Gotcha!
Back in 2007, before people knew there was such a thing as a "holistic psychiatrist," I received a letter from the Maryland Board that lead to a two-year battle for the right to practice holistically. Thanks to my attorneys, Jacques Simon and Alan Dumoff, the peer review process ultimately led to a successful outcome and set a legal precedent in favor of holistic medicine in Maryland.
When I first read the Board's letter, however, I felt terrified. What I really wanted to do was give up my license, avoid the entire battle with the Board, and start another career (like being a librarian). The Maryland Board had deep pockets, employed the peer reviewers, and had a cadre of attorneys. At that time, the conventionally minded "peers" were routinely removing holistic clinicians' licenses through the peer review process, which denied clinicians any real legal rights. That is, even if the administrative law judge cleared all charges, the Board could still revoke a clinician's license.
However, I felt that God really wanted me to stand up to the Board and help other holistic clinicians by winning this case. I had many "talks" with God about my predicament and concerns. For example, I told God that I couldn't afford the legal fees, so if He wanted me to help, then He'd have to pay for it.
One day, a penetrating spiritual perspective on "money" suddenly came to me: the days of our lives are like "money" given to us, and how we choose to "invest" our days determines whether we enrich our souls. Within this eternal spiritual context, a rich life is not measured by money but by time spent on meaningful pursuits. With that understanding, I committed myself to win an unwinnable case and live my own David-and-Goliath story.
At the beginning of the peer review process, I grossed about $10,000.00 per month, though I was part of a two-income family. The legal proceedings, however, averaged $12,000.00 per month, and during the month of the administrative hearing, it cost $30,000.00. Miraculously, over the course of the two-year battle, the universe brought me financial abundance: my income tripled. Money didn't fall down from the ceiling of course, though that would've been my preference. I had to work hard for it. And during the month that I had to cover $30,000.00 in legal fees, I made enough to cover the fees and the extra expenses for my daughter's tuition and patients' supplements. My faith in God increased as I met my financial obligations successfully.
One way I coped was to imagine my future self looking back on my battle with the Maryland Board, "remembering" how I was during that time, and I tried to live as the person I hoped to be. Day by day, I consciously chose to be the character in the "story" I wanted my future self to "read." I learned as I did this, that I could be a peaceful warrior. Spiritual experiences during this time helped me to remain calm and have faith in a positive outcome.
Finally, when I received the letter from the Maryland Board dropping all charges against me, I felt contented and satisfied with how I invested the days of my life during those difficult times. I saw how the challenges helped my growth. I felt happy about setting a legal precedent, saving my career, and helping other holistic clinicians in the process. Looking back now, ten years later, my memory of that time continues to enrich me, just as I hoped it would.
From that experience and many others, I came to see that, each day, we are investing in our lives through our intentions and choices. Each choice we make reflects who we are and contributes to the individuals we will become. You are in control of how you invest in your life through your actions and inactions, your values and desires. Though you cannot see yourself five or ten years from now, how you invest your days will inevitably influence the quality of life you have down the road.
Invest your days in building and manifesting the hero or heroine you hope to be and the achievements you envision for yourself. Choose what is truly worthwhile today to reap the rewards in the future.
Click here to read more about my battle with the Maryland Board