#232 Cultivating the "Wisdom to know the difference"

       “Compassion’s way is the way of letting go, of loosening our grip. … We can only become compassionate toward our life and toward those around us when we are no longer preoccupied with trying to control the uncontrollable.
     Acknowledging the inevitability of change does not mean mere passivity or resignation however. We can still ‘row, row, row’ our boat, but gently rather than frantically. We are honest about what we can control and what we can’t, and our efforts are directed toward what’s possible, not what’s impossible.” 
       Magid B. “Ending the pursuit of happiness – a Zen guide.” Wisdom Publications, Boston, 2008.  

     "oncologists ... who saw their role as both biomedical and psychosocial found end-of-life care very satisfying. But those 'who described a primarily biomedical role reported a more distant relationship with the patient, a sense of failure at not being able to alter the course of the disease and an absence of collegial support' ..."
       Jackson AV et al. A Qualitative Study of Oncologists’ Approaches to End-of-Life Care. J Palliative Med 2008; 11(6): 893-906.

Brody JE. "Aiding the Doctor Who Feels Cancer’s Toll" NY Times Nov 26, 2012
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/aiding-the-doctor-who-feels-cancers-toll/ 

Paul Hannon   http://paulhannon.com/