Patch's blog

No wonder that the creation of all life is attributed to a God. The product… life… is so complicated that it's easier to think of a God doing it than 3 1/2 billion years of extensive, ongoing self-design. Each step of change in the course of evolution has required a mistake (mutation) to adapt organisms to their surroundings. Gene coding in living things today is similar to gene coding in the original single cell organisms. So we are really relatives of mammals, birds, lizards, frogs and fish, as well as insects and jellyfish.

I decided to be happy all the time at the age of 18. I had three hospitalizations in one year, wanting to die because the adult world was so unhealthy. I did not yet know that another choice was Revolution. In the last hospitalization I discovered that choice. I could make me. This choice stood on the foundation of self-esteem that my mother gave me. The gift of, “I can do it” and “I will do it”, embracing freedom from doubt. I decide… I will do it.

My brother, Wildman, loves Thich Nhat Hanh. He studies his books in order to help shape his life, and the results are impressive. My dear friend, Autumn, went to his commune, Plum Village, in the south of France to center herself after the tragic loss of her young partner to cancer. He is a holy man calling for many of the same things I feel I am calling for: peace, justice and care for all people and nature.

Frank, I love you. In 1980 you answered my call; “please drive me to West Virginia to look at this property, I think we will build our hospital there.”

When I see all the horrors and suffering in the world, I know it can be different. I know the solutions are nested in radiant loving. I've asked hundreds of thousands of people at audiences in 70 countries in 28 years if there was anything more important in their lives than loving. No more than 10 have raised their hands.

What does it mean to be a doctor? What is asked of me to be human?

I have always been a free doctor. I hunger to care for others. In these 28 years since our hospital closed (in order to focus on building a fully modern hospital, at 10% of the cost), I've been on the road 7,000 days telling all audiences to write me if I can be of help. I need to care in order to be human. I chose to close our primitive facility in order to address the worst disease of the modern era, malignant greed, by taking the most expensive thing in our country and giving it away for free.

There are few pleasures in my life like helping a friend fulfill a dream. On this year's 28th annual Russia clown tour I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the sweetest examples of this that I can remember.

Thinking about a vacation? Thinking about democracy? Go to Wall Street!! In New York and in your town. This is the exercise, diet, and meditation for the wellness of the people, the "We". Talk about it, study why it is the symbolic act calling for ending the vulgar act of greed of the "I" (me, me, mine) for the uniting of all humans and all living things in the nest of the "We". Together, united as Team Humanity, we can solve our problems for universal well-being. No enemies, no "They". I love this image of the 99%, it is so inclusive.

Here are three new ideas for clown trips with a purpose. If you're interested, contact kate@patchadams.org.

Three clown trips in one month! This month I worked for love. Travel! It started in Champaign, Illinois, when my flight to the job in Evansville, Indiana was delayed. I’d have to rush a five hour cab ride. Bruce from Evansville offered to fly up in his Cessna two-seater to fly me to Evansville. Really fun. Thanks, Bruce! Saved the day.