Life is mostly froth and bubble
Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.
—Adam Lindsay Gordon
That’s a poem from the book Tools of the Trade: Poems for Young Doctors, which is given to all doctors graduating from Scotland’s medical schools. It includes the sentiment,
Being a doctor is a privilege; it is also very demanding and can be stressful, and to be able to look after others, we need to look after ourselves. We offer you this little book of poetry, Tools of the Trade, as a friend to provide inspiration, comfort and support in your work.
—Tools of the Trade 2nd edition
It is published primarily for the doctors, but a small number of copies are sold each year to help with fundraising for the project.
How cool is that?
very cool indeed.
and I’m so glad it’s still given to young doctors!
and as you say… its wisdom is for everybody.
It made me happy to read about it.
Very cool, Jean, very cool. I loved it!
Me too!
could be on the list of “gifts” for a number of other trades…
Yes. 🙂
It should be made mandatory that every doctor reads both every morning before s/he starts practice.
I’m afraid that it would be counterproductive to make it mandatory. 🙁