Being "All In"

“Gratitude turns what is into enough.”  Anonymous

With all the heaviness surrounding us presently (and perhaps within as well), I found myself feeling inspired this week by one of my Internal Medicine colleagues and good friend who has been serving as ward attending for one of our hospital’s “COVID Units.”  It’s not only his dedication to his patients and care team and willingness to deeply connect with them in their time fear and uncertainty that has impressed me, but also his equal fervor in connecting with other things that have deep meaning for him, including being outdoors and spending time with his family, when he is not working.  He is “all in” for the life that is right in front of him, unwrapping each day as the gift that it is, and taking none for granted.   

It is in the spirit of such full engagement with life that I’d like to encourage you to try an exercise this week intended to heighten your own “gratitude receptors.”  Consider pausing each day to be aware of one thing you feel gratitude for through each of your 5 senses (examples: “the singing of the mockingbird” and “the smell of freshly cut grass”).  I’ve tried this exercise during the past week, and the change in perspective has been powerful.  When you check-in with your PeerRx partner (hopefully multiple times this week), share what you’re noticing.  Specifically share: 

• Here’s what I’m noticing as I am more fully aware of engaging in life through each of my senses.                    

• This is one specific thing you, as my PeerRx partner, can do to help support and/or encourage me to be more “fully alive” this THIS WEEK as we navigate through these challenging times together.            

Remember, we need each other.  And that’s a good thing ….