As our time comes to an end, I wanted to discuss a reoccurring solution that has been proposed in response to the many dilemmas faced in field of bioethics: distorted perception of medical advancements caused by "hype" and misinformation. I wanna share a realization I had as a small girl that great accomplishments come from great sacrifices. Although this idea was motivating at times, it also came with a daunting awareness that these very sacrifices would amount to the decline of my health. I have faced and continue to face many obstacles in my journey to educational attainment, but an issue I always confronted was the uphill battle against a healthy balance of sacrifice. Because life is guided by the concept of time, our goals and our achievements are measured by their timely manners.
As I watched this Ted Talk "The brain-changing benefits of exercise" by Wendy Suzuki my heart sank as this idea was yet again reinforced. She shared her great success in her studies of "memory work" then shared a realization she had when she decided to leave the lab, that her pursuit of great work had caused the quality of her physical health to decline and overall she was miserable. And that realization was actually the turning point in her research. When she refocused her "type A personality" on her physical health she saw the effects of it during her time in the lab. Her ability to focus and the improvement of her memory she believed was a direct result of the effect exercise had on her brain.
Now, while Suzuki may have found a way to deal with her personality type and eventually come to live a more balanced life, her previous successes seem to be result of those sacrifices that led to her decline in health. This observation, while eye opening, is intimidating because you begin to feel as if this sacrifice is critical to your success regardless of the field you chose to go into. In bioethics we see that issues arise when uncharted territory is trying to be addressed in a ethical manner; physicians, scientist and engineers alike struggle to decide what risks are worth taking for a successful invention. Especially when there is the possibility of detrimental effects. The price of great accomplishment is difficult to discuss because it is difficult to see beyond the hypothesized result. Finding a response to dilemmas in all these fields seems to be impossible to do without great sacrifice, but finding a balance when you cannot see the end of both sides is clearly even more difficult.
DQ: What are some of the sacrifices you make in your everyday life choices? Do they directly affect your journey to "success"?
Wendy Suzuki Ted Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHY0FxzoKZE&t=639s
This reminds me of the frantic image of Charlie Chaplin in "Modern Times," desperately trying to keep up with the assembly line/machinery of production and getting enmeshed in the gears of our hurry-up society and its emphasis on "productivity." Of course we sacrifice our health and mental equanimity, if we buy into such an insane style and pace of living. And yet, when we prioritize the practices conducive to a healthier and happier lifestyle, we often feel a nagging sense of neglect... that is, we feel as though we're somehow being irresponsible slackers because we choose to place our personal well-being above others' expectations and definitions of "success" etc.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do? Well, I decided a long time ago that my peripatetic routine is the one habit in my life upon which all else depends. My work, relationships, outlook, you name it... they all suffer if I don't get my morning dog-walk in. Some Type-A types don't get that. Too bad for them.
So my advice: insist on fulfilling the conditions of your own well-being, on your own terms. Any employer worth working for will understand.