Who am I ? Hopefully I won't ever be able to answer that question definitely. That's because we never have to stop developing and perfecting ourselves. Off-duty, I drive a tractor, piddle with computers, try to keep a boat working, mess with keyboards, and love wearing jeans. Professionally, I am a bona-fide certified psychiatrist with an unrestricted license to practice medicine. And, indeed, it is a privilege to be a psychiatrist. It has allowed me privy to the innermost thoughts, secrets, and feelings of thousands of people—from the working class to the elite, from athletic specimens to the dying, from all sexual genders, orientations and marital/living situations. This cross culture of lives and experiences leads to having my own boundaries stretched. Life is truly an adventure and mystery. My ancestors were immigrant Christian grandparents from Lebanon. I owe my grandparents and parents a great deal. They taught me love, generosity, the importance of spiritual faith, the value of hard work, and sacrifice. I am proud of my heritage and grateful of all the support received from many people along the way. It’s time to share and give back a little. I hope to do this, in part, via Charleston Grit, Shrink Think, and my work as a psychiatrist JOHN F. ABESS, M.D., P.A. Charleston is my beloved city. My blog, writings, and professional daily work are the vehicles through which I attempt to share experiences, identify worthy values, and provide emotional support and assistance. Life is meant to be shared. Let's enjoy sharing aspects of our human nature as we travel together through this adventure of life.