Freedom August 21, 2007
Posted by kmody in Uncategorized.trackback
Freedom.
That word has been thrown around alot in recent years, being that we are locked in a more visible war of people who think they are good vs people who think they are better. Good vs Evil. Right vs Wrong. Future vs Past. When others speak of freedom they are often referring to their interpretation of the “freedom” of which our famous forefathers…our founding fathers…spoke of in the Constitution. Of course, it’s their interpretation and opinion plays a big part, although I might add that there are certain agreed upon tenets underlying the word’s definition.
So what do I think of this word? Since finishing my ABIM certification exam yesterday…I think of the word in more practical terms. Time to live life like a real person again. Time to be able to read something I enjoy and not feel guilty. Time to be able to take care of my own body for once, more than caring for the body of someone else. Time to be able to pursue my passions more – my new one? – photography. Don’t get me wrong….I do love what I do as a physician. I do enjoy caring for others. But I feel as if I have often neglected my self much more than I should have over the past few years…in the name of my pursuit of knowledge and attaining my goals. And while I still have more goals to conquer…there is time. Time for me..and those around me.
THAT is freedom.
It’s always a challenge to balance “service to others” and “service to self”. My feeling is that if “service to self” creates higher self-esteem, then that in turn leads to more and better service to others. You have to feel good about yourself first to be of great service to others.
I am so glad that you are now spending more time on some of the things you have not had time to “attend” to. Bottom line…love yourself and love others!