A poem written by my Mom:

Twinkle Twinkle little Tejas-star
How I wonder Who You Are?
In the Midst of the Wild World
Still Up So High
Like a Diamond In the Krishna's House!

On the Nature of Being Crunchy

Crunchy. The word smacks of the bohemian, appropriately so. My resident LL [who did her first residency, in Pediatrics, at Stanford] uses the term to describe the classic Santa Barbara – hippie-organic-loving-wannabe-Indian-yoga-master type of person. I have secretly decided that the term applies to me.

I am currently reading a very crunchy book on energy psychiatry, written by a psychiatrist who trained at UCLA. As far as I can figure, the premise of the book is that the nature of our lived reality is largely a product of the interaction between positive and negative forces of energy. Surly moods and the gallows of depression can be a product of interacting with very negative people, constantly rushing to get things done, over relying on technology, refusing to forgive people for previous transgressions, not sleeping properly… and the list goes on. The book then proposes multiple strategies to cultivate positive energy – and this is where the crunchiness sometimes gets a bit extreme. Nonetheless, it makes some really great points :

• “… try to treat yourself and everyone else with love. It’s a constant process of tuning in: finding people who support your spirit, trusting your gut-centered decisions to guide you. Then you won’t end up in a relationship that looks right but feels wrong….. When you’re with trying people, aim for the high road; find common ground rather than inflame negativity.[Pg. 27, Positive Energy]”

Nothing said is ingenious or novel. Indeed, at some point in our lives [most notably kindergarten] we all learned these lessons, and deep down inside, we probably all know them. Yet some how, somewhere, we all forget….wait, scratch the all inclusive “we.” Lets do that again: At some point in my life [most notably kindergarten] I all learned these lessons, and deep down inside, I probably all know them. Yet some how, sometimes, I still manage to forget…. So its nice to be reminded now and again of one very simple dictum: Be positive. Hey! That’s my blood type!

How to Get out of a Boring Conversation

ID: 22-year-old Asian Indian female presents with mild psychosis after experiencing dinner-party-induced boredom of five hour duration.

CC [Chief Complaint]: Patient states, “I was soooo bored.”

HPI [History of Present Illness]: Two friends invited Patient to a dinner party on Friday evening. Patient claims that the only thing the guests spoke about was [a] how rainy the weather has been, [b] t.v. shows that pt doesn’t watch and can’t watch because pt has no t.v. and [c] how horribly bad Dr. S is as a professor. Patient denies contributing much to said conversation because “I was bored and wanted to shoot myself.”

PMH [Past Medical History]: Patient has a history that is significant for social ineptitude in the setting of group situations. Patient frequently invited to dinner parties but does not show up or disappears mysteriously. Patient generally considered “nice” but “a very private person.” Sometimes seen talking to self.

FH [Family History]: Patient has one brother [older, 2 years] whom patient instructs on social skills. Brother, thereof, known to be a social disaster. Mother is talkative, very social, and famous. Father is quiet and reclusive.

SH [Social History]: Patient generally found in library or running around East Rock park.

PE [Physical Exam]: Non-contributory.

Impression: 22-year-old nerdy girl seeking prophylaxis for certain ennui.

Plan: The writer suggests that midway through a boring conversation, the patient should say, “Hey, this is a pretty boring conversation. Its so sad that most conversations at parties are so dull and insipid and somehow manage to hide the fact that most people you meet here are fascinating and wonderfully interesting.” And thus begins a far more interesting conversation….