Sometimes I think I’m so open and aware. I think I’m not judgmental or have any kind of prejudice. I think I’ve got it all figured out and that I’m in some position to tell others. Then something happens. Someone knocks me on my ass. Then I realize that I’ve still got a lot to learn. I am open. I am aware. I make very serious and strong attempts to not be judgmental, but we’re all a work in progress. There’s always room for growth.
I want be a good doctor. I want to be a good listener. I want people to know that they are safe with me. I want people to feel comfort and calm. That’s the whole part of traditional medicine that I don’t like. The rush, the arrogance, the isolating, alienating sterile white rooms. I want you to feel familiar. I want you to feel like you’re visiting with me and dishing about your newest circumstance.
I loved the first time I went to see a Naturopathic doctor. They wanted to know it all. My diet, my exercise routine, my job, my stress, my poops. I thought it was great. I found speaking about things that people rarely ask me about, allows me to reflect in a whole new way. I began seeing congruencies and having epiphanies about intake and its repercussions. It was liberating to say the least. I felt like I had a new ability to step back and use my knowledge of myself to be my best doctor. I became more aware of my choices in my day-to-day. It was nice and affirming, cause believe it or not I had waited til I was applying for Naturopathic school to actually go and visit my first naturopathic clinic. It just had always seemed like a privelaged thing. But that’s the wonderful thing about Portland and NCNM being here. The students need clinics to practice at. So there are many community clinics where people can see students (supervised by doctors) and it’s actually affordable. I recommend it for everyone!
