Sometimes the idea of removing negativity and ending unhealthy behaviors can be quite overwhelming. Rather than trying to do a complete overnight transformation, as is the temptation, we can try to view ourselves as a cup.

Yes—a cup.

The logic in this approach comes from the idea that a cup can only hold so much volume. The more you fill a cup, the more that whatever was previously filling it will spill out. Full cups can be heavy and ridding ourselves of habits that might even be toxic is not easy. Instead of trying to dump out everything you don’t want to keep, make less room for the negativity by adding in positive changes.

This approach can take many forms, such as walking 2-3 times per week or utilizing a gratitude journal. We can also try waking up at a set time, limiting our screen time before bed, or jotting down a list of tasks we want to complete the following day so that we wake up with a plan.

There is no hard and fast rule for this approach. Timing can be up to you, and it can change if you find yourself struggling to remain consistent. The goal is not to become the picture of perfection and (ironically) become toxically positive. The goal is to realize our potential and address obstacles that prevent us from doing so.  

So, start small. Ask others on a similar journey for tips and advice. Learn as you go and undertake new, positive ways to fill your cup.

Before we realize it, we will be so full of behaviors that promote our health and wellbeing that we find that old behaviors, thought processes, and even certain people simply cannot occupy our cup. We will realize, one day, that we literally have no room left for negativity.

And I’d take a cup of that.

It may seem rather strange for a pop song to take on the subject of death and dying, but Nora Guthrie, a 17-year-old dancer and her boyfriend at the time, Eric Eisner, did just that. They wrote something of a small miracle during the Summer of Love, a long-forgotten 45 titled ‘Emily’s Illness’, twinkling with the steady tempo of harpsichord and acoustic guitar. Although the instrumentation evokes characteristics of sunshine pop and easy-listening music, Eisner’s lyrics seem to plumb deeper veins. They even overwhelmed Nora’s own vocal interpretation: 

“I was scared of the song. I was scared of Eric – watching him write that song scared me. And watching him play it as well. Those feelings of watching Eric as he played this thing for me were very overwhelming. He had a little nylon-string guitar, and we played everything in the dark bedroom light. When he played, he'd kind of curl over his guitar and sing in a very, very soft voice. He would make a circle with his body, with music coming up through his spine and then down to his head and back into his guitar. It was kind of 'from him, to him'".

‘Emily’s Illness’ is the story of an artist’s creation, of Emily putting a little life into something that has never been done before. As she lies in bed and drinks “a lot of hot things” with “assorted pills”, she finds her strength through her identity as a music composer. It’s an identity as inseparable from her as a physical illness, with music and her blood blooming from all the same places. Just as a composer may transcribe one key or cleft to another, Emily has transcribed the whole of her life into her art. She has been given new life through her music. Death does not seem to exist for her, and perhaps one day her living art may speak for others long after she’s gone. I hope that in my own small way, I can protect Emily from another kind of death, obscurity. 

It’s rare for pop music and all its allure to express such frightening taboos like death and dying with as unadorned a language as Eisner’s. Nothing seems overwrought or romanticized. I suppose that if there’s anything to learn from Emily, it is this: death can kill our darlings and prune our flowery turns of phrase. What is left but that which is real and true? 

As my journey through medical school draws to a close, I’ve been fortunate to have the ability to look back on my years at McGovern with fond memories. I still can’t believe that my four years here have already flown by, and now my classmates and I are in the middle of prime interview season for residency. Time sure passes by in a hurry and if I could go back to tell my first-year self a piece of advice, it would be to enjoy every minute of it. The ups and down throughout medical school will turn into this beautiful mountainous landscape of wonderful memories, close bonds, and joyous success. The lows of exam weeks will be turned into funny memories of late night Whataburger runs while sitting on the floor in the LRC drawing anatomy sketches on the white board. The difficult parts of medical school will be overshadowed by the friendships that are made and the sense of everything being right as you walk across the stage as a doctorate at the end of this rewarding journey. 

Although everything seems brighter on this side of the adventure, I know what it feels like when you are in the middle of exam week, sleep deprived and stressed. This is not to belittle those feelings, but to remind you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t wait to see every single one of you feel this sense of accomplishment as you get closer to the moment when you finally get to call yourself a doctor. If I could give one additional piece of advice, it would be to ensure a minimum of one day off a week from medical school. Enjoy a free day away from Anki and spend time with your friends and family. Go for a run, do some mindful meditation, play with a dog, and recharge your battery. Make sure that the world of medicine doesn’t control your life, as you have so much more to live for than what’s inside the walls of the hospital. Best of luck with your own path through medical school and know that we are all rooting for your success. 

| Marisa McDow

Pushups for Vets

Wednesday, November 2 at 1pm

Lawn in front of JJL [In the event of rain, Leather Lounge]

Whether you can do 1 or many pushups, join us in our annual friendly pushup competition in honor of those who served and sacrificed. There will be swag for participants!

Reserve your spot now - first come, first served!

Complete the following steps to participate:

❶ Go to the Houston Food Bank Volunteer Opportunities Calendar

❷ Advance calendar to November

❸ Select the 1p – 4p Portwall Afternoon – TEAM A shift on Thursday, November 3

❹ Complete the registration - Your registration is your commitment to serve

❺ Forward your registration confirmation email along with your preferred t-shirt size to MS.Wellness@uth.tmc.edu

Annual Donation Drive | Nov 10 - Dec 1

Stay tuned for details

Immune-Boosting Smoothie

3-Ingredient Side Dishes

Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Chocolate Chip

Banana Bread