Challenges and opportunities
A friend of mine shared her enthusiasm for the television series, Madame Secretary. Since I choose to not have access to television service, I had never seen the show. Recently, I signed up for a trial membership of Netflix which gives me access to movies and past television shows. I watched the first four episodes of Madam Secretary. The first thing I noticed was that the character who is asked to take the position of United States Secretary of State is not a career politician and seems to have no political ambitions or attachments to a title. Her work history includes being an employee of an intelligence agency and then a college professor. Her husband is also a college professor. The second thing I noticed about this character was that she and her husband have a strong, affectionate, mutually respectful relationship. They also have clear, strong core values, but are not attached to being right about how to approach particular issues. They know, for example, that often they are stumbling through the job of parenting – with help – just as the rest of us parents do.
Last night I got an email from my good friend who has also been my primary care doctor since 1985 or 1986. He is changing jobs which means that I will have to see someone else for my medical needs. We will, of course, retain our friendship. I know that the only reason he would change jobs is because he thinks he can do something which is going to help the wider community. He is not attached to making more money or having an important title. He is a very spiritually driven man.
I would be less than honest if I suggested that my only thought was to be happy for my friend. I am very happy for him. Yet, there is a part of me which selfishly is attached to working with this man as a partner in my medical care. I do not want to change. Yet, I will change and I will stay open to the relationship with the new physician who I see at the Veterans Administration Hospital.
Watching Madame Secretary and “observing” my reaction to having to change primary care doctors were opportunities to notice how I am doing with one of my primary spiritual goals – letting go of attachments.
I am happy to report that I am not where I used to be. On the other hand, there is much room for spiritual growth. I noticed I was able to:
· Both react and stand back and notice my reactions without judging myself.
· Appreciate the moral values which guide both the character of Madame Secretary and my friend who has been my primary care doctor for all these years.
· Affirm my belief that change always brings new opportunities.
· Remind myself that while I want to honor my feelings they do not always reflect my core values.
· Remain committed to growing spiritually. For me this always means an internal struggle which is often far from comfortable.
Letting go of attachments means that I let go of the belief that I can only be okay if X occurs. I could easily be attached to the belief that my health depends on seeing my friend. While I would prefer to keep the same doctor, I know I will adjust and be fine with the change. As is true for the character on Madame Secretary, the change is a new opportunity to grow.
Written October 30, 2017
A friend of mine shared her enthusiasm for the television series, Madame Secretary. Since I choose to not have access to television service, I had never seen the show. Recently, I signed up for a trial membership of Netflix which gives me access to movies and past television shows. I watched the first four episodes of Madam Secretary. The first thing I noticed was that the character who is asked to take the position of United States Secretary of State is not a career politician and seems to have no political ambitions or attachments to a title. Her work history includes being an employee of an intelligence agency and then a college professor. Her husband is also a college professor. The second thing I noticed about this character was that she and her husband have a strong, affectionate, mutually respectful relationship. They also have clear, strong core values, but are not attached to being right about how to approach particular issues. They know, for example, that often they are stumbling through the job of parenting – with help – just as the rest of us parents do.
Last night I got an email from my good friend who has also been my primary care doctor since 1985 or 1986. He is changing jobs which means that I will have to see someone else for my medical needs. We will, of course, retain our friendship. I know that the only reason he would change jobs is because he thinks he can do something which is going to help the wider community. He is not attached to making more money or having an important title. He is a very spiritually driven man.
I would be less than honest if I suggested that my only thought was to be happy for my friend. I am very happy for him. Yet, there is a part of me which selfishly is attached to working with this man as a partner in my medical care. I do not want to change. Yet, I will change and I will stay open to the relationship with the new physician who I see at the Veterans Administration Hospital.
Watching Madame Secretary and “observing” my reaction to having to change primary care doctors were opportunities to notice how I am doing with one of my primary spiritual goals – letting go of attachments.
I am happy to report that I am not where I used to be. On the other hand, there is much room for spiritual growth. I noticed I was able to:
· Both react and stand back and notice my reactions without judging myself.
· Appreciate the moral values which guide both the character of Madame Secretary and my friend who has been my primary care doctor for all these years.
· Affirm my belief that change always brings new opportunities.
· Remind myself that while I want to honor my feelings they do not always reflect my core values.
· Remain committed to growing spiritually. For me this always means an internal struggle which is often far from comfortable.
Letting go of attachments means that I let go of the belief that I can only be okay if X occurs. I could easily be attached to the belief that my health depends on seeing my friend. While I would prefer to keep the same doctor, I know I will adjust and be fine with the change. As is true for the character on Madame Secretary, the change is a new opportunity to grow.
Written October 30, 2017
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