Title: My Brother's Keeper

Gender: Male

Age: 44

Sun Sign: Aries

Chinese Sign: Wood Dragon

Location: Newark, DE

I grew up in an average home with many of the everyday struggles we all face.  Most of my life up until I was 20 was filled with dealing with the hardships of moving, loosing jobs, breaking up with girlfriends, etc… My family has always been very spiritual in their commitment to caring for others. We were and still are a very loving and strong family.  My father and I used to have “very spirited” debates about God and religion.  For awhile I even rebelled by going to the dark side of life.

That all changed 23 years ago when I joined the fire service. I now live a life of service for others.  Joining was not out of some altruistic need but because I was bored and my friend was going to do it.  That one decision changed my life. In a life that had never known words like duty and honor and courage and compassion, I was suddenly drowning in it.  Like a piece of iron, I began the forging process. 23 years later I am still active and consider what I have done in the fire service to be my greatest accomplishment.

In 1991 I started medical school and met my wife.  Through her I have learned what love and loyalty are.  She was with me from the beginning, first as my best freind and then as my life mate. We have two wonderful children that even at an early age we are teaching the virtues of love, loyalty, compassion and caring for others.  I want them to be strong, compassionate, and wise. 

I am now 42 and working as an emergency doc at an ER/ Trauma Center in the killing fields of North Philadelphia.  I came here from a very good paying job in an ER in the suburbs, to begin the journey I believe I have been preparing to take. I don't know exactly what that journey is but I will take it as it comes.

I follow the values of Bushido; Rectitude, Courage, Compassion, Loyalty, Honor, Wisdom, Respect, and Honesty. I believe that some wars are still worth fighting and dying for.  Wars against poverty and hunger are good wars.  Wars against fear, hopelessness and ignorance are good wars. I do not fight with a gun but it makes the dangers no less real and the rewards that much greater. 

Spiritually I find myself part Christian and part Zen Buddhist with a new pinch of Shintoism. Not sure how that will make it all taste. I am always trying and exploring new beliefs. 

I come to Zaadz for three reasons.

1.  To begin helping others as they start their journey of serving others.

2.  To better understand the bigger questions of life.  Much of this comes from all that I have seen, and some would say that I have seen way too much.

3.  Lastly, to find some measure of peace in a life that has been largely spent dealing with the chaos, pain, and misery of others. I know that I will continue to reside there until the day I die. I am now at a point where I know no other way. 

Member Since: Thursday, February 22 2007

Last Visit: 30 days ago.

Profile Viewed: 771 times (last viewed less than a minute ago)