other, then perhaps eight billion individuals can do it as well.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Please feel free to comment and share.

It’s Time to Fix the Hole in the Wall

Okay, that tiny hole in the wall your dog made has needed a patch for several weeks. You’ve been meaning to look in the toilet tank for a while because you always have to jiggle the handle to get it to stop running. You have a project at work whose deadline is fast approaching, yet you’ve not typed a single word.

If this is the case, then yes, you have been procrastinating. But don’t worry—you’re not alone. So many of us put things off for long periods of time. I find myself doing this often, and I realize that this is not the best practice and certainly not conducive to productivity. Is there any fix to this problem?

Yes, there is. I’ve found it to be a quick and straightforward fix. However, it does require a bit of effort. The biggest delay for me in getting a task done is the act of getting started. I can stare at that hole in my wall (courtesy of my dog) for weeks or even months, and it won’t change a bit. It turns out that, for me, the rate-limiting step is just breaking free from my inertia regarding the task and starting to work on it. Before beginning, it seems like it will take a great deal of toiling to get it done, leading to my procrastination. However, it becomes much more manageable once I have decided to begin and have committed to it. My inertia quickly gives way to increasing momentum; I get “into the zone,” and voilà—the task is done!

I can get stuck on anything, from fixing things around the house to writing a blog post. While thinking about these uncompleted tasks, they seem so difficult. It turns out that all I need to do is commit and say, “Okay, I’m going to get started on this right now.” Everything is much simpler once I make this declaration and act on it. Please don’t misunderstand; I may very well encounter obstacles and challenges along the way. But since I’ve got momentum on my side, I just go with the flow and am able to work through whatever hurdles I face.

So, look at that hole in the wall and declare to yourself that today is the day you are going to repair it. Then, drive to your neighborhood hardware store and get moving. You will feel so much better for it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope that you’ve enjoyed it and found it enlightening. Please feel free to share it.

Have You Ever Had Toddler brain?

Have you ever heard the same information from two completely different sources on the same day? This has happened to me several times, and whenever I experience such events, I know that specific knowledge is indispensable. Case in point: in the not-too-distant past, I learned the same concept from two unrelated sources on the same day. After hearing it the second time, I knew that it was something that needed to be shared.

It was regarding something that was referred to as toddler brain, and it was explained in the following manner. When stressed, preoccupied, or overtaxed, you tend to make more impulsive decisions. For instance, let’s assume you are having quite a hectic day at work. When your lunch break finally arrives, and you head down to the cafeteria, you may be presented with both healthy and unhealthy options—perhaps a cheeseburger and a black bean burger. Given your overstressed state of mind, you will probably choose the cheeseburger, even though you know it is not best for you.

A scientific study was even done examining this idea. The participants in this study were divided into two groups. One group was given a seven-digit number to remember, and the other group was given a two-digit number to remember. The participants were then asked to walk down a hallway, and along the way, they were offered a snack—either a piece of cake or some fruit. Researchers observed that the people in the seven-digit group chose the cake more often, whereas people in the two-digit group chose the fruit more often. They concluded that the extra mental stress from trying to remember a seven-digit number led to poorer decisions.

Since we are all faced with stress each day, what can we do to combat this phenomenon of poor decision-making? I have two suggestions. First, pack your lunch at home the night before work. You will presumably be less stressed and also have more time to consider your options. Second, realizing that life in general can often be filled with stressful circumstances, please appreciate the fact that you are allowed to take a step back and give yourself a moment. Take a few deep, relaxing breaths and recalibrate yourself into a more tranquil state. You will be directing a kind act towards yourself. The bonus here is that your more serene state of mind will be felt by and impactful to those around you as well.

Since we’re all grown-ups, let’s try not to act like toddlers.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it helpful. Please feel free to leave comments and to share it. Until next time—be well.

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Explore and Feel the Pride

You’ve done it! You’ve decided to undertake a new physical activity. Perhaps it’s an endurance activity like running, cycling, or swimming. Or maybe it’s an activity that requires more strength and balance, such as weight training or yoga. Maybe it is not even a physical activity. Let’s say you’ve committed to an academic pursuit, such as a course through a school or university or even a self-education venture. How about a project at home or work?

Whatever it is that you have decided to tackle, you will derive significant benefits from it. First, there is the joy of the activity itself. This is especially true when you begin to get into a state of flow, also referred to as “getting in the zone.” You know what I’m talking about, right? What an incredible feeling! Physical activities have their own set of remarkable bonuses. We are likely all familiar with the “runner’s high” that occurs due to the release of the body’s endorphins. These feel-good chemicals produced by our own bodies during exercise bind to the same brain receptors that opioids do. However, unlike pharmaceutical opioids, these will create a positive state of mind without the potential for dangerous side effects. In addition, exercise often gives your muscles that awesome feeling of being “pumped.”

Another benefit of beginning a new venture is a sense of accomplishment and pride when you’ve completed all or even part of it. And finally, there is the discovery, learning, and growth that goes along with new pursuits. I personally find this aspect exceptionally rewarding. I thoroughly enjoy reading non-fiction books because discovering new ideas exhilarates me. Last year, I attended an emergency medicine conference on airway management. I acquired a great deal of knowledge and had the opportunity to sharpen my skills and learn a few new ones. I experienced a wonderful feeling of satisfaction on my drive back home.

I encourage not only physical activities but also exploring and expanding your horizons so that you may learn new things and experience personal growth. Have you been thinking about beginning a new form of exercise or committing to a project or academic course? Kudos to you! Move forward with it and reap the many rewards.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it informative. Please feel free to pass it on. Until next time…be well.

Photo Credit: Jarod Lovekamp/pexels.com

Search For the Fun Stuff

Do what’s fun! Regarding food and exercise, eat the foods and participate in the activities you enjoy—those things that excite you and leave you feeling fantastic. This was the main idea in my last post.

However, it’s not always easy to find the foods that make your mouth water and the types of exercise that resonate with you. Sometimes, it takes a little work, along with trial and error. There are likely many healthy foods and varieties of physical training out there that you find dull, boring, or just plain dislike, and that’s okay.

I’d like you to understand, though, that it can sometimes take several exposures to a food or activity before you begin to enjoy it. Yes, it is possible to dislike something initially but then grow to appreciate it over time. Moreover, I’ve read that it can take eight to twelve exposures to a new food before you begin to savor it. A few tips: trying new foods as part of recipes can create a more pleasurable experience. Additionally, engaging in physical activities with friends can make them much more gratifying.

What happens if you have tried something many times and still dislike it? Well, that’s okay. Continue to be flexible and try something else. There are countless options for healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds) and so many different forms of exercise that you can try. I encourage you to explore and experiment until you find the right things for you.

When I began my journey into healthier living, I started adding broccoli and peppers to my diet. At first, I was not a big fan and didn’t really care for their taste. However, I knew they were good for me, so I gave them a chance. I persisted in eating them once or twice a week and soon found that I was genuinely enjoying them. Now, all these years later, I am still eating and savoring these vegetables.

So, as I mentioned above, explore and experiment with the innumerable choices available until you find those that are perfect for you. And when you do, go out there and relish them!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found it informative. Please feel free to pass it on to anyone you feel might benefit.

Photo Credit: Michail_Petrov-96/istockphoto.com

The Healthy Stuff is Not Only Good For You…It’s FUN!

“Eat your veggies because they’re good for you.”

This statement has probably been heard repeatedly by children of all ages as their parents firmly encourage them to clean their dinner plates.

Anyone who reads my blogs consistently also knows that I speak a lot about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. It’s an essential truth—fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest foods we can eat. I’ve also written a lot about the importance of regular physical activity. However, I read an article recently that has prompted me to realize that a shift in my perspective would be beneficial when discussing such matters.

The article “Can Exercising and Eating Healthy Be Fun and Indulgent Instead of Boring and Depriving? Targeting Mindsets About the Process of Engaging in Healthy Behaviors” discusses a few studies on mindset. One of the studies focused on food and had two groups of adolescent participants. Each group was enrolled in a different class on food. One group was told of the incredible health benefits of eating wholesome foods, and the other group was told about the social benefits of sharing good foods as well as the pleasurable flavors that good foods can have. In other words, they emphasized that healthy foods are fun to eat. When the food choices were analyzed, the “food is fun” group chose healthy foods more often than the “food is healthy” group.

The article also looked at a similar study on exercise. Again, the study divided participants into two groups. One group had the fantastic health benefits of exercise explained to them in a short presentation along with a handout, and the other group was given a presentation and handout informing them of how enjoyable and relaxing exercise can be. As with the study on food, the “exercise is fun” group chose to exercise more than the “exercise is healthy” group.

This enlightening article presented a key concept that should not be overlooked. Mindset is essential in all things, especially when making choices pertaining to lifestyle—what we choose to eat and how much physical activity we give ourselves. Suppose we see healthy foods as bursting with flavor rather than just being good for us. In that case, we will be more likely to eat them. By the same token, if we perceive exercise as making us feel fantastic instead of just something that should be done to improve health, then we will be more likely to do more of it.

I eat healthy foods because I love the way they taste, and I exercise because I love the way it makes me feel. The fact that these activities are good for my body is a huge benefit.

Mindset is key. Change your mindset about your habits, and your habits will change.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you have enjoyed it and found it informative. Please feel free to share it with anyone who might benefit from it.

photo credit: Alexander Drummer/pexels.com

Does an Occasional Inconsistency Really Matter?

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We often behave based on incentives and anticipated consequences. If a specific behavior will have a positive effect, we will likely move forward with it. Conversely, if an action is expected to have negative ramifications, we will most likely refrain from it. In my last post, I discussed immediate and delayed consequences, noting that our actions will often be based on immediate rather than delayed consequences. For instance, if a person is presented with the opportunity to experiment with a recreational drug, he may only consider the here-and-now pleasant experience rather than the possibility of lifelong addiction.

I would like to provide two points of clarification. Within reason, it is what you do most of the time that counts. Doing something once or twice will not have a major impact on your life. I qualified this by stating “within reason” because many times, performing reckless behavior, even once or twice, can create catastrophic, lifelong repercussions. In addition to the recreational substance example, deciding to drive while intoxicated only once can produce irreparable damage for your entire life.

However, aside from careless behaviors, it is what you do most of the time that counts. Just as eating a single cheeseburger is not going to give you a heart attack, eating a single serving of veggies is not going to turn you into the picture of health. Conversely, eat cheeseburgers regularly, and you will likely see your health decline. Eat vegetables consistently, and you will likely enjoy good health.

The second point of clarification is somewhat in opposition to the first point. Whereas it is true that a single act will not have major consequences on your health, it may have significant effects on your mind. There is a school of thought that believes the occasional indulgence will set you back mentally and emotionally. Suppose you have been eating healthy for a while and decide to reward yourself with that one cheeseburger. This will certainly have no ill effects on your health. However, you may savor its flavors so much that you decide to have another one tomorrow and perhaps again next week. If you have refrained from smoking for many months and then experience a stressful situation and choose to smoke a single cigarette to “help calm down,” this will have no adverse health impacts. However, you might have enjoyed this small indulgence so much that you decide to come back for more. Again, although no immediate health impacts, there may be instantaneous mental effects, which can result in the restoration of the bad habit that you worked so hard to abolish.

Although consistency matters the most, sometimes, seemingly minor inconsistencies can have significant negative impacts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you have enjoyed it and found it informative. Please feel free to share it with anyone who may benefit from it.