Author Archives: Catherine Cheng, MD

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About Catherine Cheng, MD

I am a general internist in Chicago, Illinois, mother of two, almost native Coloradan, and Northwestern alum. I want to leave the world better for my having lived, by cultivating the best possible relationships between all who know me, and all whom I influence. Join me on this crazy, idealistic, fascinating journey! Look for new posts on the 10th, 20th, and 30th of each month. Opinions posted here are entirely my own, and in no way reflect the opinions or policies of my employer.

Love Notes for Fitness

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I am *almost* there with the pistol squats, baby! I can now get down to and up from an upright yoga brick on my right leg, with the left foot off the floor for 3.5 reps. The left knee is still bent at 90 degrees. So in the coming year, I bet I can get to full hip and knee flexion on the standing leg, and full knee extension on the ‘pistol’ leg. It’s a goal, woohoooo! I feel no pressure, only aspiration and fun.

Setting joyful, pressure-free, functional, and achievable yet challenging goals gives us self-efficacy. Achievement despite struggle in one domain gives us confidence in other aspects of life. We stand a little taller, speak a little firmer, and walk with a little more runway vibe. We own our agency. We get strong and confident, which makes us harder to threaten. We know we have power to, so we feel less need to exert power over. It’s a win all around.

Let’s get fit, yes?

  1. May you move your body in joy and strength, in peace and community. We are built to move and do together!

2. Moving the body trains the mind which helps sleep which rest(s) both body and mind. Fitness in one domain positively impacts fitness in others. Any action counts.

3. Michael Jordan I am not. But I can follow his example of dedication, discipline, and excellence. Fitness transcends athletics.

4. Fitness applies to more than the physical. Where could we be more fit in life? What do we need to get better? Wishing us the support that helps!

5. Move with others at least sometimes. We are meant to go together, encouraging each other all along the way in life!

6. May your fitness routine bring not only cardio, core, and muscle strength, but a sense of unassailable accomplishment and confidence!

7. “All or something,” The Betty Rocker says. I wholeheartedly agree. Even one breath can make a world of difference. It all counts. Now go get it!

8. Hey in case you need encouragement: Dancing counts! So shake that booty. Joyful movement is awesome exercise.

9. Attack this workout! You’ got this! We can do haaard things! Then we go to the bakery and get treats.

10. That soreness after a great workout – evidence of work completed, tissue growth and strengthening. Bravo/a! Keep going!

11. The five attributes of physical, psychological, relational, and organizational fitness: Stable, Strong, Flexible, Agile, and Resilient.

12. When we feel fit, we treat ourselves and each other better. Invest in and protect your self-care — for all our sakes!

Oh and if anyone is interested, here is my workout playlist! Until tomorrow, friends.

Love Notes for Reunion

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Day 13 of Love Notes! Unlucky, perhaps? [Correction: this is Day 14] The Wi-Fi is out and the internet signal at my house is poor. So we do what we can. The daily dozen are written below. I will upload and update with photos when I can.

Feeling so deeply connected today, my friends. Saw long time patients this week, with whom I have aged a decade or so. Son comes home for the weekend tomorrow for the first time since daughter’s graduation in June. We will have lunch with my college friend, visiting from out of state. Saturday we will attend the funeral of a dear friend from church who nurtured us both; we will see many old friends there. Then I will meet my grade school friend who is also in town. Social media and group chats keep me up to date on so many of the lovely humans in my life. And every opportunity I get to spend some quality time, even if brief, fills me to bursting with love and gratitude.

I wanted to capture that energy in these notes. I think I got close with a few.

Wishing us all the deep, fulfilling feeling of special connection from reuniting with those who see us, know us, and love us, all through the years. May these relationships be ever accessible, to pull us up from any depth, shine onto us in any darkness.

Photos soon, friends! 🙏🏼

  1. There is something special about childhood and adolescent friendships. When they know you as stupid youth and still love you later, that’s love.

2. Family. Classmates. Friends. Colleagues. The energy of reunions is the essence of togetherness. We commune in love.

3. So happy to see you and be with you again. Any time away from you just feels a little less bright. Thank you for being you and bringing your whole self everywhere.

4. You went through stuff together. Your memories are shared. There is a bond there that is yours together; only you understand. Recall it fondly!

5. No matter what happens or how many years pass, we will always have the us that we were then. It is a precious memory and a source of light and strength. Thank you.

6. When we see each other after so long apart, may we be fully present, body, mind, and spirit. May we drink each other in and feast on our love, feeding us both in cosmic connection.

7. We knew each other before we fully knew ourselves. We’ve grown up together, even if apart much of the time. Our bond persists and strengthens over the years. Love you.

8. I savor you when we are together. When we depart, I take an extra long look. To last me until next time. And when we reunite, it’s still as sweet and joyous.

9. The older we get, the more people we have known, the more chances we have to connect and reconnect to amazing humans! YAAAAY!!

10. How does time and space apart alter our attitudes? I hope for a softening, a lightness that brightens our perceptions and opens our generosity and love.

11. May your reunions with long lost loved ones fill all of your souls with the warmth of strong connection despite and resilient to time and distance. Hold on tight!

12. Even if the parting tasted bitter, may the reunion be mostly sweet, reminding you both of the connection that nourishes in Agape love.

    It’s connection. But that word just doesn’t do it justice. Communion isn’t exactly right either. It’s an ineffable understanding, a seeing and knowing of souls, a limbic recognition. It’s a universal, visceral, spiritual experience… and it’s not just human—we observe animals who manifest it. Maybe it’s an essence of sentience?

    Well, anyway, I hope I may have sparked and fanned it for some here. It’s too good to not chase every once in a while.

    Love Notes for Love

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    Bee Butt Friend. I have decided this will be a distinction of love that I confer on anyone who manifests the ethos. And I will continue to strive to do so myself! 😀

    The past week has seen me full on binge the Crowns series by Nicola Tyche. US Review of Books apparently calls it, “The political intrigue of Outlander or Game of Thrones with the magic and thrills of A Court of Thorns and Roses.” I’ve texted Friend Phara (who recommended it to me) multiple times a day (sometimes an hour) since starting the first book 8 days ago. Book Two began three days ago and I’m 88% through. I will hold off on Book Three until after the busy upcoming weekend, if I can manage it. Then we will FaceTime to gush about it together, and I will use that and all of my texts as notes for a future blog post/review of this epic, sweeping story.

    And because I cannot help myself, and I will positively burst if I don’t output something about it now, tonight’s daily dozen will all be inspired by these extraordinary books. Oh and I highly recommend the audiobooks–Shane does not narrate them, but Katherine Kennard, Connor Brannigan, and Zach Hoffman do a phenomenal job!

    My favorite books of 2024 and 2025 so far were Beastly Beauty and Never the Roses, respectively. This series further clarifies what I love most about romantasy, and also likely historical romance. More on that later.

    Meanwhile: LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

    1. OMGosh love makes (us) do CRAZY things! And life would not be nearly as colorful, joyous, meaningful, or deep if it were any other way.

    2. However you need to feel loved today, may the people around you deliver in spades. May you feel seen, heard, understood, accepted and FULLY LOVED exactly how you are.

    3. When we find ourselves challenged and/or even threatened by others’ words, actions, or ideas, may we 1) find safety, 2) breathe deeply and slowly, 3) withhold judgement, and 4) stand in love first.

    4. Is there an experience with more capacity, more depth, more simplicity and complexity than love? I cannot think of any.

    5. Rupture. Repair. Repeat. Love mends tears and cracks so the seams are where the art of life (is) strongest. Love on, my friends.

    6. Loving is risky, no? “No risk, no reward,” as they say… And loving is its own reward, in a way, also no? Being loved in return is, of course, ideal, but just giving is fulfilling in itself.

    7. Phenomenally, our hearts and minds can always accommodate MORE LOVE. It is an infinite resource and its well has no bottom. SMH Cosmic.

    8. When you feel overcome with love, what music fills you? I bet it’s crescendo without being loud, sonorous and light yet deep and resonant. ANTHEM-y.

    9. It is both vulnerable and brave, I think, to see, acknowledge, and express when someone else in pain needs us, and to go to them in tenderness. These are the moments of true connection. So precious.

    10. You know that feeling of total, saturated overwhelm by love? OMG I wish you this ALL THE time! What other energy could possibly be more nourishing?

    11. May you(r) love lead you always, ahead of fear, shame, convention, expectations, contempt, anger, indifference, and apathy. Cultivate this as DEFAULT.

    12. Love is amazing — It fills and lifts whatever container holds it — However it is required, it shows up and meets the need. It is reliable, versatile, elastic, and renewable. Wow.

    Hmmm. Some of these are good, but there is still so much more to capture about Love, isn’t there? I mean DUH. Like twelve little off the cuff notes could cover it. HA! How fun.