Look inside yourself first

When I started to wonder about India's religions, I realized I can't just think in an objective, cerebral manner. As a matter of fact, I don't think anyone can rightfully think about religions without some degree of introspection.  

Last month I came across Diana L. Eck's Encountering God and borrowed a copy from the public library. This book captured my heart as well as my mind. I read every word and found so many surprises and confirmations.  I knew this was a good book because it passed the Bus Test: Any time I read a really good  book on the bus on my morning commute to work, I would miss my stop. :)

I'm now reading some other titles by Eck, including Darsan: seeing the divine image in India, and Banaras City of Light. So far I have not been disappointed. And yes, these two titles have already passed the Bus Test. 

2012 Update

     pic 2012 by me

     The past two years I've been on a journey of a different sort...I've been learning how to help my mother with her advanced cancer care. It's been a hellish ordeal. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, yet cancer happens to too many people everyday.     

     In order to care for my mother, I've had to give up two golden opportunities to visit India (summers 2010 and 2011). Now I'm happy to announce I have another chance to visit and study in India...I've been awarded my 2012 Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship (yes, they make you re-apply)...but due to budget cuts, applications could not be reviewed in a timely manner. Hence, the 2012 scholarships have been moved to July 2013. 

     And you know what? Everything will be okay. I've been through so much drama since June 2010 that this minor setback pales in comparison. The GOOD NEWS is that my mother's cancer is in remission, and that I have my 2013 Award in hand. 

Is this a bittersweet pill?

Perhaps.

More sweet than bitter, I think.

     I am blessed. This summer I now have time to rediscover my love of running in road races...and rediscover my faith in all things possible.

I also want to thank everyone for your continued prayers. Prayers are good. Prayers work.

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

- Alexander Graham Bell.

Cancer, Determination, and Librarianship

Lately I’ve been reading The emperor of all maladies: a biography of cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee. It’s been a fascinating read, especially in light of my mother’s current battle with cancer.

Mukherjee‘s broad treatment of the history of cancer includes a few chapters of Sidney Farber, who championed the research of the use of chemicals to treat cancer, especially leukemia. The use of chemicals, now referred to as chemotherapy, was unheard of in the 1940s. In 1948 Farber published a paper which described his use of chemicals to treat leukemia. His paper was received by the medical world “with skepticism, disbelief, and outrage.”

I write this blog post not as a book review. I don’t review books. I'm writing this post because Farber was a practitioner who believed in his work with every fiber in his body. With the publication of his findings, Farber …."was throwing down a gauntlet for cancer medicine. It was then up to an entire generation of doctors and scientist to pick it up.”

He was one brave and very determined man. It’s not hard to imagine the sneers and jeers he must have received. He not only stood up to doctors and scientists (they can be a feisty lot), but he challenged everyone with his amazing discovery.

His determination and strength impress me enough to post on my dusty blog. As school librarians, we have to push ahead with strength and determination…in spite of some teachers’ eye-rolling and resistance.


I’m not sure what next year’s budget axe will bring. I might not even have a job.


But I’m going to do my best to remember Farber’s willpower in the coming months. And if do still have a school librarian position next year, I’m going to remember Farber’s fearless determination. I hope you will too.


Thanks for stopping by my blog.