Aiming for the Global Picture:
A Conversation with Dr. Raffi (Ray) Sahelian
Documented by Dér Stépanos Dingilian, Ph. D. © 2000
I am a physician who practiced medicine for a number of years then
decided to become a medical author. In my books, I try to interpret medical
information for the public in order to improve their life. By ‘improving their
life’ I mean giving them an opportunity for a higher quality of life. Through
the medications and nutritional supplements that I research, I hope to improve
the mood, motivation, energy level, clarity of thinking, and overall well being
of those who follow the suggestions in my books. I believe this improved
physical condition also affects all other aspects of life – relationships,
family and career.
Since 1995, I have authored twelve
books. The latest book is called Mind Boosters. I review the existing
literature about a medication or a supplement, evaluate the scientific research
conducted, talk to physicians who prescribe it, talk to people who take it and
if necessary, use it my self. Finally I give a recommendation to the people on
how to use it. In my approach I am giving the public an overall perspective of
the natural supplement or medication all in one place.
My choice of work has not been
coincidental. It goes back many years, beginning with my teenager years. As a
teen, I had a moderate case of acne. I went to a number of doctors. They could
not help. I thought there must be a way some doctor can help. That sense of
helplessness and the desire to do something in response to it stayed with me.
When a few of my friends decided to go to med school, I decided to go with them
too. Except, since I was studying nutrition science at Drexel University and was
already in my junior year, many said it was too late for me. I did not accept
that limitation. I put my mind to it, worked hard, and made it to med school.
These set of events left me with two important insights. First, I sensed that if
I put my mind to doing something then I can do it! It is a tremendous sense of
power from within. Second, I realized how fortunate I must have been to have the
opportunity to accomplish what I believed. Now, when I see children who grow up
where no opportunity is available for them, I am not judgmental at all. Who can
blame them if they never have an opportunity?! Anyway, I graduated from the
Thomas Jefferson Medical School. Then I conducted 3 years of residency. Finally,
I worked on a cruise ship in the Caribbean for 2 years.
All along my parents have been and
continue to be very supportive. My father, an optometrist, demanded just one
thing: “Be good in what you do!” Obviously they are supportive when they
like what I do. For example, they were supportive when I decided to go to med
school. But they are even supportive when they do not agree with what I do. For
example, when I made the decision to come to California rather than just settle
down and be a physician with a small practice, my parents were not excited. Even
to this day, they would rather see me with a wife, two children and a house.
They do not realize that I am taking their advice to heart. I am really being
good in what I do. If I set my mind to doing something, I really get into it; I
live it! I aim to achieve my objective!
In fact, one of the reasons that I
came to California, and especially to Los Angeles is because there are many “achievers”
here. Some people may take it lightly and even laugh when they hear persons
saying they come here to get a break in the movies or the entertainment
industry. Regardless of how far these people may get, if you stop and think
about it, these are people who are willing to risk everything they have in order
to attain what they believe. They are achievers! These are the people
with whom I want to associate. Just to give you an example from my life. In
1995, a company had given me a contract to write my first book. So in some ways
I was taking it easy and working on the book at a slow pace. Then I heard that a
competing company was also planning to come out with a book on the same topic.
In fact, they were almost done with the book. It suddenly occurred to me: “I
don’t want to be second! I want to be first not just in one place or another,
but globally!” I just put everything aside immediately, got on the
computer and completed the book. I believe that many people, including
Armenians, lack this sense of being first, not just locally or even nationally,
but from a global perspective! Living here in Southern California and
associating with achievers who want to make an impact in the history of humanity
has given me a tremendous impetus.
I enjoy myself and relax as I take
part in a variety of activities sponsored by various Armenian organizations
throughout Southern California. However, it always bothers me that Armenians
think small, they think local, between this group or political party or the
other, “middle management” type of power struggles or simply taking care of
the daily business in order to survive. That is not how greatness comes about!
This was not an Armenian way of thinking centuries ago. The Armenians 1,700
years ago could not have been ‘the first Christian nation’ if they had not
taken some risks, stuck their neck out and took a global stance! That
spirit seems to be lacking among Armenians these days. In order to sense that
global perspective, I must admit, I try to spend time with people who have their
sights set on the international and global perspective.
Along with this sense of mediocrity,
in general, it bothers me immensely that some people pray that God make them win
and make others lose. Again, that is not how greatness is achieved! I believe
those kind of people are not truly spiritual people who should have that
Christian spirit of progress and forgiveness. They simply try to use God to
their benefit. They think they can subordinate God to their plan. Just as their
relationship with God is superficial, their view of accomplishment and greatness
is superficial too. They want God to make others fail, so they don’t have to
work hard and achieve. They want mediocrity because they don’t have the vision
to go the distance!
Whether we believe in God or not, I
think all of us have an opportunity to change the path of history if we
think globally and think about achieving that which is impossible, as opposed to
being stuck in the mud of mediocrity by tangling in senseless gossip and power
struggles. I will leave it up to history to decide if I have attained my
objective or not. But I know that as long as I live for and aim towards
realizing this belief, then I am being the fullness that a human being was
intended to be!
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We thank Dr. Sahelian
for taking the time to share his views.