After only a few weeks online, we at the Journal of Sacred Work have been pleased by the quality of comments we have received. In addition, our statistics show that hundreds are visiting this site each say. Soon, we hope it will be thousands as each of YOU spreads the word to friends to click on www.journalofsacredwork.typepad.com

Remember, that to post a comment, you need to follow all four of the simple steps: 1) fill in your name & email (the URL box can stay blank), 2) enter your comment, 3) click on Post, AND 4) (IMPORTANT) re-type the squiggly letters that will appear before you on the next page before hitting Post again.

At the end of this week, we wanted to highlight some of the terrific reader comments and insights we’ve received:

The Meditation on a Surgeon’s Anger drew several insightful observations.

Natalie Sellers, from Parrish Medical Center wrote: It illuminated for me that when we strip away our titles, social position, academic achievements, and material possessions the thing that is left is our humanity.

Liz Wessel, R.N., MSN, St. Joseph Health System, concluded her comment with the powerful observation that: Compassion for our physicians, is a necessary first step in beginning the healing process.

Brian Wong, M.D., a Seattle-based physician & consultant observed in a long comment worth reading in its entirety: Isn’t it curious, that what our patients want most from physicians is, in fact, our humanity?

Is there a place for poetry in the lives of harried caregivers? In his comment on the meditation "Faking Compassion," Dr. Keith Hagan quoted some powerful language from Rilke:

Let us all remember this as we
enter into the mystery of each
day….we will always carry compassion
and equanimity with us.

And nurse Lisa Holmes offers the hard truth that she:  hates it when I see a new doctor or nurse up on the floors and you can tell they’re wearing a mask – not the one over their faces but the one that hides their heart.

Finally, on the piece The Waiting Room, Andrew Workum offers compassion toward the caregiver: it could well be the hidden heart that is hurting the most – perhaps theirs [the caregivers) is also.

I hope that these meditations, and your comments on them, will continue to illuminate & ease the hidden pain in the hearts of so many. As Mr. Workum suggests, caregivers need compassion so that they may find the strength to give it themselves to those of us who go to them in need.

Thank you for your support of The Journal. We need your involvement to keep this dialogue on loving care alive.

As you enter this weekend, may you find rest, refreshment and peace.