Lost dreams and sold souls

By MARY JANE HOLT
Contributing Writer

I met John Grisham the year he pretty much self-published his first book, "A Time To Kill." He gave me a copy, yep, the very first printing! I remember his spirit and his personality, not the typical lawyer prototype so many have come to expect from the profession. Meeting him and having him inscribe that book to me remains a highlight of my writing career.

I've met other successful authors over the past 18 years and had the opportunity to interview a number in depth, but not many have ever made it into this column. I don't really care how many books an author has written or sold, and "good" publicity campaigns do not always get it. What I care about is soul.

Does the author's work have soul? Does the author have soul? Or did he sell it at some point in exchange for the almighty dollar, or just to be able to survive while trying to follow a nearly eclipsed dream? Sadly, dreams are lost and souls get sold everyday.

So when I meet somebody who, on his or her journey and that's what it is, you know, it's always a journey has not sold out, then I'm impressed. It is so easy to give in to the many pressures of life that can hide from our view even the very purpose for which we know we were born.

And what would that be? Every major religion captures within its framework the essence of what life is all about. Put simply, we are here to do unto our fellow travelers as we would have them do unto us. Give love - get love. Care - Be cared for. Give - Receive.

It really is simple. Trouble is what we call our lives have become very complex. There's rent or mortgages to be paid; clothing, food and other basic needs to pay for; vehicles to purchase and gas to make them run; and oh, yes, quality of time to spend with all those we know and love.

Just keeping up with it all is a 25-hour-a-day ritual. Maintaining some state of mindfulness regarding what it's all about well, now that's another story.

I love it when my husband says, "Have I told you lately that I love you?" Those are beautiful words. Yes, he's told me, and he lives a life that proves it to me. I am extraordinarily blessed.

And that brings me to my personal journey. I often feel that I was allowed to come to earth to spend my time here reminding folks of what's really important. Most of the time I do this in what I perceive to be very positive ways. Occasionally, I may resort to what can be perceived by both myself and others as negative efforts. The truth is, it's just all part of my journey in the midst of which there are a number of dreams, visions and goals of which, by the grace of God, I have not lost sight.

So when I meet someone who is staying his or her course, who knows why he is here and is following his heart to the limit, I am really impressed, because I know how hard it is to do that.

I had the opportunity this week to interview Marty Sullivan, M.D. at length. I got a glimpse of Dr. Sullivan's journey. I referred to what he is doing as fighting a battle. He corrected me.

We all have our battles, sometimes the big ones can consume us. As the battle does that, it truly is the rare individual who can recognize that the battle is part of the journey. But rarer still is that individual who does not perceive the challenges of life as battles, and who can walk on with confidence toward the visions his soul makes clear along the way.

On his journey, Dr. Sullivan is seeking to educate the public regarding the difference between a cure and a healing, while promoting advancements in both areas. He has been widely published and recently founded The Institute for Healing in Society and Medicine after 20 years of experience in administration, clinical research, and education in academic medicine at Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Sullivan founded the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine and was the cofounder of the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine. He initiated the S.E.A.R.C.H. study, Support Education And Research in Chronic Heart failure, an ongoing project at Duke. His unique approach to the practice of medicine and significant experience in physician education, clinical practice, and program development may make him a real Renaissance Doc. I invite you to check him out at www.healinginmedicine.org.