Maundy Thursday

What if Christianity got it wrong. Jesus was just a guy who got into a thorny situation, got hammered, and finally woke up from a three day hangover? I mean that would explain the high alcohol content in his blood.

But in all seriousness, as we enter these solemn times, from Maundy Thursday onwards, may we be reminded that Christ dealt with the same doubts that we do. That he knew he would be betrayed and denied. That he did pray and asked once for this cup to be taken him. That his disciples were equally lost.

Yet, through it all it gave us one of the most profound line to our prayer life - not of my will, but yours. The essence of all that we pray for, our life's purpose can be distilled to this one profound notion. That Christ in human form suffer as we do, yet by yielding to a higher will, we too can become free. Free of our own desires, our ego. Free from the fetters of this transitory plane, so that we can transcend all humanity. So that we can let go of the hurt immediate to our own person and be at peace with the way of things that ultimately will be better for all.

We can ask all we want, but until we are willing to surrender for a greater will, a will that is all knowing, all loving, our own will means little. We must will ourselves to abide to G-d's will...  And truly, how many of us can say we can?

Indispensable - Excerpt an article published in August 2014

There has been a lot of controversies recently regarding hearing aid manufacturers moving their products to chain stores, and hearing aid specialists increasing their scope of practice.  While the threats are very real and the cause of no small amount of angst to our profession, I personally believe we are perhaps drawn to the wrong kind of battle. 

If indeed our livelihood can be so easily manipulated, if the future of audiology is dependent on the selling of hearing aids, then I believe we have missed the point of becoming a doctoring profession.  A doctoring profession should not be built around a commodity that can be dispensed, but rather upon a skill set, a knowledge base that makes it indispensable.  At the core of our struggle for recognition, for the push to becoming a limited license practitioner should be the quest to what makes us indispensable.  This intellectual pursuit should be our focus.  If we cannot live up to this professional quality and rigour, then we should or may face elimination. 

Audiology is the study of the vestibule-cochlear system.   When push comes to shove, we are supposedly the owners of the vestibulocochlear nerve and its related structures and functions. If I may be so bold, I would even identify myself as a vestibulocochlearologist.  I am not a dispenser; I am a specialist, I am a scientist who brings the most informed treatment to my patients. We must own that.  We must make our knowledge sacred, and unique.  Leave it to the dispensers to dispense hearing aids, but make it our prerogative to be the unique specialists who carefully diagnose the full range of hearing problems before writing the prescription for when and how a hearing aid should be fitted. Let us be the researchers into better hearing aid technology.  Let us be the trailblazers in making better assistive listening devices, improving testing techniques, and increasing efficacy of treatment to hearing and balance related ailments.  

That should be our priority.  Not how much revenue will be lost because a hearing aid is being sold on the shelf, or by someone with less training.  Yes, we should be outraged that hearing aids are being dispensed without the involvement of an audiologist, but not because of the loss of revenue, but because of the potential detriment and reduced quality of treatment to the end user.  It has been said we justify, verify, and dignify our opponents simply by the act of choosing them [Spoiler alert: sort of like Lord Voldemort choosing Harry over Neville to be his ultimate arch enemy].   Be careful whom we choose to be our adversary. 

Ultimately, our biggest hindrance is not the physician, the hearing aid dispenser, or the hearing aid manufacturer.  It is each of us failing in our ability to become indispensable, to be innately necessary to the care and treatment of our patients. 

The time has come to rally around the standards that define Audiology Education.  Standards are beacons in the chaos of battle.  They lead the way and signal the changes in strategy.  So long as the standards are upheld, the morale of the army it leads hold strong and true - if the raising of the American flag on that tiny island of Iwo Jima is any indication.  The future of audiology lies in the recognition of a unique set of standards developed of, by and for audiologists; they are the essential undeniable elements of any campaign.  It may bring back childhood memories of playing “capture the Flag”, but there is nothing childish behind its significance.  That recognition in any of its form is truly about raising one’s flag and prevents others from stripping it.  Similarly, in our strive for independence, we must have a set of standards that is our own to defend, to lead, and to rally upon.  A set of standards that is indispensable.

Emperor's New Cloths

"I think it is safe to say at this point numerous individuals have stood up and said the obvious, that the king is indeed naked.  Yet, either because of the need for tolerance or the fear of retribution, the silent majority remains muted and nakedness is now the new normal.

We are confusing legality with morality, opinions with facts, privileges with rights, and power with justice.  Hypocrisy becomes mainstream, while certainty and fundamentalism set in. The lines are drawn, to separate people, to keep a selected few out, and a whole lot of them in with a label.

We seem to have forgotten that this was an experiment; one that relies on a certain amount of curiosity, and flexibility.  One that trusts in the best of us, while setting forth guidelines to keep in check for when the worst of us surfaces.  When we, as a society, failed to implement those checks and balances.  When we allow either side to run rampant, then this experiment has failed, because there is now only one reality where there was once a promise of many."

Saying Thank you and Sorry

There are two phrases that one must not be afraid to use; in fact I implore us all to use them often and with conviction. They are “thank you” and “I am sorry”. It’s not a Canadian thing, although I am proud to say Canadians have never been shy with declaring gratefulness or expressing their empathetic sorrow to undesirable circumstance.

I known have been ridiculed for using them often, presumably because in this day and age of mock bravado, they can be misconstrued as signs of weakness, an admission of vulnerability. Yet, nothing can be further from the truth.

Saying ” thank you” requires us to step back and appreciate the many little blessings of this life. It allows us to acknowledges the little graces that others have bestowed upon us however justly or undeserving. And truth to be told, often we are unworthy of the favors incurred but by the good graces of others, and thus we are and should be grateful.

Likewise, saying sorry does not solely imply an admission of guilt. In fact, it is often intended as an olive branch saying “I commiserate”. I am sorrowful towards the circumstances, but you are not alone. How human is that?

“Thank you” and “sorry” are excellent vehicles in validating those around us. Therefore, I implore us to be not stingy in our dispense of them, but rather be ready to embody the spirit behind and reach out to others when the situation calls for either.

Election

So we discovered America is not as great as we thought, and one side was proved correct. That's ok because the way I see it the truly great things about the US hasn't changed. The people whom I hold most dear, Americans who have welcomed me into their homes and hearts, Americans who have shown me the diversity of experience and depth of their compassion, they are still here. YOU are all still here.

Yes, Canada is a pretty cool place, I love it, I miss it. But I have been here in the US for about 50% of my life now and I don't quite plan on leaving just yet. Neither should any of you. Why? Because there remains greatness here, and more importantly greater potentials to explore.

So we have discovered it is not all great, but that is good because now we can really get together and make it great. We can continue to strive and make it great for all peoples, people of colour, LGBTQs, minorities, the poor, and the marginalized.

And for those who don't initially believe the US is great, let us make it a mission to continually prove them wrong; we will prove them wrong.

Look, you all have been through a lot, and through it all I have faith that US will remain a beacon. Sure, right about now it may feel like a warning beacon. But I think at its very core America's ability to overcome any obstacles, its optimism, its willingness to believe in the goodness of others, its readiness to fight for the underdogs, and its determination to remain an inspiring nation for others to pursue greatness shall prevail.

Ultimately we are heading towards making America great again. Let that be the common theme. Your sons and daughters will live by your example, be the role model that will ennoble them to take down walls and shatter glass ceilings. All the meanwhile remembering to love one and other, to look out for our fellow human beings, and to safeguard this sacred planet that we share with all else.

Look not towards the flickering shadows with apprehension, but take stock in the flame that cast those shadows in the first pace. For a light is made to shine in darkness, so will American remain glowing and growing from sea to shining sea.

Embrace our brokenness

Here's the thing, if you lived long enough, chances are you will be a bit broken on the inside. Life's pudgy fingers will inevitably find its way and leave its prints on you, tarnishing the once pure slate. Heck, it may even dropped you a few times and cause you a chip here or there. Yet, I don't see that necessary as a bad disfigurement. If anything, those scars, those chips, they define you, give you character.

I have never seen the point of owning those collectible action figures if I can't take them out of the wrapper and play with them. Similarly, a pristine set of china, while pretty to the eye is meaningless if not used, it is just boring decor. Rather, I am fascinated by the discolored set, the chipped set, because at least I know it has been tested, it has endured, it is loved and and it is used. Chances are there is a few good tales to regale regarding each of those cracks, chips and dents.

Think of your favorite childhood doll; is it clean, untouched? Or is it all worn out, threadbare, and frayed. If it is latter, chances are that doll meant something, and you cherished it, played with it. Likewise, our inequities, our scars, our brokenness does not lessen us, if anything it enriches us. So I say to you, embrace each other warts and all. Be not sad or ashamed that we are no longer whole, but embrace the fact that we are jigsaw puzzles intriguing to be pieced together. That's what makes us worth knowing.

Children can be mean, but they can be so much more.

One of the frequent comments I hear in my line of work is that children can be mean. I hear expectant parents worrying over what to name their child in fear that it could be morphed into some terrible nickname that their peers can use again them. I see children who were previous successful user of hearing aids refusing to continue with the use of them after being made fun of. I saw bright kids who gradually turned sullen because they were bullied for a speech impediment or learning disability. Yes, children can be mean, but they can also be incredibly loving.

The thing is, children are a reflection of their microenviroment. Their interactions often a mimicry of adults surrounding them. Ever watched a child who stumbled and fell for the first time? There is alway this lag as they search the faces of the adults around them, guage their reaction before deciding if it was a bad incident. If the adults go, "oh no!" and rushes forward, chances are the child would burst into tears. Whereas adults who goes,"come on, it's ok" the child would probably clamber up and move along. Of course that is not always the case, but what I am getting at is children look towards us to guide their behavior.

If we are concerned that children can be mean, then we owe it to them to create a community and an immediate environment that rout out that mean streak. In our own interactions demonstrate goodness, encouragement, empathy, and humbleness. Encourage a child to understand that there will be those who will be weaker than them - help them. There will be those who are stronger than them - seek their assistance. There will be those less fortunate - do your best to even the playing field. I truly believe this, children are not mean, they can be, but they can be so much more.

As we watch the news, as our world seemed to be overshadowed by terrorism, violence, and despair, I urge each and everyone us to take a step back as a community, as a village and think carefully about what kind of world we want our children to inherit, and more importantly what kind of characters they will grow up to be. Fear tactics, disciplinary measures are easy fixes. They have always have because it reduces issues to primal fright, flight or fight responses. Yet, we are so much more than that. As sentient beings, it behooves us to rear children who rise about their basic instincts and approach each other with reason, compassion, and love.

Teach them to target the issue and not attack the person. After all, isn't being mean the result of a cavalier disregard of separating the issue ftom person? Name calling, bully tactics are all simply ways of people to avoid the real problems at hand, it detracts and preoccupied us with the cosmetic battles where a real war needs to be waged.

So I say this, be better, and help our young to strive better. Their love is in abundance, their forgiveness is great, their laughter is a joy to behold. We must create a world where their light will continue to set the world ablaze. We must do what we can to ensure that they will not become cynnical, illogical, irrational, narcissistic, and abrasive personalities that we inadvertently celebrate or broadcast daily on our television sets and social media.

Help our children to be better by being better adults ourselves