We live in a world of uncertainty. Complete and utter uncertainty. If we look closely enough, we find there are truly no certainties at all. Not in life, and definitely not in medicine. To look that close is paralyzing. Faith is, and must be, a way of life. Faith is a double-edged sword. Beliefs can be right or wrong. Faith can lead us to do wrong, and because of faith, we can do unknowingly wrong. Despite all the potential negative effects, though, faith is a genetically conserved human trait. Why? Because of its power for good. As Dr. Richard Fried describes in our cover article, we can — and should — put faith to good use in our practices and our lives. Some elements of faith are critical. We must have faith in ourselves. We must have faith in the future. Uncompromising beliefs are the bedrock of existence. “Knowing,” which is really only a strongly held belief, gives us the strength to affect change and to build that which did not previously exist. No successful dermatology practice was created without individual vision and faith. No new treatment was brought to market without belief and commitment. No leader ever succeeded without both a plan and infectious confidence. It is remarkable what we can achieve when we set down goals and set our minds to achieving those goals. It is amazing what control we have over our perceptions and the resulting realities. And, as Rick Fried points out, faith allows us to overcome adversity, and to achieve career and personal satisfaction. Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Medical Editor
Chief Editor`s MessageA Powerful Tool
We live in a world of uncertainty. Complete and utter uncertainty. If we look closely enough, we find there are truly no certainties at all. Not in life, and definitely not in medicine. To look that close is paralyzing. Faith is, and must be, a way of life. Faith is a double-edged sword. Beliefs can be right or wrong. Faith can lead us to do wrong, and because of faith, we can do unknowingly wrong. Despite all the potential negative effects, though, faith is a genetically conserved human trait. Why? Because of its power for good. As Dr. Richard Fried describes in our cover article, we can — and should — put faith to good use in our practices and our lives. Some elements of faith are critical. We must have faith in ourselves. We must have faith in the future. Uncompromising beliefs are the bedrock of existence. “Knowing,” which is really only a strongly held belief, gives us the strength to affect change and to build that which did not previously exist. No successful dermatology practice was created without individual vision and faith. No new treatment was brought to market without belief and commitment. No leader ever succeeded without both a plan and infectious confidence. It is remarkable what we can achieve when we set down goals and set our minds to achieving those goals. It is amazing what control we have over our perceptions and the resulting realities. And, as Rick Fried points out, faith allows us to overcome adversity, and to achieve career and personal satisfaction. Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Medical Editor
We live in a world of uncertainty. Complete and utter uncertainty. If we look closely enough, we find there are truly no certainties at all. Not in life, and definitely not in medicine. To look that close is paralyzing. Faith is, and must be, a way of life. Faith is a double-edged sword. Beliefs can be right or wrong. Faith can lead us to do wrong, and because of faith, we can do unknowingly wrong. Despite all the potential negative effects, though, faith is a genetically conserved human trait. Why? Because of its power for good. As Dr. Richard Fried describes in our cover article, we can — and should — put faith to good use in our practices and our lives. Some elements of faith are critical. We must have faith in ourselves. We must have faith in the future. Uncompromising beliefs are the bedrock of existence. “Knowing,” which is really only a strongly held belief, gives us the strength to affect change and to build that which did not previously exist. No successful dermatology practice was created without individual vision and faith. No new treatment was brought to market without belief and commitment. No leader ever succeeded without both a plan and infectious confidence. It is remarkable what we can achieve when we set down goals and set our minds to achieving those goals. It is amazing what control we have over our perceptions and the resulting realities. And, as Rick Fried points out, faith allows us to overcome adversity, and to achieve career and personal satisfaction. Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Medical Editor
