September 11, 2012 Last night I rediscovered this post on my old website. On the memorial date that changed the world's events forever, and thus our lives, I felt it was appropriate to repost it. Especially now as the spouse of an active duty Marine Corps Infantry Officer, I find this post more meaningful than when I first wrote it. May you continue to find gratitude in all parts of your life including the stranger or person standing next to you. Every-body is extraordinary with an extraordinary story.
February 7, 2010 by Haunani Chong
About two weeks ago I was truly blessed to attend a reception sponsored by the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine with special guest Naomi Judd in San Diego, California. The reception, titled "Journey into Healing," turned out to be spiritually uplifting and confirmed the path I’m walking on now and the path that lies before me.
Starting off as an inspirational speech, inviting doctors to consider the more subtle aspects of whole-being (like emotional and spiritual health), the reception turned into a night of promoting and advocating integrative health and wellness solutions for ALL, including our service men, women and veterans.
Towards the end of an hour-long, interactive, and surprising, funny speech, Miss Judd concluded by reading a letter from her lifelong friend. Miss Judd's friend was a mother who watched her son's life change, transform, and eventually end because he chose to live his life's purpose (dharma)—serving in our Country's military. This letter was brutally honest, heart-wrenching and at the same time life-promoting. What struck my heart-chords the most was the line, "Will my country ever learn to love the way he loved for our country?” Tears filled my eyes.
For the past two weeks, I've taken this same question personally. Will I ever learn to love the way he loved for my country and me? I am touched by this young gentleman's selflessness. He was willing to sacrifice it all for my freedom. And yours. My freedom to be here now writing this blog, to attend a post-graduate degree in Asian Medicine, to teach yoga and to have the ability to share my ideas and thoughts in public. That's love, unconditional love—to serve in a way that allows others to live their dreams.
So, what's your love?
My love is humanity. My love is you. My love is medicine. My calling is to serve all of humanity by improving medicine by integrating holistic mind-body solutions into clinics, hospitals and all lives, especially the military system.
Today, I ask you: what do you love so much that you’d be willing to sacrifice it all?