There are seasons in our life after we are blessed to fellowship with people whose ethical compass guides them towards an incessant exploration of munificence, prudence, and transcendence. Dr Benjamin Griffeth (affectionately often called Griff) is my good friend, colleague, and a retired Navy veteran, who values the chance to guide with humility and be taught from his journeymen and journeywomen. All through his profession he has left an indelible mark relating to his service to our nation, the sector of psychiatry, and mentoring the longer term leaders in medication. He has an unflappable persona and an impeccable utilization of levity to resolve our angst. He’s the ally you need standing subsequent to you advocating for peace and justice.
Dr Griffeth lately went on a voyage to Alaska together with his household. He would often ship me photos of lovely landscapes throughout his respite. Throughout our correspondence, I started to replicate on the images, his legacy, and the impression that he has had on my development personally and professionally. Due to this fact, I used to be impressed to writer the poem, “Benevolence.”
Benevolence
(Devoted to my good friend and colleague Dr Benjamin Griffeth)
There he goes, the at all times brave, enthusiastic explorer on his quest to view the Final Frontier, a state of majestic discovery that beckons this journeyman to seek the advice of together with his God ,who made the colossal glaciers and who gave life giving breath to the placid ocean waters, whereas liaising with fellow voyagers looking for enlightenment and encouragement for the season forward.
He travels with sea legs which were contemplative, compassionate, and curious,
however by no means assuming and at all times altruistic.
The place there may be ambivalence, he’s the anchor that gives readability for the longer term sea cadets who will serve the nation and never self.
The place there may be doubt, he is without doubt one of the many nautical stars whose blue mild shines within the Alaskan sky guiding and guided by renewed belief and unwavering hope.
The place there may be illness, he’s one in all God’s eagles hovering with a imaginative and prescient for concord and the power to assuage hate regardless of the turbulent winds of division.
So, there he goes, the at all times brave, enthusiastic explorer chronicling his lifetime of servitude to God and to nation.
Dr Clark is an outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Well being-Upstate and scientific affiliate professor on the College of South Carolina Faculty of Drugs, Greenville. He served on the American Psychiatric Affiliation’s Process Drive to Handle Structural Racism All through Psychiatry, and he at present serves because the Range and Inclusion part editor and advisory board member for Psychiatric Instances