When reality intrudes

     Perspective is huge. We're used to looking at patients with objectivity - from a distance. Often it can feel like we're in a helicopter hovering over a capsized boat with a man flaling away, drowning in the water below. We know that yelling out swimming instructions now are useless, and probably irritating as well.
     Sooner or later, it's our turn in the water, with others above in the chopper. Have we learned how to swim? Can we swim gracefully?
     How much time and effort do we expend to keep our mind off the inevitability of ourselves being in the water? Maybe we need to intentionally learn from graceful swimmers? Elisabeth Lesser has been studying these folks for many years - her book is excellent: “Broken open. How difficult times can help us grow.” Villard, NY, 2005.