Rooted in Culture, Free in Spirit

She stands beneath the sprawling oak,
Her eyes fixed on the mighty tree -
She wonders how its roots run deep,
And how they shape its destiny.

She thinks of what it means to be rooted
And what it feels like to be uprooted,
How our roots protect and connect us,
But also may hold us back, mistrusted.

She ponders on the journey of life,
The twists and turns, the highs and lows,
And how our roots give us a sense of belonging,
A place to call home, a place to grow.

But she also knows that sometimes
Our roots may limit our reach
And keep us trapped in old patterns,
Stuck in the same familiar niche.

So she wonders where she’s put down roots
And where she hopes to in the future,
What path she’ll take, what dreams she’ll chase,
And how her roots will shape her stature.

She remembers the land of her birth,
The memories and love that still endure--
Her family, her culture, her identity,
The roots that have always kept her pure.

But she also knows that as she grows,
Her roots may spread far and wide,
And she’ll need to be brave and bold,
Embrace the unknown and untried.

For to be rooted is to be grounded,
But to be uprooted is to be free,
And to truly live a life of purpose,
We must find a balance, we must agree.

So she stands beneath the mighty oak
And feels the earth beneath her feet -
She knows that her roots are her strength,
But that she must also be willing to retreat.

 For life is a journey of growth and change
And our roots will guide us on the way,
But to truly find our place in this world,
We must be willing to break away.

From the author: Growing up as a 1st generation immigrant, I observed how my parents firmly believed in the strength and truth of traditional Chinese medicine and doubted the efficacy of "Western" medicine - its strange chemical medicines and intrusive surgical procedures. Despite my path to become a physician in the Western world, I still ponder on the power of integrating cultural competency to improve health outcomes, no matter how little empirical support there may be for the patient's traditional beliefs.

Renee Ren is a third-year medical student. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, discovering underrated NYC food spots, and dabbling in extreme athletic endeavours.