Self EKG: What’s Your Rhythm?

We are pleased to introduce the blog editor for 2017-2018: Irina Geiculescu. Irina attended Clemson University and is currently in her second year of medical school. The following poem, written by our new editor, is a great kick-off to the year and intriguing inquiry into the states of our hearts: 

Self EKG: What’s Your Rhythm?

“Above all else, guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23

Your heart is your battery–its constant beating, about 15,200 a day on average, circulates the blood within you and feeds your organs.
It is the spring that brings life and is one that needs to be nourished, by both itself and the soul.

Your heart is more than an organ–it is your desires, will, compassion, attitude and choices.
It is constantly at the steering wheel driving you daily.
It is your compass, your confidant, your best friend and your enemy.
It is exquisite–exquisitely beautiful.

Have you analyzed your heart lately?
Vulnerable or guarded? Strong or unreliable?

Is it beating regularly, to the beat of joyfulness, tenderness and adoration to serve others?
Is it beating irregularly, paralyzed about uncertainty, not sure whether to follow the impulsive signals it’s being demanded of?
Is it murmuring–grumbling, complaining and gossiping about life’s events, never satisfied?
Is it in failure–in contention with pride, bitterness and jealousy?
Is it dead–unresponsive, scarred and deformed from life?

How dare can we say we want to nurture and claim to be life supporters if we don’t first support the thing that gives us life–our heart.
How can we question the intentions of other’s hearts if we don’t question and analyze ours first?

It’s such a simple, yet introspective task that many are scared at its revelations.
However, analyzing it and making sure to guard it against the world, with its corruption and fear, is not only courageous and beautiful, but also a necessity to be truly alive.

In a world of broken, abused, and dying hearts–lets make sure ours is one that is living and strong.

Guard your heart.
It is the prescription of life and the key to transforming health care.

So tell me…how is your heart today?

Ethnically, 100% Romanian, and nationally, 100% American, I was born in Seneca, South Carolina and have lived in the Clemson/Easley area my whole life. I graduated with a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Emphasis, from Clemson University. Athlete, scholar and former competitive pianist, I try to maintain a balanced mind, body and soul. I am ecstatic and blessed to be attending USCSOMG and to be part of the wonderful Class of 2020, beginning the journey that propelled me into medicine: pursuing the principle of people first.