Takeaway
Introspection and self-awareness sustains clinicians through medicine's peaks and valleys.
Creative arts in medicine | June 22, 2026 | <1 min read
By Frank Clark, MD, Prisma Health-Upstate, South Carolina
This poem emboldens healthcare professionals, and all people, to work and live with introspection, examining choices, confronting limitations, and remaining open to growth. This ageless playbook offers wisdom for navigating not just careers, but lives of meaning and impact.
Ageless playbook
Flow like a river, focus with intention,
so that balance is attained, and energy
is sustained.
Fly like an eagle, fearless and flexible,
so that purpose finds its footing, for
the journey filled with endless peaks and valleys.
Seek discipline, commit to joy, so that
creative living fills the soul, and your being
remains a bright light in the world.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.