Today's post is a reflection on an old saying, attributed to Jesus' teaching of his disciples. It takes place in an interaction with a large group who were acting like typical humans. The full saying is, "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matt 7:3)
So, what about the "log" in our eyes, and what role does it play in our health, wellness and wholeness (HW2)? In my experience, I have exquisite visual acuity when looking and evaluating others lives and HW2 issues. It may be that my vision has been sharpened from almost 25 years of clinical practice evaluating people's health needs, but this is a convenient excuse. When I note the HW2 needs in someone elae, and give them my best advice, I don't need to address my own issues (nor do I need to change my behaviors). I can feel superior and move on in my day knowing that I have done my best for someone else. I can move along without ever having been in relationship with another, nor exploring how their situation reflects my own.
Our health care system (or episodic intervention portal) is much the same way, in that it treats people without a relationship. Health insurance reform (so called "Obama care") is the same way in that it says that irrespective of the need for Tort reform legislation, payment reform, and creation of a system that promotes health and really "cares" for people, all we need to do is have health insurance for all. Truly "speck" versus "log" mentality and one of the main reasons that it has struggled so to get implemented (in my opinion). Partisan politics and lack of insight into the problem have doomed this important, but iterative process to become mired in the muck.
What can we learn from this biblical statement? A truth that was already old before it was recorded in the canon sheds light on the human condition. As with many of the memorable wisdom sayings, it cuts right to the chase and leaves no room for doubt about what is being communicated. We must take responsibility for our own HW2. I must change the way that I go about my relationship with food so that I do not consume more than I need to be healthy. I need to counteract the constant messaging that I need and deserve more than this. I need to get out and walk and find balance between my work and home lives. I need time for prayer and relaxation and time to build meaningful relationships. Gandhi said, "You need to beocme the change you want to see in the world." This is the path to HW2 and the removal of our visual logs.
This week as you go about your lives, look for those "log" moments and find the wisdom to remove yours first. In this way, we will all move closer to HW2.
Peace in 2011,
Dan
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment