PAYING IT FORWARD
Planting Seeds for the Future
by CYNTHIA RIGBY , MD
Most of us have seen the occasional Facebook or internet stories about the random stranger who decides to pay for the groceries ( or even a coffee ) of the next person in line . The immediate payback of goodwill is intoxicating for this monetary gesture , usually with an encouragement to “ pay it forward .” “ Random acts of kindness ” like dropping some coin on a stranger is a small part of the “ Time , Talent and Treasure ” trilogy that is touted in our faith communities . Unfortunately , most people fix their gaze on the “ Treasure ” part . As busy physicians , sometimes writing a check seems the easiest way to contribute , but as members of a community , we have so much more to give to make a difference .
Concerns about burnout in medicine speak of the disruption of work / life balance . The book , Radical Hospitality , 1 by Lonni Collins
Pratt , with Father Daniel Homan , OSB , suggests a balanced life includes three dimensions – “ Cloister , Community , and Hospitality .” Using the Rule of St . Benedict , they craft a way to order a life outside the monastery . By cloister , they refer to time to oneself ; community is time with peers and family ; and hospitality is kindness to strangers . While we consider ourselves a helping profession , our daily work is mostly in the realm of community . However , there are ways to incorporate “ hospitality ” into our work and family lives .
Growing up in a small community consisting of mainly farmers and factory workers , everyone knew that if we didn ’ t do it , no one would be doing it for us . It was normal to help with church and village activities . My uncle was a volunteer fireman , I sang in the church choir , my mother crocheted afghans for community raffles and my dad stepped up to be on the village board and police force , rather than complain about problems . Multiple family members enlisted to serve in World War II and were honored for their sacrifice . My grandmother had the unofficial “ break room ” for the funeral home next door , so people had a chance to decompress , and she
6 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE