With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

My wife and I recently returned from personal and professional activities in Guatemala. Since the total flight was six hours, including layovers, my wife shared with me a book titled "Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light."

I was not particularly enthusiastic about reading a book about a saintly woman with whom I could hardly relate. However, once I started the book I could not put it down. Here is what I learned, and this directly relates to some of the insightful comments from our stress community:

• Mother Teresa had a calling to work among the poor in the slums of Calcutta. The church leaders at that time were highly skeptical and were not at all supportive of her efforts. However, with tenacity, perseverance, and a sense of mission, the church leaders stepped aside and Mother Teresa created her legacy.
• Mother Teresa experienced a longing, a void, a spiritual absence which haunted her for many decades. She sought the guidance of a wise spiritual counselor who suggested that she simply "accept it." This feeling could not be dismissed, it would not go away, yet with an attitude of acceptance and resignation and embracing uncertainty, Mother Teresa, by her own writings, achieved a state of peace, harmony and serenity.

So, I think the same tactics apply to us. Each of us on a daily basis struggles with unfairness, illness, uncertainty, and yet we stumble forward with a sense of community and connectedness and with the grace and support of our fellow pilgrims.

By the way, Mother Teresa also acknowledged "I have no time for myself" and periodically would go on a week-long retreat to become revived and rejuvenated.

Another important lesson for each of us mere mortals. May our days ahead be filled with peace, health, prosperity and serenity.

Dr. Ed

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