Several years ago, fate intervened to inspired Gary LeRoy, MD, FAAFP to write a book. With the editing assistance of Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) Executive Vice President Ann Spicer, he submitted the manuscript for “Quotes from the Edge of Nowhere – The Art of Noticing Unnoticed Life Wisdom” for publication later this year. Rather than wait for its fall release, he asked the OAFP staff to give Academy members something to fill up about 30 minutes of their quiet time.
It is his hope that a chapter or two will provide some element of hope or ignite an amber of inspiration during the moments of solitude of this unprecedented global crisis, COVID-19. If nothing else, it will give those who take the time to read each little chapter something to mentally reflect upon.
Until the COVID-19 crisis officially ends, the OAFP will publish one chapter each week in the Weekly Family Medicine Update and then archive that chapter on its website. The book has 10 chapters. It is Dr. LeRoy’s sincere hope that we, as a nation, emerge from this crisis long before the OAFP can publish the 10th and final chapter.
Chapter 8: “Promise nothing; but act as if you have.”
Without telling anyone the detailed reason why I don’t make promises, it has become a reassuring practice. It verifies whether my friends, family, co-workers, students, or patients are actively listening as I speak. If any of them attempt to rebuke me by saying, “You promised that you would…” I reply with complete certainty that they have misquoted me.
I faithfully practice the doctrine of never making promises to do something that is beyond my full control to do. Very few things in life are immune to fate’s intervention. Thus, very few things in life can be promised with certainty.
Read Chapter 8 for the story behind why he doesn’t say “I promise…”
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