Transcendence
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”
― Vincent Willem van Gogh
Transcendence is the state of being beyond or surpassing the ordinary limits of human experience. It is the state of being beyond the physical, material, and even spiritual world, and is often used to describe a spiritual or metaphysical experience. In religion, transcendence is the belief in the existence of a realm or state that is beyond the physical world, and which is the source of ultimate meaning and spiritual satisfaction. It is often associated with a belief in the divine or in a spiritual power. In philosophy, transcendence is the belief that reality exists beyond the physical world and is accessible through higher forms of knowledge.
In medicine, we are life long learners with continuing medical education [CME], journal club, grand rounds, and other forms of learning. While we can transcend the obstacles in medicine, we also have to put on our own oxygen masks first. We take the Hypocractic oath, but also part of that is to do no harm to the self.
-Sleep is important.
-Self care is important.
-Reaching out for help is important—at work, at home, and in all areas of life. Asking for help is not weak, it is human. Even the greatest superheroes had help—side kicks, weapons, vehicles, and good ‘ole Albert for Batman.
-Cultivate a culture of listening. Everyone is heard. Solutions are welcomed. On the same token, if a solution is not taken into consideration at the exact time it is given, provide feedback. The individual that gave the idea as a solution should not take it as a personal attack, though at times it is difficult.
-Shed the ego. This is tough. As humans this is where we reside!
As a whole, medicine needs to transcend from where it is. On an individual level, that is where we can make the most impact. Small impacts across the world of medicine can make a great crater!
Sometimes life is a blur, but at those times, that is when we transcend what we once were.