What Makes Us Human?
This question is not a theoretical one. As a physician I’m incredibly privileged to care for people in all stages of life: from the unborn to those approaching life’s end; people of various continents, cultures, religions—each with a unique life story.
Their experiences are impossible to be fully expressed by words. I learn more from the way they face the uncertainty of their future. I’ve learned humility – how we all are equally fragile beings, who deserve to be protected and cared for at all times. How all of us are prone to variety of emotions, especially in the difficult situations life throws at us. I learned that every moment in life is worth living, and that we have opportunities obscure, as they may be to grasp the meaning of suffering we encounter no matter how bitter, painful and traumatic. I’m only at the beginning of my professional path of the art and science of healing. And I often feel the limitations of time, knowledge and experience. But the awareness that we are all humans helps me to go through difficult days – nothing more and nothing less than being one in the human family who laughs, cries, gets angry needs help or can help. None of us are super heroes. And while being part of the human family each one of us is unique! Yet we all suffer and all need a helping hand at the right moment.
Children on Window by Hanna Morris, Hands by Bonnie Kittle
Folded Hands by Danie Franco Feather Javardh all on Unsplash
I’m so very grateful for everyone I’ve met on my way so far—mentors, patients, family and friends. I can’t even count how many times I was inspired to do my best and learned from others how to accept failures, of not being able to cure a patient or prevent a death. I’ve learned that I need to begin each day with the hope that my colleagues and I can and will be able to make a profound difference in our patient’s lives. Their smiles and trusting expectations as well as their humility and quiet resilience inspires me. My work shows me that despite the difficulties, there’s hope—for cures, for better access to health care, education and more. In short, there’s a promise for a better future because of the dedication of those who work to make that future a reality. That’s how my journey continues; making sense of this world by looking into the faces of those I care for each and every day.
Marysia Czesak, Edinburgh Scotland-SoFT Digital Outreach Partner
