It's not about curing the disease, but healing the life; then the physical benefits come.
Bernie SiegelRead
I have learned to become not an M.D. but a 'C.D.' for the wounded people I meet. Yes, a 'Chosen Dad' who may not like their behavior but loves and reparents them and helps them to heal their lives and find self-worth and self-esteem and save their lives.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of nurturing and unconditional love in helping others heal and regain self-worth.
Bernie Siegel highlights the transformative power of love and support in the healing process. By positioning himself not as a medical doctor but as a 'Chosen Dad,' Siegel underscores the role of emotional connection and guidance in helping wounded individuals overcome their struggles. He advocates for nurturing relationships that foster self-esteem and personal growth, suggesting that compassion can be as vital as clinical intervention in the journey to recovery.
Themes
LoveHealingSupportSelf-WorthCompassion
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about mental health awareness, you might say, 'We all have a 'Chosen Dad' in our lives that shows us the power of unconditional love.'
More from Bernie Siegel
All quotes →Diseases can be our spiritual flat tires - disruptions in our lives that seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way.
Bernie SiegelRead
It is astounding how much the immune system is strengthened by reducing daily mental stress levels with either visualization or meditation. The other great tonic for the immune system is love—loving ourselves as well as others.
Bernie SiegelRead
I truly feel the best doctors are ones who are criticized by nurses, patients and family. They do not make excuses and learn from their mistakes.
Bernie SiegelRead
Part of my evolution has been to learn how painful most people's childhoods are. They grow up not liking themselves, not loving themselves. Ask people if they were lovable the minute they were born, and watch them sit back and have to think about it. One lady said, 'I suppose so.' That's painful.
Bernie SiegelRead
Being a survivor doesn't mean being strong - it's telling people when you need a meal or a ride, company, whatever. It's paying attention to heart wisdom, feelings, not living a role, but having a unique, authentic life, having something to contribute, finding time to love and laugh. All these things are qualities of survivors.
Bernie SiegelRead
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