The Power Of An Inside Joke

Eighteen months ago I met the man of my dreams.

I had just about given up hope of ever meeting the right one for me.

In fact I had just spent three months sick on the couch wondering if I’d ever feel well enough to work and live fully again. ??

For years I had bounced from person to person.

They promised me the world.

But it always descended into a drug-fuelled pit of depression and despair. ?

I began to suspect they enjoyed toying with me.

Giving me hope wrapped up in a plastic bottle or a syringe. ?

Taking my money and running laughing to the bank.

Then one day all that changed.

I met “The One.”?

He was different.

He didn’t care what I could do for him.

He didn’t want to just take my money and send me home with drugs and a false sense of hope. ?

No.

He wanted to know why I was feeling as bad as I did.

He didn’t want to treat the symptoms…

He wanted to understand the cause behind them.

And he listened.

That first meeting ran for nearly an hour while I told him all of my woes.

And he made the simplest suggestion of all…

What you put in, comes out.

We talked about diet and lifestyle and how many supposed healthy foods can cause the very inflammation I was trying to eliminate.

I left his office feeling truly heard, understood, and validated.

And most importantly, I felt I was back in control of my own life again.

Yes, Dr. M was the one alright.

I had finally met the Primary Care Physician of my dreams!

I immediately and radically changed my diet, and within three months had shed thirty pounds and had come off a long list of powerful drugs.

And the best thing was, the “prevention-first” ethos ran throughout the whole practice.

Everyone was on board, from the receptionists to the nurses to the three other doctors in the practice. ?

It shows up in ways that makes it feel like we’re outliers…

We have the secret to health and happiness, and it forms a sort of bond.

It shows up when I phone the receptionists about results or appointments.

?There’s a genuine camaraderie and care that is very precious.

A few weeks ago, I called the office for an appointment.

Jennifer answered in her sing-song voice, and said…?

“Good afternoon, this is Jennifer at…”

There was a pause on the line.

I thought we had been cut off.

“Hello?” I ventured…

Through barely concealed laughter, Jennifer continued…

“Good afternoon, this is Dr. M’s office, Jennifer speaking. How may I help you?”

Then she couldn’t keep it in… she burst out laughing.

When she recovered, she said…?

“I forgot where I worked for a moment!”

We both had a good laugh about it, and each expanded on the joke and gave other examples of when we’ve had “brain freezes” at awkward moments…

Including one I had at an interview for the opportunity of my dreams!

Ever since then when we speak, she laughs when she introduces herself.

It’s the most simple and lovely thing.

We shared a vulnerable moment and made it safe to laugh about.

The safety, security and care their whole practice works both ways.

When we listen to people and make them feel heard and respected, that kindness echoes far beyond the moment it happens in.