Why, thank you

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Why does time slip by quicker every year? Maybe it's only seeming that way because as I've gotten older I've finally realized how important each day really is.

Naturally, the holidays seem to fly by faster than the average bear day because they are the days we long for the most and spend endless amounts of time daydreaming about. We imagine what we'll do on our time off and who we'll see. I am guilty of doing all of these things... and then my jaw drops when I realize that those 4 days were a lot shorter than the 4 days I had imagined in my head!

Either way, I am thankful for any 4 days off--be they short or not. I am even more thankful that I get to spend the holidays with my entire family--Mom, Dad, Todd and wife Rebecca, Corky, and Caitlyn. I'm so lucky to live so close to them all. It's times like yesterday that I realize how much I love being so near to them. Praise be to God for giving me so much more than I deserve. I will surely come into his presence with thanksgiving in my heart.

Oh, and who's excited about Christmas season??? Let the decorating, shopping, and music begin!

Inspiration

Here lately, I've been struggling with my positive attitude towards school. I know it's normal to wake up and not want to study for the day, but I've been having too many moments that make it hard to stay motivated. I have needed to change something and somehow give myself a reminder of why in the world I decided to go through this schooling and become a doctor. Now that our test week is over, I'm spending a little time searching for reminders. My first and important boost of reassurance lies at this website: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/index.cfm

Doctors without borders. Seeing those top news articles about how so many people in this world are struggling to get proper healthcare reminds me that I chose this career in order to help those in need. In my essay for my med school application, I even wrote about taking my M.D. outside of the U.S. and helping countries that are lacking in healthcare options. There will never be enough doctors in this world. We will always be needed somewhere. Knowing that will help me push along this long path that I chose. Not only did I choose it, but God also chose it. That's some great rejuvenating juice right there! Hopefully more reminders will come along the way, but I know that I have people praying for me daily and encouraging me.

"You need preparing. You need arming. But most of all, you need constant, never ceasing vigilance."
Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"You know, a lot of people go to college for seven years."
"I know; they're called doctors."
Tommy Boy