It is the holiday season – Christmas, in my house. I look forward to this month with such childlike zeal that it drives my family crazy.
The house can never be decorated too soon and those decorations can never remain up too long. I love the sense of anticipation and watching the expressions on children’s faces (especially my own children). I love the lights and the smells and the tastes (perhaps a little too much, given I always spend January and February wondering why my clothes do not fit as well.) More than anything, I love the simple kindness we allow ourselves to share with each other. We forget our differences and see everything through the prism of the holidays. We shift our perspective for 1 month before reverting back to our usual way of looking at each other and the world around us.
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"You may have to work hard to reframe, but the opportunity is always there."
With that in mind, I want to give each of you a gift. This gift is always the right size, and it will not expire. It is highly portable and can be used any time and any day of the year. It is the gift of reframing.
Approximately 1 year ago, I saw Dewitt Jones’ "Celebrate What's Right With the World" video. Mr. Jones is a well-known freelance photographer, made famous by his work with National Geographic. In this video, he speaks of one’s ability to reshape the story they are presented with and tell it in a new way – a way of their choosing. In other words: reframing.
We see people reframe every day and often fail to recognize it. It happens as we watch family members grieve for a loved one. Inevitably, the family takes time to celebrate the wonderful experiences they shared with their loved one and the positive impact of those times on family and friends. We see it in those who, as they detail the struggles they are working through in their daily lives, say, "Well, at least I have my health."
You may have to work hard to reframe, but the opportunity is always there. Even in our darkest moments, we can find a sliver of light that helps us get through the day. Like most things in life, though, you will get out of reframing what you put into it. If you choose not to look for the positives in life, you will not see them. If you opt not to see the beauty that surrounds us, you will miss it.
This holiday season, take a moment to remember the joy of giving when you get overwhelmed because you are behind on your holiday shopping. When you are tired and wrapping presents at midnight, picture the expression on your child’s face and remember how excited you were as a child during the holidays.
If you think medicine is in trouble because of health care reform, view it as an opportunity to create a system that provides seamless, value-driven care for our patients. Regardless of your situation, take a moment to reframe it and make it positive. You will be happy that you did.
I wish you and your families a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.
Dr. Pistoria is chief of hospital medicine at Coordinated Health in Bethlehem, Pa. He believes that best care is always personal.