Reflections and Creeds (John Wooden style)

Only two more months left until I'm officially done with medical school and on my way to truly becoming a doctor.  Thanks to a favorable schedule for the end of the year, I have this weekend off of work, and thanks to the beginnings of a small cold, I've specifically not made any plans and as a result I've had some amazing time for rest, reading, and reflection.  I curled up in some rare Ohio winter sunlight with some tea and two books today, the Bible, and Bob Goff's "Love Does," both of which never cease to inspire me and get my life focused on the right things.  

However, it was something that I read later on today, as I was cleaning up, that most inspired me and stuck with me.  John Wooden has been something of a personal hero of mine ever since I attended a leadership conference inspired by his principles.  During my reading and cleaning today, this is what I came across: 

John Wooden's Seven Point Creed:

"Seven Things To Do"

- Be true to yourself

- Help others

- Make each day your masterpiece

- Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible

- Make friendship a fine art

- Build shelter against a rainy day

- Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings each day

Although this may be slightly paraphrased, I think that part of the appeal of this for me is that it is succinct but it packs a punch.  It's simple, yet living out a creed like this actively on a day to day basis is far from simple.  Anyways I think there are three of these that particularly stand out to me:  

• making friendship a fine art, as I am always striving to nuture friendships in my life,  but I like the phrasing, making friendship an art, implying that more goes into it than meets the eye, that it requires work and honing of skill
• drinking deeply from good books, as I am trying to get myself out of my digital / technological rut by reading things that are more meaningful than my twitter and facebook feeds
• praying for guidance / giving thanks for blessings... growing up, I used to pray much more often, and it's something that almost unfailingly keeps my life on track, yet something that I've failed to practice much lately, but that I'm working on making a routine once again

Anyways, for this week maybe I'll focus on "being true to myself."  That's a broad ideal that could be interpreted in such a variety of ways.  I think I'll take it as first and foremost finding those truths about myself by continuing to spend time in silent reading and reflection, like today afforded.  I really think that especially in medical school, and especially with my growing addiction to the online world, simple times of peace and quiet are at a premium, but are becoming more and more a priority.