Our study group went pretty well, especially after someone spoke up about the elephant in the room: whether our teacher should be driving down each month. We had an honest discussion of reservations each of us had and the alternatives like skype and speakerphone. The important event was we were able to see her response, and that she is unable to see what is so with herself and the group. We want what is best for her, but perhaps that will involve firm resolve to insist on safety and readjusting our group for changing needs and the aging we are all experiencing.
We had a powerful discussion as well about end of life decisions and what is the responsibility of the team of doctors, the family, and the patient. It's awfully complicated, and finding the path to the least suffering is often by trial and error. Each case is unique as well, and what seems like long odds for treatment sometimes works, just enough to obscure the picture. Everyone's intentions are for the best, but being detached and objective is impossible, even for doctors. They bring their own agenda and history to the table. Sometimes you don't know until the last day of life if the choice was wise or mistaken. There is so much mystery in life.
Anyway, I count this day as one in favor of right speech. Right listening, maybe not so much. Those are two separate things sometimes.
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