Aspiretalks
- Richard Rayner MD
- February 8, 2024
“I know this life is a strange thing Can’t answer all the “whys” Tragedy always finds me Taken again by surprise”– -From “Love Will Find a Way” by Amy Grant It finds us. Young, old, wealthy, poor, educated, humble, proud. The waters of tragedy, suffering, and hardship leak into the homes of our lives, sometimes […]
- Richard Rayner MD
- December 22, 2023
The end is near! Not the end – at least I hope not, although across the globe this year has been (another) rough one. But it’s time to put that stuff aside for a moment and celebrate! Time to gather with friends and family and enjoy the good things and festivities unique to the season. […]
- David White MD
- November 28, 2023
Abraham Lincoln is credited with the saying, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Seems simple enough—just do it — take responsibility, and don’t delay! Wait, what does that even mean? What does it mean to take responsibility—make my bed, brush my teeth, recycle, walk the dog, show up on time, […]
- Richard Rayner MD
- September 12, 2023
Award winning author Marilynne Robinson, in her book Home, has a character that laments that tears are so readily visible, that she would have preferred that God made them come out of a hand or foot. When I read that I thought it was a really bizarre concept and wondered how the author even came up with […]
- David White MD
- August 18, 2023
I know it’s a waste, but it’s only $2.00 and fun to pretend–so no big deal. But then, as I pass the Mega Millions billboard, my mind wanders to… ’what if I actually win?’ I’ve seen the numbers: the prize– $1,550,000,000; cash payout– $757,000,000; net after taxes–$575,472,000 (plus or minus a few million—pocket change at […]
- David White MD
- May 26, 2023
I had the good fortune of celebrating my 50-somethingth birthday this month. The best part of that day was having the opportunity to speak meaningfully with each of my three sons, now living in lands too far away. On one of those calls, my son mentioned that he had written me a note and offered […]
- Richard Rayner MD
- March 15, 2023
It’s probably been decades since the first commercial for one of those medical alert devices hit the television air waves. The scene goes something like this: an elderly woman in her home, all alone, finds herself suddenly on the ground with no one around to help her get up. No problem! She has a new […]
- David White MD
- February 23, 2023
Take cheer my friend, everything happens for a reason! Wait—What? Really? Every car accident, job loss, bankruptcy, divorce, broken friendship, injury, cancer diagnosis, loss of a loved one—this and everything else—they happen for a reason? In my work as a physician, I have heard this counsel offered so many times, and always with a sincere […]
- Richard Rayner MD
- November 15, 2022
I’m a Karmann Ghia. Like the car sold by Volkswagen until the early 1970’s which had a German chassis and mechanicals, but with Italian styling, I’m a product of a father of German heritage and an Italian mother. While we certainly enjoyed woofing our wurst, the flavor of my family was clearly more solidly soppressata. […]
- David White MD
- October 4, 2022
David…I see you. These are some of the kindest words ever spoken to me. Several years ago I was asking a longtime family friend who is an executive coach if he would be willing to meet with my sons as they were facing transitions into adulthood. As we talked further about his work in guiding […]
- Richard Rayner MD
- August 16, 2022
The start of the New Year has long since passed, and no doubt some of those January 1 resolutions have collected a thick layer of dust on the shelves of our minds. What seemed so clearly necessary in late December may be acknowledged now, but the urgency has dissipated. No problem! The first of January […]
- David White MD
- July 27, 2022
Light gently filled my eyes as my heavy lids were wooed open by the sound of rustling in the tent next to mine. Then more rustling and the sound of zipper doors opening in sequence announcing that it was a new day as my brothers crawled from their tents. I sat up, immediately feeling the […]
