Summary of Episode 1KHO 442: The Tension of Becoming | Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith, Being Fully Known
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast hosted by Ginny Urich from the That Sounds Fun Network delves into the profound journey of personal growth, identity transformation, and the importance of rest and work-life harmony. In this episode, Ginny engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith, an internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and international speaker. Dr. Smith shares her experiences transitioning from a medical professional to a multifaceted author and speaker, exploring themes of identity, rest, and embracing one's true self.
1. Introducing Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith
Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith brings a wealth of experience as an internal medicine physician, author of six bestselling books, and host of the I Choose My Best Life podcast. Her latest book, Being Fully Known: The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging, explores the intricate balance between professional life and personal identity.
2. Transitioning from Medicine to Authorship and Speaking
Ginny Urich begins by highlighting Dr. Smith's extensive background and curious transition from a long-standing medical career to becoming an author and speaker. Dr. Smith shares, “[00:38] I really could see that my identity had kind of gotten wrapped up in my role as a physician. It was all I could ever see myself doing.”
This realization marked the beginning of Dr. Smith’s journey to rediscovering and expanding her identity beyond her profession.
3. The Tension of Becoming
A central theme of the conversation revolves around the "tension of becoming." Dr. Smith explains, “[08:43] What if you're not becoming something new, you're just becoming more of who you really are. The parts of you that are so deeply buried or deeply restrained that you're allowing yourself to step into the truth of yourself.”
This concept emphasizes that personal growth isn't about adopting a new persona but uncovering and embracing the authentic self that has always existed beneath societal and professional expectations.
4. Navigating Social Opposition: Understanding the "Loss Attack"
Dr. Smith introduces the concept of the "loss attack," a type of social opposition one might face when stepping out of their comfort zone. She elaborates, “[21:30] When a friend does that, a part of me immediately starts thinking about, how is this going to affect my relationship with that person? What am I going to lose when they make the shift?”
Understanding these feelings helps individuals address fears related to changing roles, whether it's adopting a new career path or personal development.
5. Embracing the Seven Types of Rest
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on rest and its various dimensions. Dr. Smith outlines her "seven types of rest" framework, distinguishing between sleep and rest. She states, “[29:29] Rest quiz. Real simple.”
This framework helps individuals identify areas where they might be experiencing rest deficits—physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative—and work towards a more holistic approach to recuperation.
6. Rest vs. Stillness: The Challenge of Being Present
Dr. Smith differentiates between rest and stillness, noting, “[39:35] Rest and stillness are not the same thing. Stillness is when there is you're removing the activity for a time, simply to be without expectation.”
For those who thrive on activity and are always processing, achieving stillness—being present without doing—can be particularly challenging but essential for true rest.
7. Work-Life Harmony Over Balance
Shifting the conversation to professional life, Dr. Smith advocates for "work-life harmony" instead of the elusive "work-life balance." She shares, “[42:09] Work and life cannot be balanced, but they can function in harmony.”
This perspective encourages integrating work into one's life in a way that aligns with personal values and passions, rather than trying to equally distribute time between work and personal life.
8. Identifying Sacred Work vs. Busy Work
Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between sacred work and busy work. She explains, “[42:09] Busy work is a sure path to a slow death, to the gifts, talents, and calling placed within you.”
Sacred work originates from the heart and brings genuine satisfaction, whereas busy work often drains energy without fulfilling one's true potential.
9. Practical Applications: Engaging with Purpose
The episode also touches on practical tools and experiences that align with Dr. Smith’s philosophies. For instance, she discusses a scavenger hunt app designed to make city tours engaging for children, fostering hands-on exploration and learning. Dr. Smith recounts, “[49:27] We spent about three hours in one city downtown, exploring the entire city with little kids with all these cool facts and details and all this different stuff.”
This innovative approach exemplifies integrating purposeful activities into everyday experiences, enhancing both learning and enjoyment.
10. Spiritual Encouragement and Recognizing Victories
Dr. Smith shares spiritual insights, encouraging listeners to trust in divine protection and recognize their past victories. She reflects, “[55:37] The only reason that victory came is because of the victories that I looked back on.”
This spiritual grounding provides a foundation for resilience and confidence in navigating life’s transitions.
11. Conclusion: Cherishing Childhood Memories
In the final segment, Dr. Smith and Ginny reminisce about cherished childhood memories, underscoring the importance of simple, joyful experiences. Dr. Smith shares her favorite memory, “[56:26] Swinging on the swing sets with a friend... 'If you go higher, I'll go higher.'”
This nostalgic reflection serves as a poignant reminder of the value of free, unstructured play and its lasting impact on personal development.
Notable Quotes
- Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith
- “[07:37] Your only limitations are the mental ties you believe.”
- “[08:43] What if you're not becoming something new, you're just becoming more of who you really are.”
- “[21:30] When a friend does that, a part of me immediately starts thinking about, how is this going to affect my relationship with that person?”
- “[29:29] Rest quiz. Real simple.”
- “[39:35] Rest and stillness are not the same thing.”
- “[42:09] Work and life cannot be balanced, but they can function in harmony.”
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a deep dive into the complexities of personal growth, the necessity of embracing one's authentic self, and the multifaceted nature of rest. Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith's insights provide valuable guidance for listeners seeking to navigate life's transitions with grace and intentionality. By understanding the "tension of becoming," recognizing different types of rest, and striving for work-life harmony, individuals can cultivate a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Link to Resources:
- Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith’s Website: @drdaltonsmith.com
- Rest Quiz: restquiz.com
- Seven Types of Rest Online Course: Available on Dr. Smith's website