"The artist is not a special kind of person; rather, each person is a special kind of artist."

 At age six, I lay ill with the mumps. Fever delivered it's discomfort. 

   It was back in the days of house calls. Dr. Brooks arrived, black bag in hand, his face dressed with reassurance.  The moment his compassionate and loving energy arrived in my room I felt better. 

   The good doctor hadn't administered any medicine yet. It was his presence that I found healing. 

   Of course doctors, like artists, are not special kinds of people. But each one "is a special kind of artist."

   When we enter the presence of others, we raise the light or we lower it depending on the quality of light and Love we bring. When caregivers enter a room in which we sit, the same thing occurs. Their presence will enhance our energy or, perhaps, diminish it.

  We don't take our good news to doctors or other caregivers. We go to them with our pain and our worry in the hope they will dissolve both.

   Because caregivers are trained to diagnose what is wrong, it can sometimes be difficult to draw their focus to something that is "right."

   I remember visiting a doctor once for a physical exam prior to entering a biathalon. After working hard to get into great shape, I was not only hoping he would clear me but that he would compliment me on my "terrific" fitness. Instead, all he said following the exam was, "Well, I can't find anything wrong." He even seemed a little disappointed. After all, our health system rewards doctors for treating illness, not for maintaining our health.   

   The "good doctors" are the ones who affirm our health as well as treating our illness, bringing competence as well as compassion. The good doctors are the ones who listen to our sacred hearts as well as to the ones that beat in our chest.

   The good doctors are the ones who live Love, not fear.

-Erie Chapman