Prodigal Medic....

I had a conversation with a dear friend last night that’s had me thinking ever since. They are in a position where they are working with an icon in their profession, someone who is regarded as wise like Yoda, the kind of person who never seems to make mistakes.

 Unfortunately, they are facing the reality that people are human and that no one is perfect, and even those we respect the most are tragically flawed. We are all human, right?

 I spent all day yesterday, from 4 am when coverage started, to the time I fell asleep about 5 pm, watching the inauguration and all the associated festivies. I was fascinated with not only the democratic process, but also the person of Barack Obama, and even more so, in watching other people’s reaction to him.

 My own views aside for now, I looked objectively at so many who wept openly when Obama took the Oath of Office, so many that were swept up in a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves and finding the embodiment of this hope and sense of purpose wrapped up in one human being.

 That made me concerned for what one reporter described “the day when we see beyond his skin color and what he’s overcome and it will no longer be what he inherited from Bush, but it will the Obama presidency.” I think then too, so many will feel something sad, when it is recognized that President Obama is actually even more what made those that believe so much in him connect to him in the first place: he was always just a regular guy.

 There is a striking difference there between our President and my friend and their situation. I see two very normal people, charged with leadership and responsibility. One has been extremely open about the tough days ahead, that things wont get better overnight, and that he will make mistakes. My friend’s boss, rather than acknowledge that he too is human and sharing his burdens, struggles solidly onward, in many ways alone and isolated. In his choice to do so, he has made falling off his pedestal not only harder for himself, but for all those around him.

 I think we do well to admire those people who have achieved greatness in one way or another, as individuals, professionally or as leaders for social change. I fear though that we put so much hope in them, that they become idolized, and only able to fall farther and harder, causing greater disillusionment and hurt.

 I think the world would be a greater place with more transparency, more people honest about their shortcomings and struggles. Leaders have to inspire, but to pretend to be superhuman only causes pain for them and those around them. I think we would also be healthier as individuals if we didn’t also try to not let people see our weakness. There is strength in transparency and gathering those around us who we allow to support us and carry us and council us and keep us strong enough to inspire those around us who look at each of us as a leader and an example. 

And lets just remember that we all put our pants on one leg at a time.