In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark and Jamie Holms revisit an old article on balancing happiness, stability, and giving in vet medicine. They reflect on changes in perspectives over the years, discussing the evolution of these core principles while exploring the intricate facets of happiness, intentional giving, and the dynamics of optimism and realism in… Read More
Perspective
Does it ever feel like the world is getting too big?
One of my favorite ideas from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is that of the Total Perspective Vortex (TPV). In the book, the TPV was a machine built to show beings a glimpse of the infinity of creation… and it’s used as the ultimate torture device. Human’s brains, it seems, are not meant to… Read More
The Right Number of Disasters
I was recently listening to an interview where an economist was criticizing the way modern media reports the news. He said that the mainstream media tends to grab onto a disaster, thrust it into the national spotlight and then ask the question “how do we prevent this from happening again?!” The economist said this behavior… Read More
An Honest Look at What We’re Thankful For
I’ve seen more than a few shocked faces as I, the guy known for holding the torch of positivity in veterinary medicine, tell people that “life is suffering.” If you’ve listened to my podcasts or read my articles, you’ve heard me tell people that medicine (and management) is simply picking your poison over and over… Read More
Those You Know, But Don’t Know
When I used to drop my kids off at daycare, my primary focus was ejecting the children from my car so I could get on to my mile long to-do list. Screeching tires, flying gravel and… was that a little girl wearing a halloween costume in March? I passed through the parking lot as quickly… Read More
Perception: It’s All How You Look At It
Today I am thrilled with my dog. I am so, so happy. Do you want to know why? Because he only destroyed a very nice pair of socks belonging to my oldest daughter. For those of you who have been reading my letters for a while, you might remember that Skipper Roark is a devout… Read More