Good morning!

I’m in such a great mood.

I saw a ton of patients this week, and so many of them are working hard on their health journey. That never fails to inspire me.

One patient on Wednesday told me they had kept up their morning walks despite the heat. They didn’t talk about pace, distance, or calories burned. They were just proud that they kept showing up. I remember leaving the room thinking, “That’s exactly what this community does. You just keep showing up.”

Can we also give ourselves a little round of applause? We’ve made it through the first part of the heat wave. If you still managed to sneak in a walk, get outside early, or simply made smart decisions to stay cool, well done. Summer doesn’t have to slow us down. Sometimes maybe it just teaches us to be a little more adaptable.

And finally, for my fellow sports fans…we still have 18 World Cup matches to look forward to! I’ve loved this tournament and I’m not quite ready for it to end. Bring on the knockout drama. Pass the guacamole, hummus, celery sticks, and red pepper slices.

Okay… I can’t wait any longer.

Here are a few things I’ve noticed about this amazing community…

1. You’re here.

You’re reading this newsletter, and it’s probably not your first WWAD newsletter. You don’t have to. You could be playing NYT games, scrolling through social media (please don’t doomscroll), or doing 37 other things.

Instead, you’re here with us.

Thank you.

2. You choose respect.

You treat people with kindness, even when it’s not easy.

You remind yourself that every person you meet is carrying something you can’t see. We all have struggles, victories, fears, and hopes. That perspective changes everything.

The world could use more of that.

3. You walk.

You know walking isn’t “just exercise.”

It’s medicine for your heart, your mind, your mood, your sleep, your relationships, your creativity… the list goes on.

How much should you walk?

A little more than yesterday if you can.

I happen to know hundreds of volunteer physicians around the world who would wholeheartedly agree.

4. You’re resilient.

Think about everything you’ve already made it through.

You’re still here.

Some days are hard. Some seasons are really hard.

But somehow you keep getting up, putting one foot in front of the other, and moving forward.

That’s worth celebrating.

5. You appreciate the outdoors.

You notice the trees.

You choose the outside table.

You wave at the neighbor.

You smile at the squirrel carrying an acorn that’s somehow twice the size of its head.

You know that nature has a way of making life feel just a little lighter.

6. You lift people up.

A compliment.

An encouraging text.

A sincere “thank you.”

A few extra seconds of your attention.

Those moments matter far more than we realize, and you create more of them than you probably know.

7. You say hello.

You look up.

You smile.

You acknowledge another human being.

Maybe they smile back. Maybe they don’t.

Either way, you chose connection over indifference, and our communities are better because of it.

8. You’re becoming more yourself.

Maybe it took longer than you hoped.

Maybe you’re still figuring it out.

But there’s something wonderfully freeing about realizing you don’t have to be anyone other than yourself.

That confidence is contagious.

9. You’re willing to be vulnerable.

Real friendships rarely begin with small talk.

They begin when someone is brave enough to say, “Here’s something real about me.”

And someone else responds, “Me too.”

Those moments are where connection lives.

I’ve got plenty more, but that’s enough for one Friday morning.

Please enjoy your holiday weekend. Get outside if you can. Move your body. Stay hydrated. Laugh a little. Tell someone they matter.

And before you go…

We just wanted you to know that we see you.

We notice the effort you’re putting in.

Whether you’re walking every day or just getting started… whether this week was wonderful or really hard… you’re part of this community, and we’re grateful you’re here.

Have a beautiful Fourth of July weekend. Keep showing up. The people around you are better because you do.

David