Within the past few days, two of my friends and colleagues shared with me, at some length, their experience with severe depression. They both said they feel vulnerable without their usual bubbly outgoing persona. Yet to me, these conversations felt much more honest, and yes comfortable, than our previous exchanges. Pretense gets in the way of authentic connection.
Clara Hughes interview by George Stroumboulopoulos
At a recent meeting with a group of physicians, a senior specialist openly shared with us his experience with depression and how this experience had given him an entirely new perspective - a much kinder, more human view and approach to himself and others. Another senior physician spoke about his recent heart surgery, and the profoundly positive impact that has had on his personal and professional life.
When we accept our own humanity, then share it with select colleagues and patients, it's a huge gift - it gives all of us permission to be human too.
"There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen "Anthem"
Leonard Cohen singing "Anthem" live in London 2009
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so difficult for we healers to share our humanity and vulnerability with each other? To me, this speaks of the strength of the person sharing of him or her self.
"The world breaks everyone. And afterward some are strong in the broken places." Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
Tracy
I suspect the problem, Tracy, is fundamentally one of being afraid to look within ourselves - or perhaps looking briefly and being quickly scared off further exploration. We're explorers and fixers of the external world, and tend to be inexperienced and thus afraid of our inner world - most of us likely don't have much to to say about it.
DeleteLesser's book "Broken Open" should be mandatory reading for health-care professionals.
Thank you for your insightful comments Tracy!
John