If you only see "a naked woman" in this classic Renaissance painting (Lucas Cranach – 1530) you will miss the richness that patient looking discovers. Those uncomfortable with art's portrayal of nudes confuse art with pornography. As Rodin wrote, ""…for him who can see, the nude offers the richest meaning." 

   If you only see an ER patient as a drunk you will miss the beauty of the human. Objectifying patients is health care's pornography. 

   In Stephen Dunn's words, "…after a while/ you forget you're using half of yourself." Caregiving needs all of us. 

   Meanwhile, why are the sick called "patients?" Religious teaching honors patience in suffering. Our illnesses also mean waiting for caregivers to wait on us.    

   Patience opens the door to loving care as you witness sickness. Without such patience, the door to healing & her companion, Beauty, stays closed. 

   Caregivers live where emergencies alternate with this need for patience. Training focuses on technical skills. Patience requires a different discipline. 

   A cured patient is medicine's "good outcome." Healing is a spiritual event impossible to recognize if your goal is simply "fixing."  

 How do harried caregivers learn that Beauty's grace is only found through profound patience? Beauty will not show her face to eyes seeking information only. 

   Be patient & beauty will feed your soul. Mere data-seeking blocks the hearts of fast-looking museum goers & flower-glancers.

   Several studies demonstrate that most museum visitors spend just seconds looking at each painting. They identify an image & move on. 

   What have they missed?  In the "elbow" photograph your eye may see only a nude. Turn away too quickly & you will miss the richness offered by soft skin against hard rock & the curves & triangles in both. 

   The image of the lilac also holds more for your eye then the color purple. 

   Never be satisfied labeling a flower as "pretty" & rushing on. Speed causes labeling.

   Brains diagnose illness. Love facilitates healing. 

    Radical Loving Care goes beyond the ordinary. Beauty requires patient presence & an open heart not random glances & rapid stereotyping.

  -Reverend Erie Chapman.