Category: Writing

UNMATCHED SOCKS AND A LEADER IS BORN, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Writing

On his first day of school, a small, 7-year-old boy nervously waited for his school bus in rural Connecticut. As he entered the bus clutching his schoolbag, you could clearly see that his left sock was a bright blue and his right sock canary yellow.

When kids remarked that he made an obvious error, he shrugged.

“Uh uh. Not a mistake,” he’d answer.

“Why?” they asked. “Why not a mistake?”

“Just not.”

And that’s how it went. Year after year. NEVER A MATCHING SOCK. It became his trademark.

Flash ahead 11 years.

The little boy is now 18, 6′,2″, captain of the swim team, a starter on the championship water polo team, and successfully started “Meatless Mondays” at his high school. His goal is to help save the planet.

In all those years he never wore matching socks.

When he wrote his college essay, he attributed the start of his becoming a leader to his decision to never match his socks.

When I asked him why he decided to do that, he said, “Well, it started out that I really didn’t want to bother finding the matching sock in the sock-drawer. Then I kind of liked wearing whatever I wanted. Now, I believe that we should all have the right to be who we are, as long as we’re not hurting others. Why should anyone dictate how others should live? Why should my socks have to match if I don’t want them to? To be a leader it is important to really listen to others. It’s not my place to tell someone how to live, but to try and get everyone to work together for the good of the team.” He is pro-choice (abortion, LGBTQ, and racial equality).

I love and respect this boy, now a determined young man.

I wish I had his instincts and courage when I was younger.

But, no complaints.

He’s my daughter’s son, and he learned from the best.

Thanks for reading. Have a thankful Thanksgiving.

Art

#Leaders, #Courage, #Pro-choice

I REALLY LIKE JARED GOFF, AND I DON’T EVEN KNOW HIM, by Art Smukler, MD, author & psychiatrist

by artsmuklermd, posted in Writing

Jared Goff is a 29 y/o NFL quarterback. In 2016 he was the first pick by the LA Rams, and in 2018 he led them to the Super Bowl. Then after a few disappointing seasons, Sean McVay, the Rams head coach was on board (as far as I know) to trade him to the Detroit Lions. Now two years later, the Lions are at the top of their division, and the Rams are at the bottom of their’s.

It got me thinking about my first day at Penn State when I was scheduled to meet with a guidance counselor.

I entered a small room and Mr. Lancaster, a blond, medium built guy, stood up from behind his little desk. He held out his hand and I shook it. He motioned for me to sit down in one of the two chairs across from him.

“Welcome to Penn State, Arthur,” he said.

“Art. Just Art. Thanks.”

“I was looking over your application and transcript,” he held up a folder. “I see you went to Central High, one of the best schools in Philly.”

I nodded.

“So, what are your interests? Any ideas about choosing a major?”

“Yeah, uh, I was thinking about pre-med.”

He looked back at my folder and scrunched up his face. “You got a D in calculus, a D in chemistry, a C in physics. Excellent grades in everything else.” He sighed. “How about an alternative?”

I shrugged.

“Pre-med at Penn State focuses on the sciences.” He pulled out a curriculum pamphlet. “Four years of chemistry, a year of physics, introductory calculus and advanced calculus, a full year of technical German, genetics, cat anatomy, histology, just to name the basics. Science is your weakest subject.”

I nodded. He was right.

“I’d recommend making another choice. Go for a BA in English or history. Stay away from the sciences.”

“But then I can’t become a doctor.”

“Well, not everyone can be a doctor. Any other questions?” he asked, obviously wrapping up my first, and last, counseling session at PSU.

“Not really,” I answered, left, and walked back to my dorm.

Later that evening it struck me that Lancaster spent a total of maybe ten minutes with me. At least he might have suggested that I take a few science classes and then make a decision as to my future. The next day, as an English Major, I signed up for all the same classes as the pre-meds.

So why didn’t Sean McVay try a little harder with 26 year-old Jarod Goff? Maybe he did? I don’t know. But, no matter what was going on, Jarod found his own way without McVay.

I wish I were 6 inches taller, 80 pounds heavier, and had an arm like a bazooka. I can only imagine the thrill of playing football in front of over 100,00 screaming fans. On the other hand, I wouldn’t relish being pummeled by 300 pound defensive linemen or making an errant pass to an opposing linebacker. Having my neck potentially broken definitely scares me.

My only similarity to Jarod Goff is that neither of us gave up. He became a really good quarterback and I became a really good doctor. Not perfect. But who is?

No matter how old you are, or what you want to accomplish, don’t give up! Don’t let others dictate your future. Of course be reasonable. Mr. Lancaster was right in that not everyone can become a doctor, but he was wrong to assume that I was one of those people. At this moment in time, it seems that McVay was also wrong about Jarod Goff not being good enough to be an LA Ram..

Maybe the people in your life are wrong to assume that you can’t accomplish your dream? Maybe they’re right. That’ll be your call. Whether you take their advice or make your own lonely decision is what growing up is all about, no matter how old you are.

Thank you for reading. Make sure to check out how Joe Belmont and Jake Bennett overcame the adversity in their lives. It might make you smile now that you know a little about the author.

Art

#JarodGoff, #LARAMS, #SeanMcVay, #NFL, #Don’tGiveUp, #PSU, #Premed, #LITTLEITALY, #PATIENTX, #Mysteries