Posted on 11.2.09 by Sharon Lin, DO

Now that I've had a few weeks to recuperate from long inpatient hours, I'm feeling more alive. It's been a few months now that I've neglected thinking outside the box. Now I have the energy and motivation to send out a green signal, get out of the box, and rejoin society again at large. A faculty mentor, Ben Brown, once told me that life would always be undulating with ups and downs. I'm trending up again - yippeee!

I cleaned my room, brought out the winter things, organized my life, stretched my stiff body, rewrote a few simple goals and taped it to my bedroom wall, got a haircut and actually spent time carefully brushing my hair and trimming my nails ... yes, it's those human things that we residents never take for granted.

More importantly, I'm investing my new extra time not only taking care of myself, but checking in more with my colleagues. We need to keep supporting each other whenever we can.

Recently the few minorities in the program met over dinner for the first time and spoke candidly about our feelings, explored intuitively as we haven't been able to put into words, and made a good effort to improve the communication of our shared experience. It was truly a humbling and wonderful opportunity. Open-minded communication in all directions is always the most important lesson of any working environment. I am grateful for the women and minorities who have created the path to having a presence and a voice over these past few decades.

Lastly, the question of what will our collective future holds has trickled back into my mind. It makes me excited to think that in order for me to be where I want to be in five, 10, 20 years from now, I need to start planning and building now, in the present moment. There are so many opportunities: health care reform advocacy, clinic efficiency and Patient Centered Medical Home, and community capacity-building. I want to do it all, but I only have so much time. How about beginning with simply being. Yes, I am happy simply being in this moment.

The bright orange pumpkins still sit invitingly on doorsteps. The morning fog lingers over all the porches like a veiled ladies waiting for their carriages. The air is crisp and fresh. With a kick-step, today I will start my day.