Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!



I have a lot to be thankful for and would like to take some time on this beautiful fall day to remember that.  I have a place to live and food to eat.  I can meet my basic needs and also the higher-order needs that we have as humans: for self-expression, community, and meaning in life. 

I am thankful for fulfilling work.  Yes, medicine is hard.  But it’s an honor to take care of people, to listen to their stories, to learn something new every day, and to work with amazing colleagues from so many different disciplines.  In academic medicine, I also get to teach new doctors the art and science of this vocation and add new knowledge through research.

I am thankful for my family and the love and support we share for each other.  Thankful to be adding a new baby to the mix soon.  And thankful that this pregnancy has been uncomplicated so far, at least in physical terms.  Juggling personal and professional lives is a complication of its own, which will only become more challenging.  We all have to figure out how these two realms can be complementary, rather than in conflict.  I am glad that Baby will have the role models of a working mother and a dad who excels at the manly duties of childcare. 

I hope that you also have a lot to be thankful for today.  I know I tend to forge ahead without always pausing for reflection.  It is good to be reminded not to take things for granted.