Doctors are like lifeguards, but the lifeguards are exhausted. For God’s sake, just put on the life vest. We’re begging you. If you’ve ever been to a water-themed amusement park then you know about the wave pool. The massive reservoir of water takes up a lot of prime real estate…

It starts with recognition and ends with honesty. — Do you have that friend or coworker who’s just overly nice all the time? They just agree with everything. Isn’t it annoying? Do you trust them? I definitely don’t. Steer clear because these pushovers are broken people who will manipulate you. Then like a volcano, their rage will erupt, leaving…

How the sick find peace and happiness amid a health crisis — People think Christmas on the hospital’s COVID unit is sad and dreary. Oh, how sad the patients must be, right? Well, those sick in the hospital on Christmas Day still find reasons for gratitude. Oddly enough, a common cause for thanks is their health. Even patients with mild COVID wonder…

How showing appreciation will make you popular and change the standards at work. — Have you ever been having a bad day when one of your customers, coworkers, or your boss gives you a really well-placed compliment? Well, that happened to me twice in one day. We work so hard day after day, feeling unappreciated. We make sacrifices to save others from too much…

I’m grappling with my writing process, and I just can’t break free. I looked in my past to find the tools to overcome. — I’m knee-deep in a slump. I’m grappling with my writing process, and I just can’t break free. I looked in my past to find the tools to overcome. Over 14 years of struggle, I’ve learned a thing or two about resilience. “The best way out is always through.” Robert Frost …

The thousands of people with covid have stories. Here’s how I met Dave. — COVID is out of control. Remember the faces of those hundreds of people who die from COVID each day. Picture a person, not a number. I know I do. In the middle of a hellish treating COVID patients, I discussed resuscitation planning with the father of my 30-something-year-old patient. Let’s…

Certain COVID patients lie in bed, staring at an open coffin leaning against the hospital room wall. — Somehow they know the grave is calling. Each of them was breathless and had an itchy chest discomfort despite all objective measures looking good. Let me attempt to illustrate with a long-winded simile. Picture this. You’re out on the lake boat with a few friends, enjoying the warm weather, sipping…

Having someone who believes in you is enough to get you past the demons of your past. — We all have childhood demons. They whisper in our ear, convincing us that we have nothing to offer the world. It is hard to shut it out. But, having someone who believes in you is enough to get you past the demons of your past. Years ago, I cared for…

Regardless of the size of those first steps, don’t let anyone define or downplay your courage. — Your first victorious steps of courage are yours to be celebrated. You may have openly admitted that you’re unhappy in your marriage, or you left a toxic job to chase your dream. Regardless of the size of those first steps, don’t let anyone define or downplay your courage. For example…