HEADoc

05/18/2022

Get your copy today!

"Transitioned!," by Kenneth Headen, M.D., is a short story that allows a look at our own death in a less morbid way and focus on the possibility of an afterlife. Readers follow Claude, a 60-year-old psychotherapist on a journey that begins with a terminal diagnosis and ends with his adaptation to an afterlife that is not what he expected. The book addresses questions concerning the universe and infinity in a humorous manner. The underlying theme suggests the love of God spans the universe and that sometimes our prayers can be answered without us even knowing.
Available at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Transitioned-Better.../dp/B09LRGFLG7/

10/09/2020

My Thoughts for the Week

Don’t remember all the physics I’ve learned over the years...

I do know that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What goes up must come down and light travels at 186,000 miles per second. The universe is infinite. Time is only an idea within our minds. Only eternity is real. There has to be a supreme being or entity. Only a fool could believe there isn’t. The more we learn the more we realize we don’t know and may never know.

Mature adults and sometimes little kids understand the difference between right and wrong. What matters most in this life is how we choose to treat one another during the small amount of time we have here. Can we treat our planet in a way that our descendants have a better life than us? Can we bless others in any way that makes their journey more enlightened and peaceful?

Whatever the true meaning of life I don’t believe what we have recently seen in America is what God intended for us. It saddens me. The struggle is not with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities. In the end we cannot straddle the fence and must choose what is right or wrong. We can believe lies as the truth but they are still lies and no lie can live forever. A tree will be known by the fruit it bears and that fruit will not fall far from that tree. We are living in historical times and one day judgment will pass as it always does. As a human being my most feverent belief is that one day good will triumph over evil and truth shall prevail.

“The two most dangerous things in the world are sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
MLK. 1960’s

07/06/2020

Haven’t slept well lately...

Dreams have been super intense. I must be getting old because I’m looking through the obituaries every now and then. What I found this past view was shocking as I realized that kids I grew up with younger than me had recently transitioned. A relative young enough to be a grandchild had passed the day before. An older cousin was put to rest last week. Not sure if COVID has a hand in this and I’m really afraid to ask. It has become more real to me that death is just a daily part of life for someone somewhere every day.

It is important that we learn to grieve in a healthy way. I know of many instances of people grieving themselves to death or dying of a broken heart. There is no easy way to do it but it is necessary. First of all we should make it our business to tell all those we love how we feel with every opportunity. Then tell your enemies that you still love them. That should alleviate some stress. Also sets you right with the Almighty.

When death comes as it surely will sooner or later remember that the feeling of shock and numbness is normal and there to help you through the grieving process. It numbs the panic your body is vulnerable to at this point. Waves of emotions of anger, guilt, sadness and confusion intensely follow. Don’t fight it. Let the dam break. To heal properly let the feelings flow. You will become physically ill if this doesn’t happen. Ask yourself what would my loved one want for me at this moment?What would they say? This usually takes some of the sting away for a while. Remember that time passing and sharing your grief with others who have the same feelings are the things that help most.

Keep asking yourself what would they want for me? What if the tables were turned? Most of the time you know exactly what they would say to you. No one can tell you how to grieve or how long to grieve. No one knows how you feel but they can sympathize. Whatever words offered are usually well intended but often there are no words that make it better. Be glad that others are caring just by offering their presence. As humans it is our duty to comfort each other during these times.

This was not a post I intended to make but I think it’s an important one that is relevant to everyone. For years I have helped patients deal with their grief not by choice but I believe God gave me the ability to do what needs to be done.

Keep praying for one another and know that better days are ahead.

06/09/2020

The best may be yet to come...

In my view we may have reached the tipping point. 2020 has been a time of unprecedented events in history thus far. Over 110,000 dead from a pandemic labeled a hoax initially by certain individuals in power and certain media outlets. In the midst of this a protest is sparked in the name of systemic abuse and killing of blacks and other minorities. This has not been just any ordinary protest because the masses of those with a conscience are on board across this country and the world at large. Simply stated a substantial number of white people have awakened to this longstanding plight of black Americans. This is what is necessary for real change to finally take place.

Amazingly the ball has started to roll and we must keep the momentum moving forward. We must take advantage of the moment. Of course there will be those oppositional to progress who will continue their propaganda and continue to fight and obstruct justice and equality. They have always been there and may never surrender.

Sam Cooke made that inspirational ballad shortly before his death “A Change is Gonna Come.” It was over a half century ago but is perfectly appropriate today. We must remember the many who sacrificed their lives over the years for us to have this opportunity. From heaven they are pulling for America to do the right thing. We have reached a historic point where the momentum can finally shift but all good people of every race and creed must contribute to the cause.

If there is civil conflict similar to 1860 it can be resolved this time without bloodshed. I think we know that we are right in standing for justice and equality for all and that God is on our side.

“The arc of morality is long but it bends toward justice.”

05/19/2020

About to write something weird...

Or maybe not. Someone else may have some of the same feelings. Sometimes my most peaceful moments are when I’m alone or with significant other just listening to the rain hit the roof and the birds chirp with nothing but my thoughts. No pressure to say anything. No immediate problem to fix. Just wanting that state of mind to last as long as possible.

Daily I hear how horrible the world has been for the past months and then I realize how blessed I am. 2020 for me has been unique. For the first time in my life I’ve been allowed not to feel pressured to worry about tomorrow. Even though I have no idea what tomorrow holds I’ve been able to just let tomorrow unfold. “Reset” is the word some people have used for this unprecedented period in history. An opportunity to pull back the curtain and ask ourselves what are the things that truly matter in this life. Most of us know someone who has been taken by this virus. We then realize that we could be next. Life has a limit.

I feel bad for those who have suffered because of the consequences of this pandemic. So far I have only been enlightened though I’m aware that I could lose everything tomorrow. I view this time as an opportunity to see it all with more clarity. We can see our leaders for exactly what they are, if we choose to. The time has come to replace those who are self serving and uncaring of others. If we fail to see the obvious truth and most importantly fail to act then there will be no one to blame but ourselves. The choices and consequences should be clear by now. Vote your conscience in November.

05/08/2020

Happy Mother’s Day....

Whether she is still physically with you or not. My mother went to glory 8 years ago. What I miss most is sitting and picking her brain about family history or past experiences or hearing her opinions about the latest stupid act someone had committed. That was fun!

I’m hoping everyone has pleasant memories to cherish this Mother’s Day and if she is still with you please make this day one to remember.

04/30/2020

Damon Tweedy, a Duke University professor and author of “Black Man in a White Coat," on how to tell if your mental health is in jeopardy.

04/18/2020

Can’t sit this one out...

I’m not an infectious disease expert or an epidemiologist but I do have a general understanding of the mechanisms of infectious disease. There is so much obvious misinformation out here on this COVID 19 that it upsets me. Ignorance is going to get us all killed.

I counsel adolescent patients who are troubled and constantly making bad choices. Due to their oppositional and defiant way of thinking they are programmed not to listen and determined to do things their own way. They can’t seem to yield to authority. I usually start by giving them one thing to do if they are in good custody. “Do what your parent, guardian or teacher ask you to do.” Trust them and don’t worry about anything else. That is your job. That’s it. Nothing else. Sounds simple but often it proves to be impossible. It seems much easier and tempting to listen to the negative influences of the world.

What does this have to do with COVID 19 and what our country is going through? There is so much erroneous information reaching us. At this point all the answers are not known. We do know that it is highly contagious and it can kill you. You don’t want this infection. I see people daily who have lost friends or relatives and aren’t even able to attend their funeral. Yes this is real.

My advice is listen to Dr Fauci and filter out all this other information. He is the expert and his only agenda is providing accurate information to the public. Many of these other sources of information have their own agendas and will mislead or cause unecessary panic or grief. If the information has political undertones it is probably inaccurate or not true. Keep yourself safe until things make sense again.

04/10/2020

The real truth...