This blog is about the profession which I admire and respect a lot. I got a chance to co-author with Dr Landon Eggleston to present a nice thoughtful post too.
A truly resonant reflection, Vsuma. There is a profound paradox in the idea that we often find ourselves most clearly when we are looking outward at the needs of others. Your exploration of 'selfless pursuits' reminds me that purpose doesn't always have to be loud or achievement-oriented, sometimes it’s just the quiet act of being useful. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to step outside the 'self' for a moment.
As someone who frequently seeks medical treatment for autoimmune issues, I haven’t always been happy with my interactions with doctors. You’ve combined the two perspectives —consumer and provider—in a way that helps me appreciate the concern for patients that physicians feel.
There’s a meaningful contrast here between how medicine is perceived and how it is actually lived. The shift from “selfless” to “purposeful” adds depth without diminishing respect.
It makes the work feel more human and less idealized...
The transition from admiration of the profession to the lived experience adds depth and honesty. This captures the reality of showing up in critical moments and then stepping away without recognition. There’s something meaningful in that kind of work, and you conveyed it clearly.
There is something slightly incomplete in the question, as if admiration could be placed neatly inside a single profession, as if it could be resolved by choosing one name and closing the matter there.
I could say teacher. I could say firefighter, police officer, doctor, nurse. I could give you the expected answer and it would not be false. But it would not be true either, not in the way the question seems to ask for.
Because what I admire is not the profession. It is the moment inside it.
It is the teacher standing in front of a room where understanding has not yet formed, and choosing, again and again, to believe that it will. Not as optimism, but as a discipline. The quiet insistence that something can be reached, even when it resists.
It is the firefighter moving toward what everyone else is built to flee, not because they are fearless, but because fear is no longer the measure that decides the direction of the body.
It is the doctor or the nurse at the edge of a body that is failing, where time tightens and language becomes insufficient, and still they remain, working within that narrow space where something might still be preserved.
It is the one who holds a line, visible or invisible, between order and its absence, knowing that the line is never stable, never fully secure.
None of this belongs to a single profession. It repeats across them, in different forms, under different pressures. What I admire is not the title, but the willingness to enter difficulty and stay there, not for recognition, not for certainty, but because someone else needs that space to be held.
So if I am asked which profession I admire the most, I find I cannot answer in the singular.
I admire any work that carries another person through something they could not cross alone.
It makes you realize that healing is not always seen, but it is always happening somewhere in the background. Truly thoughtful writing from both voices. beautiful as always, dear.
A truly resonant reflection, Vsuma. There is a profound paradox in the idea that we often find ourselves most clearly when we are looking outward at the needs of others. Your exploration of 'selfless pursuits' reminds me that purpose doesn't always have to be loud or achievement-oriented, sometimes it’s just the quiet act of being useful. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to step outside the 'self' for a moment.
Hey Swonam
Thanks for such a thoughtful comment😃.
Thanks for reading and supporting this post 🙏🏿
☮️💜☮️💜
So glad this resonated. Thank you for taking time to read it closely 🤗
As someone who frequently seeks medical treatment for autoimmune issues, I haven’t always been happy with my interactions with doctors. You’ve combined the two perspectives —consumer and provider—in a way that helps me appreciate the concern for patients that physicians feel.
True this oust gives a perspective of a doctor which many of is are unaware of.
This is a very purposeful post written by Dr.Landon I firmly believe
Thanks Deanne for reading and commenting too💜
☮️🤗☮️💜
What a beautiful reflection. Thank you for this. I’m so glad you liked the piece 💓
This is beautifully written both sides of the story matter. Respect for the unseen work and quiet purpose behind it. Powerful perspective.
So glad you liked it. Thanks for reading:)
🙏🤗✌️
Thanks John
Glad to note that this post resonated with your thoughts 🙏🏿
Thanks for such a nice comment 🙏🏿
☮️💜☮️💜☮️
you are very welcome 🙏🤗✌️
There’s a meaningful contrast here between how medicine is perceived and how it is actually lived. The shift from “selfless” to “purposeful” adds depth without diminishing respect.
It makes the work feel more human and less idealized...
Yes it is definitely human. Glad you picked up on that. Thank you for reading, Adrien
Wow 🤩
A beautiful comment to read indeed 💕
Thanks for reading and commenting too 🙏🏿
💜☮️💜☮️💜
The transition from admiration of the profession to the lived experience adds depth and honesty. This captures the reality of showing up in critical moments and then stepping away without recognition. There’s something meaningful in that kind of work, and you conveyed it clearly.
Nicely done ladies.
Thank you, Monica! So glad you liked it
Thanks Monica 💜
True the transition from my part of admiration to the next part of reality is smooth and engaging💪🏿💪🏿
Dr. Landon is an amazing person who has this gift writing very nicely
I admire her as well as her profession too 🙏🏿🤗
Thanks Monica for the support . You are a kind soul 🤗
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This definitely has to be one of the best posts i read on substack ❤️
I love how you balanced it from an outsider and insider perspective :)
Being a doctor myself i felt so happy and proud reading the first part and also emotional when i came to the end of it 🥹
Uma you’re such an amazing writer, And i love how you write on various topics and you excel in each one of them 🤍
And so proud of you Dr Landon, its becoz of ppl like you someone is able to breath again. You truly are Gods messenger. 🤍
Thank you so much for your kind words. They brought tears to my eyes. And thank you for all you do as well 🤍
That’s so humble of you ❤️
Keep doing the great work doc, so proud of you ❤️
Hello Doctor Srija 👩⚕️🩺
Humbled by your lovely and encouraging comment 🙏🏿
Being a doctor yourself , it must be easy to understand our views and opinion about this profession of being a doctor.
Very happy to note this was one of the best post you have read In Substack 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Support and love helps all of us to grow dear🙏🏿
Humbled by your comment 🙇🏻♀️
Thanks once again 💕
☮️💜☮️💜
The pleasure is mine Uma 🥰🤍
There is something slightly incomplete in the question, as if admiration could be placed neatly inside a single profession, as if it could be resolved by choosing one name and closing the matter there.
I could say teacher. I could say firefighter, police officer, doctor, nurse. I could give you the expected answer and it would not be false. But it would not be true either, not in the way the question seems to ask for.
Because what I admire is not the profession. It is the moment inside it.
It is the teacher standing in front of a room where understanding has not yet formed, and choosing, again and again, to believe that it will. Not as optimism, but as a discipline. The quiet insistence that something can be reached, even when it resists.
It is the firefighter moving toward what everyone else is built to flee, not because they are fearless, but because fear is no longer the measure that decides the direction of the body.
It is the doctor or the nurse at the edge of a body that is failing, where time tightens and language becomes insufficient, and still they remain, working within that narrow space where something might still be preserved.
It is the one who holds a line, visible or invisible, between order and its absence, knowing that the line is never stable, never fully secure.
None of this belongs to a single profession. It repeats across them, in different forms, under different pressures. What I admire is not the title, but the willingness to enter difficulty and stay there, not for recognition, not for certainty, but because someone else needs that space to be held.
So if I am asked which profession I admire the most, I find I cannot answer in the singular.
I admire any work that carries another person through something they could not cross alone.
So beautiful. Thank you, Sara
Thanks for reading 🙏🏿
And thanks for your analysis with regard to this topic .
We agree with your perspective about any work that carries another person through something they could not cross alone.💪🏿
GOD BLESS 🙏🏿🙌🏼
☮️💜☮️💜
Excellent article. By the way, my son and daughter in law are doctors
Love it! Thanks for reading:)
Hey
Thanks for all the support you gave for this joint post , amidst your busy schedule 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Thanks a tonnes🙏🏿
Would always like to have a collab with you whenever requested 🙏🏿
☮️💜☮️💜
Thanks thanks 🙏🏿
Very very happy to note that you have doctors in your immediate family 👌🏽💪🏿💯
💜☮️💜☮️
A beautiful balance of admiration and reality.
It makes you realize that healing is not always seen, but it is always happening somewhere in the background. Truly thoughtful writing from both voices. beautiful as always, dear.
Thank you so much for reading and your kind comment 🤍
Thanks Safia 🙏🏿
Yes, healing is not always seen -true true ☺️
Thanks for such a thoughtful comment 🙏🏿🙏🏿
💜☮️💜☮️
You are always welcome 🤗 sweet Uma
Healthcare workers for sure.
It resonates deeply 😊