Residency Roundup: The Gift of Today

Transitions are peculiar.  Despite all your planning to prepare for a new transition, you never know how you will feel or react until you experience the change.  My latest transition that I wasn't expecting, has been hearing our dear med school classmates discuss or post on Facebook about finishing up residency, hunting for jobs, or reviewing contracts.  While I am very excited about their futures and possibilities, I cannot help but think..."Sheesh, we aren't even half way yet!"  

Often our emphasis is on large life events like graduations, building a solid career, raising good children, obtaining financial security...etcetera.  The medical path includes successes like Step 1 and 2,  the Match, Residency relocation, Senior resident or Chief, and Residency graduation.  Truly amazing things each DrH (and their loved ones) completes.  Large achievements can attract our whole attention.  'In only xx more years and we will be done' 'Maybe then I can have _____' 'What if ____' ....yadda, yadda, yadda.  And while we are looking and dreaming about steps in the future, we may be missing what is happening around us today. 

"You are too concerned with what was and what will be.  There is a saying:  Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.  That is why it is called the present." Master Oogway, Kung Foo Panda

 I would suggest that we work on cherishing every small step we complete, while balancing the preparation for future accomplishments.

My junior year of college I was challenged to keep a gratitude journal for an entire semester.  The idea was to think about and record things that I was grateful for or things that made my life better.  In the beginning, my attention was on larger (easier) things like family, friends, warm shelter, indoor plumbing, etc.  I found my heart changing as I focused on the simple things around me: the bird that was chirping near my window when I woke up, the car that let me merge in front of them, or a new blog post on my favorite blog.   

Residency is tough.  I often look for new strategies that will encourage happiness and joy during those really ridiculously rough weeks or months.  Find what is good in your life each day!

Cheers to Happy Days, 

Cami