An Update: Poems, Articles, & Interviews ... Sprinkled with Hope!

Goodness! So much has happened since I last posted here. This is my original blog, and it's so close to my heart. This is where I first tested my wings in the skies of blogging, and where I began to experience it's not only okay to be vulnerable, but it is also good, healing, redemptive, and necessary for our growth as human beings ... with boundaries, of course! 

I know many of you know I now also have a website and a blog for physicians there. Since my fourth book, Recapturing Joy in Medicine, published last year, I've continued to speak to medical and non-medical groups, and it's been such an enriching journey! It's been heartwarming to know that several state medical boards have read the book together, and it's also being used in medical schools and residency programs. So special! 

I've also been invited to a law school, college campuses, churches, retreat centers, and many local, state, and medical conferences and events to share a message of empowerment and hope that applies not only to medical professionals but to all of us pursuing a life of greater meaning and purpose! 

This is a timely message, indeed, during a lingering pandemic! Although it has been difficult for all of us, this challenging time has also brought opportunities for us to connect with what's most important, reassess our choices, and begin to craft something new as needed ... as we feel called. Times of suffering can spark inner growth and reignite a sense of purpose, faith, and hope, and it helps to be intentional. To this end, I continue to spread a message of hope that includes practical ways to stay inspired, engaged, and healthy!

So I've been serving in various ways throughout the pandemic, including presentations (now mostly virtually) at the state and national level (see more under the Events tab). It's been deeply meaningful and rewarding, as always ... and it's time for an update here! Below are links to some of my recent interviews, speaking engagements, articles, and more.

I'm leading a virtual book study for women physicians; let me know HERE if you's like to join us! And let me know HERE if you'd like to join a co-ed virtual group for physicians starting in the fall.

Surprised by a Song: Gifts from a Study with Women Physicians

A link to my latest peer-reviewed article ("Burnout" in the Workplace: Strategies, Omissions, and Lessons from Wounded Healers) is below, along with links to some of my recent interviews.

Humanizing our World: Articles, Interviews, and More

Below is a link to my recent interview with the international organization, Physicians Working Together. I'm honored to be an advisory board member for PWT. The interview includes some of my story from medical school with an encouraging message and reminders for med students and young physicians.

Real Lives of Physicians in Training ... and in the Pandemic

For me, the pandemic began in the Florida Capitol back in March! I was serving there as Doctor of the Day the week COVID-19 became a reality in the Sunshine State. I'm so grateful for every opportunity to contribute my voice and heart as a human being and physician at the highest levels of government and organized medicine. My purpose remains to ensure the underserved/minority groups and all people are able to receive the best care possible. It's more important than ever to speak courageously to educate our communities, our legislators, and our nation!

A Special Honor at the Capitol: Preparing for COVID-19

Below is my pandemic poem and encouragement for all of us, and one more recent interview below that!

Recapturing Joy During a Pandemic: A Few Thoughts and a Poem

Where our Power Lies: An Interview

As the pandemic lingers, turn up the volume on encouragement and hope, and turn everything else down ... or off! Stay encouraged. Stay connected. This, too, shall pass.

Joyfully,

Dr. Mari

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.

Psalm 39:7

New Year Blessings!

As a new year approaches, I love to look back and recall the blessings of the previous year to welcome the next year with a grateful heart. So here is my summary of some of the many blessings 2019 brought as I look ahead to 2020: Counting Blessings Toward a Happy New Year!

May 2020 be filled with purpose, meaning, and joy as we all let go of the past, learn from its many lessons, and embrace the new.

Have a blessed and healthy New Year!

Gratefully,
Dr. Mari

Purpose: An Antidote to Burnout

This week, I had another one of those conversations where I can no longer remain silent. A friend began to criticize a doctor, selling me the popular line that all his doctor cares about is money. I never used to feel a need to speak up for my colleagues, but I do now. With all the challenges and obstacles we face in healthcare, somebody needs to speak up for us — so why not me!

I just read a terrific article addressing the epidemic (my term) of physician burnout and our need of resiliency training. As I read, I wondered, How many professions out there talk about needing to train in resiliency? Next time you see a doctor, try not to think about this: "One-third to one-half of physicians meet burnout criteria, leading to very real suffering among physicians and their families." That is a huge number of caregivers helping others while running on empty, discouraged and unfulfilled. To me, this is not only an epidemic — it reflects a crisis in our profession that's affecting society as a whole.

Our task as physicians is extremely difficult; sometimes it seems impossible. We must be caring, compassionate, efficient, thorough, patient, engaging, knowledgeable, up-to-date, skillful, and able to diagnose, encourage, empower, inspire, treat, keep good records, and more ... all in half the time the typical sitcom lasts. It's tiring just thinking about what we're expected to do each day, especially when you consider other factors that affect what we do, such as patient denial, fear, anger, distrust, substance abuse, and personality disorders. In some ways, it's surprising that the rate of burnout isn't even higher!

The authors speak of a resiliency triad that helps strengthen those in the caring fields. This triad involves developing greater insight and a commitment to one's values and to a healthy lifestyle (sleep, nutrition, activity level, among others). I agree that these are all essential and sometimes lacking among my peers but, very often, it's because of the challenges built into our personalities, our profession, and the culture in which we practice. In the culture of medicine, rest is equated with laziness and a commitment to balance is often looked down upon by the overachieving, perfectionist personality that prevails.

The gifts we bring to our profession often become our greatest liability.

Yet, I agree that there is much we can do to help ourselves and care for people with compassion. Although at times what we must do seems impossible, we really can do it, but we must also have the courage to change ourselves and our environment when needed.

The privilege to care for others must be balanced with our need to care for ourselves and our families. I have also found that, as I align my practice of medicine with my values and who I am, I have much more joy, I am much more effective, and those I care for leave encouraged, inspired, and even empowered to live according to their own. This return to congruence has had more impact on my satisfaction and joy as a doctor than anything else I've done. It's helped me grow as an individual, and it's made me more compassionate.

Aligning what we do and how we help others with our values means we have the courage to be ourselves: broken, human, and vulnerable. This inner change impacts not only ourselves but our staff and our patients. This commitment to stop pretending we're perfect, this paradigm shift to be fully ourselves while caring for others begins to transform the culture in which we practice.

I believe questions like, Who am I? and Why am I here? have the power to transform our day-to-day lives. In every profession, we must find that spark that helps us do what we must do with joy. Finding our purpose and living it out — becoming who we were created to be — is a source of contentment that also increases our effectiveness. It's a win-win!

So what can we start doing to achieve that today? And tomorrow. And the next day....

I invite you to have the courage to be yourself. 

Joyfully,
Dr Mari

Learn more about my journey to greater wholeness in my book, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare.

Quote from Physician Resilience and Burnout: Can You Make the Switch? Family Practice Management, Jan-Feb 2013.

Hope is Alive at Give Kids the World

Last night, I had the awesome privilege of spending a few hours at one of my favorite places here in Central Florida: Give Kids the World. Having survived the horror of the Holocaust, a man named Henri Landwirth founded this magical place to bless families from all over the world. The resort-like village offers Make-A-Wish-Foundation families a cost-free week away from the stress and chaos of constant medical appointments and exhausting treatments. They exist to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families "for as long as there is a need."

"Over 115,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids The World. No child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will. Give Kids The World is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories."

This weekend, my teenager and I volunteered at the Park of Dreams pool area. David assisted the photographer capture precious memories of young princesses and pirates while I handed out towels, let people in and out, and served the families in various ways. There are always special moments, like when we both spotted a young dad swinging his little girl to Enchanted's That's How You Know, her red dress flowing like petals embracing the light.

The pirate party by the pool was a hit, as it is every Friday night. During the week-long stay, each family experiences Christmas on Thursday, the Mayor's birthday party, princess parades, pirate and tea parties, pony rides, free movies at Julie's Safari Theater, and much more. They also receive free admission to the Disney parks, Universal Studios, Sea World, and others. Can you even believe a place like this exists? The goal is to shower the kids and their families with kindness, goodness, and love. The village is a bit of heaven on earth.

Julie's Safari Theater at Give Kids the World

I am so thankful that God spared Henri's life. Although he could have grown bitter and cold having witnessed and experienced such cruelty, Henri chose to love instead. The village he founded is, to me, a story of redemption, courage, and love. His spirit, his kindness and compassion make me want to reach out to others and say, How can I give you the best of this world today?

Henri had a choice to make, and he chose the path of healing and blessing. Today, regardless of the losses we've faced and the heartbreak we may have experienced, we can choose love, forgiveness, and grace. We can choose to bless.

We can choose to give each other the best of this world and, in so doing, we will change the world.

Hope lives!
Dr Mari

My Mission Statement: To Shine!

Below is my mission statement; 

I borrowed it from Salvador's song, Shine. 

I will continue to pursue it daily with everything I have.

When I remember my calling and when I don't.
When it matters and when it, seemingly, doesn't.
When doing so brings accolades while attracting critics and judges.
When I feel like it, and when I don't.

I want to shine.

"Lord, let me shine

Shine like the moon

A reflection of You

All that I do

Lord, let me be

A light for Your truth

Light of the world

I want to be used

To shine for You."

I want to shine ... for Him!

All light is borrowed.
He shines through us.

We shine for Him.

Shine!

Dr Mari

* Photo by Manuel Díaz Photography. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. 

For a link to Salvador's song, Shine, read On the Edge of What's Next.

Purposeful Living: Becoming Who We Really Are

A beautiful friend recently sent me this e.e. cummings' quote and remarked, "I read this and thought of you. You are doing it!" Her thoughtful note put a smile on my face and made me glad - because she's right! Plus, she quoted my favorite poet - a fun bonus!

Every day, I become a bit more the person that God created me to be, and the journey has filled my life with a sense of adventure, purpose, and joy.

Some years ago I resolved to start using all the gifts God gave me and to give them back to Him as an offering. Since then, God continues to bless me with open doors to speak, write, and spread hope beyond the exam rooms where I care for patients. It's been an exciting time of rediscovering my gifts and trusting God to continue to develop them as I exercise them.

One of the pivotal experiences in this journey of growth involved meeting Mary, the gifted ex-Disney executive who became my coach. She helped me to focus my energy and define my purpose and goals, which shifted my life in a new and exciting direction. She did not ask me to write this but, if you are in need of coaching and inspiration, whether in your personal life or in your business, consider contacting her. The process of discovery she walks you through can be life-changing.*

I encourage you to look at your life and ask yourself, what do I want? What is the purpose of my life? Where are my choices taking me? As we commit to living a life of purpose and make the changes needed to achieve it, new doors open, and we begin to live abundant lives that make a difference. And that is a great way to live!

Joyfully,
Dr Mari

* I now serve as a coach for physicians, a rewarding and unexpected new calling that evolved as a result of my coaching journey. *

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Physician: Heal Yourself!

I recently saw an ad for one of the medical VIP services that read,

“Healing Others Shouldn't be Killing You.”

A “choking” visual created by a stethoscope looped around itself pulled me in, triggering flashbacks of my career as a physician. I remembered practicing as an Air Force officer with competing authorities - the military rank system and the medical hierarchy – which proved impossible to reconcile at times! During my second year in that challenging job, I fell on my knees one night and prayed, “Lord, I need You. If You are real, please reveal Yourself to me!”

He did, and my life has never been the same again.

When I gave my heart to Christ, He began to transform it, changing me as a mother, as a wife, and as a doctor. God is faithful to answer our prayers to know Him. And when we give Him our brokenness, He gives us life; what an exchange!

As I picture the loops around the choking stethoscope, I recognize that many physicians and caregivers feel like this right now. Squeezed in from every direction. Stretched to the max. Spent. And they feel this way right as they head for the door to see their next patient.

In a recent study of 1,195 physicians from various specialties, “nearly one-third of physicians responding to the survey indicated that they will want to leave medical practice after health reform is implemented.” One out of every three! I know of an office that recently lost three doctors in less than nine months. They all left for the same reasons. They had no joy in their work, little control over their days, and felt that they couldn't provide excellent care with the time constraints and other obstacles they face daily. In medicine, less is rarely more.

We need well-trained, compassionate team members as well as adequate resources and time to care for people with significant problems. The right fit is hard to find, and many never find it. For me, finding the right fit meant that I had to change, too, and learn to think outside the box. I chose to start working as an independent contractor, which has afforded me the flexibility to pursue God's call on my life as a pastor's wife, mother, author, speaker, and doctor. Joy has returned to my work, and I see myself as a servant in healthcare. 

Although the changes in my professional life have been life-giving, they came at a price. I've had to embrace a non-traditional model that others may not choose for themselves. Yet, in Galatians 1:10, Paul challenges our perspective and reminds us to consider our motives. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?... If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

These days, my joy and peace come from knowing that my choices are pleasing to God, and that is all I need.

No, helping others shouldn't be killing us. That is not God's will for His servants. Healing others is, in fact, life-giving when we do it with Jesus and to please God. I think many of us do it for Jesus but not necessarily with Him. This gap can be bridged through daily, intentional choices involving prayer, meditating on God's Word, adoring Him in worship, and through meaningful conversations with colleagues about the Lord and what He's doing in our personal and professional lives. The closer we walk with Him, the more He works through us, and He is a God of healing.

Are you working for Jesus on your own? There is a better way! Organizations like the Christian Community Health Fellowship can come alongside you as you work for the Lord in healthcare. If in doubt, ask yourself, is this God's will for my life, for my family, and for my patients? Ask Him to help you discern and prioritize your days around His agenda for your life, and resolve to make every necessary change – with His help – to remain aligned with His perfect will.

Joyfully,

Dr Mari 

Contentment: Good For the Soul and Evidence of Trust

Last night I was blessed to hear a fantastic talk about contentment by a dear friend, mentor, and sister in Christ. Mary Tomlinson, speaker, consultant, and president of On-Purpose Partners, reminded us of five pillars of contentment*:

(1) Devoting time with family and friends
(2) Appreciating what we have
(3) Cultivating optimism
(4) Feeling a sense of purpose
(5) Living in the moment

She reminded us that abundant living is about relationships rather than things or accomplishments. She encouraged us to practice gratitude daily, learning to count our blessings rather than our struggles. And she shared that we will grow in contentment as we learn to trust God.

Here are a few verses on contentment that are worth pondering:

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Written by the apostle Paul from prison, Philippians 4:12,13)

If Paul learned to be content whether he was free or behind bars, there is hope for all of us! If we derive all strength from our fragile souls, we are doomed. But if we seek and rely on God as our rock, we will discover His sufficiency, sovereignty, and faithfulness. His love endures forever. As we know God more, we learn that we can trust Him, and we experience a peace that helps us stand in overwhelming circumstances.

As we learn to trust our Creator we discover the joy of contentment. Although we may not have arrived there fully, once we experience this exchange, the relationship helps us to trust again during the next challenge.

May we all learn, like Paul, to trust God in every circumstance and live for Him.

Trusting Him and, thus, content,
Dr Mari

For more ways to grow in contentment, read Living in the Moment. To find out more about Mary Tomlinson and her work to help individuals and organizations identify and pursue their purpose, visit www.onpurposebusiness.com/marytomlinson.

* From the Mayo Clinic's How to be Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment.

Advent Word of the Day: Devotion

Look closely; that baby bear is smiling!

"'I will bring him near and he will come close to Me, 

for who is he who will 

devote himself 

to be close to Me?’ 

declares the LORD." 

Jeremiah 30:21 (emphasis added)

According to The American Heritage Dictionary, the word "devote" means to "give or apply (one's time, attention, or self) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person." Advent, the four weeks leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth, is a wonderful time to ask ourselves, What are we devoted to? What occupies our time, our mental and physical energy, and our resources? What is it that we worship?

What is first in our lives? 

This Advent, we can decide to change the course of our lives by the choices we make. And a wonderful place to start this process is prayer. A simple, heartfelt prayer on my knees changed the course of my life twelve years ago. During a time of desperate need, I asked God to reveal Himself, and He did, and I've drawn close to Him ever since.

When God is the center of our lives, everything else begins to be lined up, returning to its proper place - submitted unto the Lord and His ways. Matthew 6:33 explains it like this, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." God knows our needs, and our deepest need is to know, serve, and follow Him. When we do that, life begins.

This Advent, may we devote ourselves to being close to the One who created us, loves us, and longs for us to know Him more.

His!

Dr Mari

For more Advent exhortations, read The Light of the World and The Joy of the Lord.


* Photo from thundafunda.info.

Unloaded Lives are Powerful: Restoring a Margin of Sanity (Part II)

Are you frazzled, going from one commitment to another, continually in a rush, never fully processing one important event before the next one comes? If so, it is time to build a margin of sanity around your life! Judging from how many of you read my post Overloaded Lives are Powerless Lives, this topic has struck a cord. Last week I shared about the syndrome of overload; today I share some of what we can do about it. This comes from Dr Richard Swenson's book, Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives.

Here are some practical things we can begin to do today to recover the gift of time.

• Expect the Unexpected. "Everything takes longer than it does," says a proverb in Ecuador. Build in some extra time each day to handle the unexpected.
• Learn to Say No. And I would add, and "to feel good about it," for this is frequently a step toward greater health. Say No and move on, feeling good about your choice. But, beware. "Saying No is not an excuse for selfishness, rudeness or insensitivity. Instead, it is an invitation to listen carefully to the Spirit's voice, adhering closely to a system of wise priorities that inform our Yes and our No."
• Turn off the TV! For the average adult, saying no to the TV will open up "twenty to thirty hours a week... Americans watch close to a billion hours of television every day. What did we do with this time before television was invented? Is it possible we lingered at the dinner table, helped the kids with homework, visited with the neighbors, dug in the garden, read great books, took long walks, and slept full nights?"
• Prune the Activity Branches. Less can be more when it comes to cluttered schedules! And beware of directing your kids into over-scheduled lives by signing them up for everything under the sun. Is there something you can cut out from your weekly schedule that will open up another night to get to know your family again?
• Practice Simplicity and Contentment. Less focus, energy, and time spent on things means more time for meaningful pursuits and relationships. Stop here a moment and reflect on what you're most focused on, what takes up your time and energy? There's much room for positive change here!
• Separate Time from Technology. "Time-saving technologies... consume compress, and devour time. All the countries with the most time-saving technologies are the most stressed-out... Try disconnecting from clocks, watches, alarms, beepers, telephones, and e-mail for a day, a weekend or a week... Don't answer the telephone. Stop giving people the number to your cell phone and instead use it to make calls rather than receive calls." Remember the man in Mali, West Africa who said to Dr Swenson, "You Americans have all the watches, but we have all the time."
• Short-Term Flurry Versus Long-Term Vision. What are we living for? Do we have a sense of direction and a vision for our lives? Have we sought God's vision for us? This is critical!
• Thank God. Perhaps God orchestrated two events for you in one night so that you can comfortably say No to the one you're not thrilled about. Rather than fretting over it, thank God!

Enjoy Nature today; it's free!

These are just a few things we can start doing to regain some sanity in our schedules. I will share a few more later this week. Until then, I hope you're becoming more committed to protecting the precious gift of time and using it wisely. You and your loved ones will be glad you did!

Be free!
Dr Mari

Visit Overloaded Lives are Powerless Lives: It's Time for a Change! for Part I and More Ways to Unload Your Life for Part III of this series based on Dr Richard Swenson's book, Margin.