Have a seminal Christmas.(physician ponders her influence on others)(Column)

By Dr Pam.

THE end of a year provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements and failures. The frustrations of failure can lead us to underestimate positive differences we have made.

I remember counselling a troubled adolescent. As it turned out, I saw him only once. I surmised I had failed when he missed our next scheduled appointment and then refused to return my calls. But I was wrong.

A year later his mother attended. I worked up the courage to ask her how her son was doing. She said he had made a complete transformation and thanked me profusely.

She attributed the ...