Liliana by Liliana Cajiao

Who am I?

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 22:44:01 UTC

I consider myself a spiritual being having a human experience. My name is Liliana

I was born and raised in Colombia

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 22:46:02 UTC

I was born in Popayan, a town in southwestern Colombia. Its name comes from the Indigenous peoples of that area. My mother’s grandfather was from the Misak tribe. Perhaps part of the reason I am drawn to serving rural and Indigenous communities is in my blood.

POEM

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 22:48:13 UTC

As a doctor, I’ve learned some

important ingredients to healing:

The first is: Time,

Having the time to sit with someone

and not feel rushed.

The second is: Listening,

I mean, learning how to really Listen

to the people.

The third is: Empathy,

to feel the things they are sharing.

The fourth is: Patience.

Because being a doctor is not only about

prescribing medicine

But trying to See that person’s soul.

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 22:55:11 UTC

Living abroad was never in my plans, but life pushed me to reside on Turtle Island. The journey hasn't been easy, but it has been filled with joy, self-awareness, and connection. It's been all about connecting with Mother Earth and understanding who I am as a spiritual/human being. When I first moved here, I felt deeply disconnected from everything and It was an indigenous friend from Mexico who helped me find my path. Since then, I've found joy in connecting with the community, particularly with Native Americans and Hispanics.

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 23:20:03 UTC

I enjoy all kinds of activities related to connecting with the community and learning from others, which led me to become a medical doctor. During my journey to become a doctor, I learned the importance of research and how enjoyable it is. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn from others and simultaneously a chance to share my insights with others around the globe.

My values

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 23:21:42 UTC

My values are rooted in respect, humility, and a deep commitment to the community. I believe in the power of unity, the importance of cultural diversity, and the value of shared wisdom.

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 23:23:27 UTC

My responsibility to the community extends beyond my professional role as a doctor. I believe in active participation, giving back, and fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the community. I try hard to incorporate these values in my research, ensuring it is culturally sensitive and beneficial to the community.

Turtle wisdom

lcajiao — 2024-02-01 23:36:04 UTC

I like turtles, particularly marine turtles. I believe that there is so much that we can learn from them. Their resilience, patience, and ability to navigate vast oceans resonate with my journey and are lessons that we can apply in our own personal and professional lives. Turtles remind me of the importance of going with the flow of life, without wanting to control the things that we can control. After all, we are all navigating our lives, just like turtles navigate the ocean.

Bringing turtle wisdom into my life also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural habitats and respecting all life forms in all possible ways, including through research.

lcajiao — 2024-02-02 04:04:29 UTC

I love the ocean. I believe that the ocean is like life in general. Sometimes it's calm, sometimes it's not. We are all in the ocean; some people are navigating fancy boats, others are going in canoes, and some people are swimming. In my case, immigrating to the United States was like jumping from a comfortable boat to having to swim in the ocean. At the beginning, it was extremely hard to swim, but with time, I have learned that if I go with the flow, I enjoy the journey. The ocean itself has brought me turtles and dolphins that have carried me on the journey, and this have been friends and people who have helped me and supported me.