Do you know how sometimes it seems that people set a course for their life and stick with it? They start with their destination in mind and continually move in that direction. It seems a very productive, safe, and admirable way to live life. But for some reason, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to pick a destination. Ah yes, I am reminded of the Cheshire Cat. If you don't care where you end up, it doesn't matter which way you go. But I DO care, quite a lot. I am praying, fasting, and praying some more that I will end up doing something worthwhile.
So I continually ask, "Where am I going?"
I've become interested in tracing my trajectory. What twists have spun me from one path to another? This blog is just an outline of some of my steps, and the ideas started me in the direction of those steps.
In elementary school I was often told I should be a psychiatrist. I still hear that sometimes. And it had a certain appeal - I was good at listening to peoples problems, and they generally liked the advice I gave them. Ultimately, I was and wanted to be a helper and a fixer. A psychiatrist might just do the trick.....
But in high school I got a sinus infection. I didn't want to take anti-biotics, so instead of going to the doctor I went to the Bastyr Clinic for Natural Health. An allopathic doctor would have looked up my nose and given me a prescription. The naturopathic doctor asked me questions about everything from my mood to my digestion to my lifestyle, then gave me a tincture (I don't remember what was in it) and some tea tree oil to inhale from a steamy bowl of hot water, with a towel over my head. When I left I thought, "That is how medicine should be practiced. A real interest should be taken in the patient, and the patient should be treated holistically. I want to be a naturopathic doctor because that type of medicine really helps people become healthier."
And then years passed.
