Author: David White MD
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
We were midway through the scoreless first period of the wrestling match and I could feel my body beginning to loosen, to gain speed and move more fluidly. It seemed my matches always started the same— an anxious stiffness, almost clumsiness—too aware of my every awkward movement. I had earned the opportunity to wrestle-off for […]
The smell of earth filled every gasping breath as I slid face-first across the ground; muddy ooze flowing over the face mask of my bulky football helmet. Where did he even come from? At 12 years old I was 75 lbs and only chest high to the majority of kids my age. And though I […]
One of the most dreaded experiences during middle school was to walk into a classroom and suddenly see all eyes turn and focus on your groin as someone gleefully declares, “XYZPDQ!” Then comes the clumsy scramble of trying to find the little tab on the zipper as a blush blossoms across your face—suppressed laughter filling […]
“Times!” someone would shout for some reason or another. Then the race was on, and if I was fortunate enough to get there first, I would grab the garden hose from the drinking end, quickly turn the spigot on full blast and wait impatiently for the stale, hot, rubbery water to clear the hose. Then […]
The neon sign in the tiny urban diner window read, “WORLD’S BEST CUP OF COFFEE.” Buddy the elf, having just moved to NYC from the North Pole, couldn’t contain his excitement. He burst into the diner and declared to the unsuspecting staff and guests, “You did it! Congratulations! World’s best cup of coffee…great job everybody…it’s […]
Comedian Brian Regan has a great bit where he ponders aloud why a box of Pop-Tarts would provide alternative instructions to the standard guidance of toasting the pastries for one minute. He shares that the alternative instructions are to “microwave on high for 3-seconds.” He then declares with an accusatory tone, “If you gotta zap-fry […]