Columns

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 In 2017, my life took a turn I never expected. When something blindsides us, especially when it involves our health, sometimes we can interpret it as just an interruption in our lives. But most often, it’ll…

The other day, I was sitting on the couch recuperating from my shower. (Yes, for many people with sarcoidosis, a shower is an Olympic event that requires planning, preparation, and recovery — but that’s a story for another day.) Anyway, I was on the couch trying to relax when, suddenly,…

Hello, and welcome to my column, “Run Your Own Race.” I am honored and excited to bring my thoughts to life. Considering this is my first column, I thought it might be best to introduce myself. I am Calvin Harris, and depending on your age (and musical tastes), you might…

I didn’t realize how pulmonary sarcoidosis would affect my lifestyle until about three years ago. For years, the thought of this “obstacle” didn’t affect me. But that changed on a dime in August 2017 when I had my first spontaneous pneumothorax. I wondered how I would live my life…

No, not that one. The other day, I Fell and Fractured my Foot (though I admit I probably said the other F-word a few times when it happened). I sprained my ankle, too, just to make it more Fun. It was the Fifth metatarsal on the outer side of my…

About 20 years ago I joined a program to lose weight, and ended up gaining not only a healthier body but also a much healthier mindset. Along the way, I fully embraced the idea of transformation, and after an emotional and symbolic speech from another program member, I decided I…

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James A. Baldwin Recently, I was asked an unusual and interesting question: “Do you know anyone personally that has sarcoidosis?” After a few seconds of thinking about an answer, I had…

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Dan Millman Now that some of the pandemic-era restrictions are being lifted throughout the U.S., I can’t help but feeling like I missed a good deal of…

As a teen, I got a T-shirt from my best friend that said “Me, paranoid? Who wants to know?” So, you see, trusting maskless strangers to be fully vaccinated just isn’t in my nature.  We are still in a pandemic. With sarcoidosis, two shots in the arm doesn’t mean we…

Mother’s Day was a couple weeks ago here in the U.S., but I must admit, I’m not a big fan of the holiday. Let me explain.  On Mother’s Day weekend in 2003, I suddenly lost my mother. I had just returned to work after having an…