What we can learn from Russian dolls

What we can learn from Russian dolls


I learned the lesson from a set of Russian nesting dolls. You’ve likely seen these before. They are officially called Matryoshka dolls. The first set was carved in 1890.

Traditionally, the outer layer is a woman dressed in a long and shapeless peasant dress. The figures inside may be of either gender. The innermost, smallest doll is typically a baby turned from a single piece of wood.

What do these Russian dolls have to do with reigniting hope?

I believe they perfectly demonstrate how to shed what does not work in our lives so we can look to what’s precious within.

As you open up and release the shell of what isn’t working in your life, you get down to the next layer of what is even better.

There’s a reason that the innermost doll is a baby carved from a single piece of wood. It’s because what’s most precious is on the inside.

It’s not the outer, everyday surface that we all project. It’s the small, vulnerable piece of ourselves that we hide under layers.

Maybe it is time we shed the traditional outer “ layer,” and get back to our core?

There, at the center, is our unique self; it’s the best we have to offer to ourselves and to others.





Adapted From:
What doctors can learn from Russian dolls:

by STARLA FITCH, MD | PHYSICIAN | MAY 16, 2014

Starla Fitch is an ophthalmologist, speaker and personal coach.  She blogs at Love Medicine Again and her upcoming book, Remedy for Burnout: 7 Prescriptions Doctors Use to

 Twitter @StarlaFitchMD.


Link: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2014/05/doctors-russian-dolls.html