“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are taught from an early age to avoid comparing ourselves to others.  Then, we are sent off to school, where we are ranked, compared, and pitted a...

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
–George Bernard Shaw

Who Needs A Reinvention?

Everyone.

Reinvention gets a bad rap. People hear the word and think it sounds woo. Or, they believe it means scrapping everything and starting over, like tor...

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”
–Sydney J. Harris 

During a recent conversation with my physician coach, I found myself reflecting on my favorite part of our family vacation to the Caribbean. We snorkeled, swam with turtles, rented jet skis, held starfish, and...

“Change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

–Roy T. Bennett, The Light In The Heart

Before physician coaching, I did not believe that I had the capacity for change.  I would dare say that I had a relatively dismal opinion of anyone’s ability to change.  Of course, we all have the p...

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
– Anne Lamott

While coaching a physician, we started talking about his upcoming vacation.  He and his wife had planned a two-week South Pacific trip, which sounded incredible.  As he spoke about his break, he t...

“Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.”
―Ruth E. Renkel

It is incredible to look back at your life and recognize the critical moments that led you to become the unique human being you are today.  Many people, places, and things needed to come together ...

“The word ‘should’ is an enemy of growth and a thief of joy.”
―Kevin Ngo 

The first time I heard the phrase “shoulding all over yourself,” I laughed.  As a gastroenterologist, I have a particular affinity for poop jokes.  It might not be obvious when you read the phrase, but say it out l...

“We’re afraid that the feeling of joy won’t last, or that the other shoe is going to drop. We think, ‘I’m feeling good, this can’t be right; something bad is going to happen.’” 

—Brené Brown

Foreboding Joy. I didn’t make it up. I had never even heard of foreboding joy until I read Dar...

“If you have integrity, nothing else matters. 

If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.”

–Harvey Mackay

Here’s something I never thought I’d say: I attended a conference for entrepreneurs. Over the years, I’ve been to countless medical conferences where the atmosphere is f...

“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” 

—Brené Brown

In her book, I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t), Brené Brown takes the time to distinguish the difference between guilt and shame.  Guilt is: “I did something bad.” Shame is: “I am bad.” The...

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” 

—Mark Black

In August 2022, I gave myself one job: Do nothing. My goal was to rest, rejuvenate and relax. I have spent so much of my life hustling and achieving that a much-needed rest was undoubtedly in order. And guess what happened? I ...

“Life does not change if you only modify the content,

your life will change if you will dare to alter the context.”

–Santosh Kalwar

Have you heard the commencement speech given by David Foster Wallace, called This Is Water? I hadn’t. It isn’t your typical commencement speech filled w...