Dr. Paredes
is the Founder and Director, The Ellen Shaw de Paredes Institute
for Women's Imaging, Glen Allen, VA. She is also a member of the
editorial board of this journal.
I had planned a very different editorial for this issue that
addresses concerns related to women's health, but I was prompted to
change course based on an event that occurred today. I had a
meeting about a piece of equipment that we were in the process of
purchasing, and the vendor changed some of the important details of
the contract.
The problem that I have with his decision was not that he made
the changes, but rather in how he did it-the timing, the lack of
forthrightness, and the inherent lack of honesty in the process are
what really trouble me. This faux pas on his part has placed a
cloud over the image of his company for me and has cost him the
deal. This episode caused me to reflect on the qualities in
everyday life that are most important and how the presence or
absence of those qualities causes some to excel or to find
contentment and others to fail.
Recently, my husband gave me a book called
Wabi Sabi
by Diane Durston. It is one of those little books that is steeped
with philosophical thoughts-quick to read but long in the
contemplation that they evoke. The book describes the "essence of
tranquility" in everyday life. Included among the most important
virtues described is sincerity. Confucius is quoted as saying,
"Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue." Homer wrote,
"Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one
thing in his heart and speaks another."
To me, honesty, sincerity, and a sense of integrity are the most
important human qualities. Unfortunately, the vendor with whom I
met lacked those virtues. If he did not show sincerity in his
meeting with me, then I cannot expect anything different from him
or his colleagues at the company in the future.
As radiologists, we must reflect not only on our commitment to
the accuracy of our diagnosis, but also on the qualities that
define us and our profession.Without a doubt, virtues are far more
important than the tangibles in life, or as Art Buchwald so
eloquently stated, "The best things in life aren't things."