Finding The Love that heals us, and gives us courage and confidence

In my many years of medical practice, I’ve often seen the pain and devastation of rocky relationships, substance abuse, low self esteem, fears, and anxieties in so many lives including many of our brave soldiers and veterans. I’ve listened to tender and broken hearts whose burdens of sadness, worries, and anxieties about their physical health, job, money, legal or home-related problems were too much to bear alone.

Their faces and names are different but the stories I’ve heard throughout the years of practicing the art and science of medicine seem to mostly hover around the same theme: Life Is hard, and true Love is hard to find.

Indeed, far too many patients, military and civilians,  I’ve seen and heard are hurt and discouraged by hard life experiences. They feel unloved, and doubtful of ever finding true love in their lives.

Friend, we can’t give what we don’t have. We can’t give away genuine love to others if we don’t receive it and experience it ourselves.

Truly, how can any of us live well without finding such love. Unconditional love liberates us. It strengthens you and me and gives us a sense of purpose. Without it, I can’t be all what I was created to be. And without it, we can’t accomplish all what God destined for us to accomplish.

Higher, purer, unwavering, and unconditional love is what I need. It ‘s what you need. That’s why there must be an ultimate Source of unconditional, unceasing, never-ending and genuine love Who loves us first with no strings attached. A Source who renders us loved, lovely, and lovable. It’s only then that you and I  can begin to love ourselves and others.

This ultimate Source of unconditional love who loved us first is our maker and creator: God

“…God is Love”

1 John 4:8

Renowned American actor, Chris Pratt, who acted in multiple TV productions and movies such as Jurassic World,  and the Guardians of the Galaxy series among many others said it best on June 16,2018 as he was presented with the prestigious Generation Award at the 2018 MTV Music and TV Awards.

“God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do.”

Bishop Michael Curry’s Royal Wedding Sermon

As our country, and the world are challenged by unprecedented suicide rates, I find many who are in urgent need not just for good antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills, but desperately in need of finding genuine love. Gentle, sweet, tender, dependable, friendly, caring, and welcoming  love redeems us from despair and hopelessness. It saves us.

“…Love never ends”

1 Corinthians 13:8

Views expressed here are only of the author, and do not represent the views of any other organization or entity. Information in this blog are not meant to be medical advice. Please see your medical provider or psychologist for any of your medical or psychological concerns.

Adel G. Hanna, M.D.

Author: Soldier To Soldier Heart to Heart

A Doctor’s Stories from a Military Camp

Amazon Author Page

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9/11

Fifteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, America and all what she stands for was hatefully attacked. The utter unexpectedness of an attack in our soil that was both heartless and deadly rallied Americans together. September 11, 2001 united young and old, rich and poor, blacks and whites, Hispanics and Asians.

On that day, and the days that followed, the National Anthem was proudly sang by the many who cherished this nation. On the steps of the Capitol, congressmen and women who disagreed on a multitude of issues, wholeheartedly and unabashedly agreed to proudly stand up in honor of America’s National Anthem and the Red, White, and Blue.

9/11 brought us to our knees to seek comfort and strength from God our maker, and compelled us to patriotically stand up on our feet to honor and salute the flag of the United States of America. 

A lot has changed since then.

For few years after September 11,2001, America’s young millennials answered an inner call of duty, and rushed to join the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marines. Many of them driven by pure patriotism, and consuming zeal and  passion for America deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. They volunteered at the risk of dying for this nation and for the flag for which it stands.

But, a lot has changed since then

Our nation’s millennials and all of us from other generations are now preoccupied, swamped, and consumed by  our smart phones, tablets, social media, constant fun, popularity, appearances, material gains, and ceaseless passions for a plethora of causes that seem so right to us. I’m afraid, many of us are gradually growing distant from the ominous warning of September 11, 2001, and have forgotten the utmost value of standing together for God and country.

America’s young and old, rich and poor, blacks and whites, Hispanics and Asians, irrespective of all of our disagreements and the many yet to be resolved issues, must stand together in honor of what her flag stands for. It is when we stand for America and what her flag represents that we grow closer as citizens. And, it is then that we feel a deep gratitude to God who allowed this nation to be a beacon of light where immigrants, like me and many of you, find happiness, peace, and liberty.

We must never forget 9/11 and the impact it has left on each one of us. Let’s remind ourselves and others, especially our current millennial generation, of how easily and suddenly can our peace in America be disrupted and shattered if we just let our guard down.

United we stand, divided we fall was right on September 11, 2001, and is still right today.

Below, is an article that I’ve written fifteen years ago reflecting on the horror of that day, and its effects on me, my clinic staff, and our nation.

Please read it and share the significance of the 9/11 story with others.

God bless you, and God bless America.

Adel G Hanna, M.D.

Author: Soldier To Soldier Heart to Heart

A Doctor’s Stories from a Military Camp

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Soldier to Soldier, Heart to Heart, Second Edition

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We all come from many childhood homes, and various life experiences that seem to define how we see and perceive ourselves. All of us have experienced various levels of physical, emotional, or spiritual rejection in our past; some mild and annoying, while others horrific and extreme. Many of us live with hurtful and unpleasant childhood, teenage, and adult life memories of being disapproved, unaccepted,  and rejected. To many of us, the weight is too heavy to bear alone and so we reach out at our peril to others, or to anything, in pursuit of rest and relief to our burdened hearts.

Friend, you and I are created with value, worth, and importance. We’re made for a uniquely good life purpose that’s designed specifically for each one of us regardless of the portion or station in life we find ourselves in. Whether confined for a life time to a wheelchair or freely walking, living miserably in the world’s poorest slums or lavishly in the grandest of mansions, we all matter.

What we think and feel about our own value or others’ worth can be akin to a roller coaster ride with many unexpected ups and downs. But our value, worth, and importance mustn’t be determined by ups and downs of opinions and emotions; ours or someone’s, but by faith in true and rock solid facts. Truly, the antidote to the poisonous emotions of disapproval and rejection is recognizing our solid, unchanging, and inherent God -given gift of value that’s freely given to you and I.

The negative thoughts and emotions about ourselves and others that we might harbor; the legacy of hurtful rejections, require a rebooting and an upgrade of our thinking, beliefs, and emotions to what’s new, good and healthy. We must decide to believe in our God-given human value, to take decisive steps to help us embrace what is already ours, and choose to change and reboot our thoughts and beliefs.

You and I are “fearfully, and wonderfully made”. 

You and I are divinely created for a great purpose, and a plan that we can only begin to see and appreciate when we get out of our selfish mindset and beliefs that life is all about us, and our personal interests and gains. It’s only when we’re no longer prisoners of the tyranny of ‘me-myself-and-I’, that we begin to lovingly, passionately, humbly, and compassionately reach out to our fellow men and women in need.

When we finally recognize that life is not just about our comfort and needs, you and I begin to reach out to others in need and to those who’re less fortunate. It’s then that we begin to see our life purpose, the value of all human lives, and our own worth and value.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 40

You  matter.

I matter.

To God we all matter; all colors, looks, body shapes, physical abilities or disabilities.

Our well being and health; body, mind, and spirit matter

No matter how we’re perceived in this world, or past or present failings and failures, our dreams, words, thoughts, joyful and hurtful emotions, physical, mental, financial, and spiritual  health, time, work, gifts and talents are all important, and all matter.

And yes, because you and I immensely matter, Heaven rejoices when our thoughts, words and deeds become loving, caring, and kind to ourselves, families, friends, and to others. 

Indeed, ” No man is an island, entire of itself…any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” as English poet John Donne wisely reflected in his 1624 work.

And friend, aren’t we all tired, in one way or another, consumed, and exhausted from waiting and hoping to capture our value and worth from financial breakthroughs, great accomplishments, and the praises and accolades of others. What a waste of life to wait in grief and anguish for the value, worth, and approval that has already been guaranteed, and granted to each and every one of us.

If we just believe.

but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31(NIV)

Advice and recommendations offered here are not meant to replace your medical provider’s individual evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Please see your medical provider for any physical or emotional concerns.

Views expressed here are only of the author, and do not represent the views of any other organization or entity.

Adel G. Hanna, M.D,

Author: Soldier To Soldier Heart to Heart

A Doctor’s Stories from a Military Camp

Blog: www.adelhanna.com

 Find

Soldier to Soldier, Heart to Heart, Second Edition

And the ebook version of the book

at Amazon, and at Barnes and Noble

Buy Now from Barnes & Noble

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When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd

Matthew 9:36-38

On the surface, America’s Health System appears to be a formidable, well polished multi-billion dollar enterprise headed by well dressed, highly paid CEOs whose main mission is society’s well being. A powerful system that’s forcefully marching forward even as slowing down is the prudent path many of society’s wise are calling for.

It runs tall state of the art hospital buildings that look like fancy hotels, and utilizes multi million dollar electronic medical records (EMR) system that helped transform doctors to data gatherers, clerks and technicians as many doctors complain. Physicians and medical providers lament how the EMR, that has not shown clear patient care benefits to justify its cost, has forever altered the close relationships with their patients.

It commands expensive top of the line advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment, an array of highly priced medications, treatments, and health care premiums that most people can’t afford.

It’s a competitive industry where nonprofit hospitals’ CEOs map their cities’ demographics, and compete fiercely with each other for insured patients in continuous multi million dollar advertising campaigns that promise better technology, better services and better care.

                                                      And so this is what you and I hear and see:

Great architectural hospital buildings, sophisticated, well dressed and highly paid CEOs who remind us how vital to society their medical enterprises are.

Unmatched technological advances, and expensive medications that work.

Slick advertisements that show excellent, caring, and compassionate hospital systems.

And that’s what we begin to believe based on what’s seen and heard: America’s health system is kind, healthy and well. A perfect model for other nations to follow.

But then we run into facts, figures and numbers about America’s health System that begin to question what we hear and see on the surface.

What appears to be is different than what the facts are as the following words show.

“Although life expectancy and survival rates in the United States have improved dramatically over the past century, Americans live shorter lives and experience more injuries and illnesses than people in other high-income countries. A growing body of research is calling attention to this problem, with a 2011 report by the National Research Council confirming a large and rising international “mortality gap” among adults age 50 and older. The U.S. health disadvantage cannot be attributed solely to the adverse health status of racial or ethnic minorities or poor people, because recent studies suggest that even highly advantaged Americans may be in worse health than their counterparts in other countries.”

Excerpts from: U.S. Health in International Perspective

Shorter Lives, Poorer Health

National Research Council (US); Institute of Medicine (US). Edited by Steven H Woolf and Laudan Aron.

Other highlights of the above report according to Richard Know in an online article titled “U.S Ranks Below 16 Other Rich Countries In Health Report,” the following are other important highlights of this nearly 378 pages report:

“Strikingly, even Americans who are white, insured, college-educated and upper-income are worse off than their counterparts around the world — a finding that no one quite understands.

“The report also finds that the U.S. fares worse in nine health domains: birth outcomes, injuries and homicides, teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, drug-related mortality, obesity and diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, and disability.”

The above report provides clear data that despite the astronomical expense  and the great advances of medicine in America specifically in areas such as “cancer screening and mortality, control of high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking rates, and suicides”, society’s physical and emotional health is worsening instead of improving.

But why? 

On the surface everything looks and sounds good: Magnificent buildings, billions of dollars in profits, and media ads depicting peaceful, happy and healthy people feeling and getting better.

But as I read the report, I begin to reflect.

All looks so well, so calm. But much like the Titanic sailing amidst a star laden skies in its seemingly peaceful transatlantic voyage, our American Health System might very well be heading towards a giant, unseen iceberg. America is losing its primary care physicians at alarming speeds due to burnout, stress, and frustration with rushed, and the increasingly shorter, one-on-one patients’ visits. This rising tide of discontent can be seen with physicians curtailing their practice, quitting the practice of medicine, and early retirements

Our health system is bound to collide sooner or later with this massive iceberg of: Burnt out primary care physicians leaving patient care by the droves and not having enough experienced providers to replace them fast enough. Fewer medical students choosing primary care, and many of the newly hired primary care physicians eventually following the same predictable path of burning out and leaving.

And a deteriorating quality of medical care which is the expected outcome of rushed visits that lead to unsatisfied patients, unaddressed physical and emotional issues, and a rise in medical errors.

According to an article by the Washington Post: Health & Sciences (washingtonpost.com/Kaiser Health News)

” Patients of satisfied doctors are more likely to show up for their appointments and adhere to treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, studies show. Another survey found dissatisfied physicians reporting more difficulty than other doctors in caring for patients.”

“The lack of an adequate primary-care infrastructure in the U.S. is a huge obstacle to creating a high-performing health-care system,” said David Blumenthal, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a health-care research foundation.”

Is the VA system facing similar challenges and is the same iceberg awaiting in its course?

Advice and recommendations offered here are not meant to replace your medical provider’s individual evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Please see your medical provider for any physical or emotional concerns.

Views expressed here are only of the author, and do not represent the views of  any other organization or entity.

Adel G Hanna, M.D.

Author: Soldier To Soldier, A Doctor’s stories from a Military Camp

www.adelhanna.com

You can buy the Book and ebook from:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Visit My Author page at

Amazon Author Page

The post Taking Care of America’s sick and Veterans the God Way. Part 3 appeared first on Alpha & Omega Healing Arts Dr. Hanna.

The Journey from War to Peace

  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace

Ecclesiastes 3:8

Many of our war veterans, even though outwardly living in the warmth and quietness of their homes in America, or in open spaces under relatively peaceful city bridges, are still inwardly fighting the Vietcong in the deadly jungles, hills, and rice fields of Vietnam.

Many of our heroes who once bravely battled the insurgents in the streets and market places of Baghdad and Mosul are still battling fierce wars within their souls and minds.

They’re in perpetual physical, emotional, and spiritual battles for peace, rest, and victory within.

Many of America’s veterans have risked their lives in some of the world’s worst and bloodiest battle fronts. Yet, even though they’ve left the war zones behind, the war zones have not yet left their minds and hearts.

Their war still rages on.

Our Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan fierce combat veterans often say the wars they fought oceans away, hard as they were, are often not as overwhelming as the wars of worries about the future, anxieties about jobs and finances, fears, guilt, PTSD, depression, bottled anger, and the formidable challenges of trying to fit in society as citizens.

Our veterans, many physically and emotionally wounded and scarred, need help beyond money and gifts, great sounding political slogans, a holiday in their honor, or momentary expressions of patriotism and gratefulness by our nation. What they most need is the healing and restoration of their hearts and minds.

What their souls need can’t be found in monetary abundance, in the temporary effects of chronic pain pills, or in more legislated rules and regulations that desperately attempt to please and  fulfill every veteran’s want and desire regardless of the untoward consequences.  

Friend, this inner healing of a veteran’s heart can only occur when our society as a whole and America’s medical providers in particular begin to take care of our wounded veterans

The God Way.

The God Way is about taking care of every veteran, and all of our society’s sick and broken, with genuine care, love and compassion. It’s about investing time on the well-being and healing of each broken and wounded heart, and not on the financial rewards, bonuses, and gains that each veteran and patient would bring.

The God Way  comes alive when we as medical providers are equipped and encouraged by those in authority over us to spend time and treat veterans, and all patients, not as numbers but as God’s wonderful creation. Not as bodies and souls plagued by physical and emotional diseases, but as individuals with needs much like yours and mine.

An Iraq war combat veteran once shared with me his dream and aspiration of finishing college despite all his war related physical and emotional hardships. To care for him The God Way simply meant I would  have but one motive which is to genuinely and compassionately care for him and dedicate ample time to the healing of his body, mind and spirit. Not to treat him as a number, a source of added bonus, or a financial asset but to treat him the way I want to be treated.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

Adel Gobran Hanna, M.D.

Author: Soldier to Soldier, Heart to Heart

A Doctor’s Stories from a Military Camp

   Visit my Author Page at Amazon

Amazon Author Page

 Buy

Soldier to Soldier, Heart to Heart, Second Edition

at Amazon

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The post Taking Care of Our Veterans The God Way. Part One appeared first on Alpha & Omega Healing Arts Dr. Hanna.