A surgeon is surrounded by people who are sick, discouraged, afraid, embittered, dying - but also courageous, loving, wise, compassionate and alive.

Getting well is not the only goal. Even more important is learning to live without fear, to be at peace with life and ultimately death.

When I experience something, I believe it. I almost choked to death when I was a four year old and had a near death experience. I was very upset that I didn't die because it was a lot more interesting out of your body than in it.

As doctors, we are not trained to communicate and understand the power of our words as they relate to a patient's ability and desire to survive.

Bobby and I were married in 1954 and by now we know that anger does not mean "I don't love you" or "I want a divorce." It means, "I am wounded and in need of love, and I feel safe telling you about it because you are my family." Sometimes our behavior with each other is no different from the cry of an unattended baby.

You can't control the world, but when you control your thoughts, you bring order.

If you love people, you'll enjoy your life. If you don't, you won't love anything you do.