My friends and family used to say that I was born 30 years old. I get it. From the time I was young, I was controlled, risk-averse, studious and polite.

In addition to the fact that I was naturally reserved, I learned over time to do my best not to make anyone uncomfortable. I frequently refused to stand up for what I wanted, always deferring to the wishes of others.

In the process, I learned not to tell the truth. Not to others who needed to hear it and worst of all, not to myself who needed to hear it most of all.

Add to that years of college, medical school and residency and I became a staid, solid, predictable, disciplined man. Who was often pressing down the things I wanted to say. But it was functional.