Priya Joshi
Naturopathic Doctor - www.doctorpriya.com
Last year, I received an email, (that I almost deleted as it went to my Spam folder), but I recognized Liesl’s name so I opened it. The email told me that I had been nominated as an ‘inspiring woman in Atlantic Canada’!! The first words out of my mouth were “What?! Me?! Really?! Wow!!” I believe I sent an email to that effect to Liesl as well.
And so, many months later, after continually hiding behind “I’m too busy to do this right now”, after diving into the ‘why’ I could not write this earlier, after being able to face my fear and vulnerability… I fully accept the honour of being nominated and have been able to step outside my comfort zone and write this piece.
I know this is not the story people expected to read… they thought they would be reading about how I became a naturopathic doctor… of my own healing journey… of the patients I see in practice… what the life of an ND is like…what the life of one of the few women-of-colour NDs in this province is like… how everyday I hold space for my patients and their stories and ‘aha’ moments ... about that moment when patients awaken their own power and take charge of their health… how naturopathic medicine is truly about health care…about how everything is connected… about my inspirations, learning and growth over the years.
To be honest, this nomination has been inspiring, and a learning and growth opportunity. I thought about how I can post on Instagram or facebook…I can share my writing and photographs… I can share my story. But this…to be seen by another person and nominated – was, is, a different layer of vulnerability. It meant truly tapping into my self-worth, my confidence… accepting and being aware of ‘hiding’ who I was… and then sharing my light.
In my 20+ years of practice as an ND, I witness how interconnected we all are… how our stories, experiences, feelings, and words connect us more than divide us. We don’t talk about this enough. We don’t share this enough with each other. So many patients say to me at the end of their appointment – “Thank you for listening.” And “I must be your only patient who feels like this.” I hear how alone they feel in their healing journey. And I say to each of them – “If I could have all my patients in one room, you will all realize you are not alone. Everyone, every person you will ever meet, has a story.”
This awareness prompted me to write from this perspective… knowing that it is our vulnerability that connects us… and how our courage to speak our truth allows us to be seen. It is about stepping out of our comfort zone as that is where the magic lies.
I would like to leave you with these words that I say to patients … it is one of the principles I practice by and words that are so needed by everyone - “I see you… I hear you… I believe you… I am here for you…” Perhaps there is someone out there reading this who needs to hear this right now.
And to the kind soul who nominated me… I do not know who you are, but you are one of my teachers… you have no idea what a journey this nomination took me on! I thank you for this honour.
naturopathic doctor * activist * writer * photographer * dancer * vegetarian foodie * traveller * nature lover * art lover