This link goes to a Ted Talk by Jon Ronson, journalist from London, speaking about the research he did for a book on psychopathy.  He pegs the relevant issue which is the fact that all of us display some characteristics of various mental disorders, including psychopathy.  All of us, you say?  Yes, all of us.  Madness is inherent in the human condition.  We have the capacity for rationality, but we also all have moments of unconsciousness.  We have moments in which we are not as kind as we could be.  We have moments of every description, but these moments do not condemn us.  We can still be decent people.  

In the Bible, Matthew 7:5 reminds us that we are not perfect.  "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  Before we accuse anyone else of madness, it is in our best interests to recognize that we are human too, with requisite portions of inexplicable wildness.

After taking boards in August, I went on a series of adventures.  As you may know by now, my favorite form of outdoor recreation is boating down whitewater rivers.  I got to run the Rogue River here in Oregon for the first time, and returned to Arizona for another trip down the mighty Colorado River through Grand Canyon.  Our Grand Canyon adventure was 21 days long; a very long time to be away from cars, money, electricity, and everything else modern.  I love that.  On both trips I was rowing a raft.  I enjoy rowing in part because it strengthens my core and makes me feel awesome.  I had let myself get soft while studying for boards, and I feel much stronger after these trips.

While we were away my board results came in.  My mail was on hold so it wouldn't pile up in the mailbox.  When we got home I fell to the project of unpacking and cleaning up.  My partner asked me "Are you going to open the mail?" and finally I did.  I expected to pass, but the way those exams are, you never know for sure until you get the results.  Thankfully, I passed with room to spare.  I'm done running around on major multi-day river trips for now, and well rested to tackle the paperwork involved in starting up my practice.  Here goes!!!