Day 34

"It is better to have loved and lost than never to have lost at all" - Samuel Butler

 

 "I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived" - Margaret Mitchell

Day 33

“Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing” - Eric Hoffer


Trying to stay positive when things are not going your way is an act of discipline and focus. There is something inherently difficult in forcing a change in mindset. However, from what I've observed, it seems like the most successful people are those who are able to turn negative situations into something better either by accepting that it is out of their control and letting go, or having the power to positively impact the situation. 


And if this is a habit, then it just takes practice. Although it feels uncomfortable at first to tell yourself to be grateful and happy even if you aren't, you will eventually start feeling happy.

Day 32

"I will not be concerned at other men's not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability" - Confucius 

Sometimes it is frustrating feeling like people do not know what you are going through. Even if others try to put themselves in our shoes, they will not fully understand what it is like to be us. We have to learn to be content knowing that we are excelling for our own standards. 

Day 31

“The future starts today, not tomorrow" - Pope John Paul II


I think it is very helpful to remember that we have the power to control our future. Even though there are times when we swear we have been lucky or a randomly amazing opportunity has come our way, more of that has to do with the hard work we have already invested.

It's probably easier to tell yourself "it wasn't meant to be" instead of "I didn't work as hard as I should have". So, hard work and confidence go a long way!

Day 30

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

 I think it's very easy to get caught up in what other people think, and if that's not a problem for you, then you're very lucky! Basically, my philosophy used to be that I would be nice to people who were nice to me, and I would not let the others get me down. I think that was a good reminder for me, especially since I tend to be a people-pleaser. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but sometimes coming to terms with the fact that you can't make everyone happy will help you from spreading yourself too thin.

Day 29

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." -Taylor Benson

 I know for certain that some of my biggest and best changes have occurred because of letdowns, disappointments, and difficult times. I think it has something to do with not continuing to be in the same painful situation and trying to change for the better. I definitely feel like it is an internal force that is difficult to reckon with, especially being a person who initially resists change. I guess these difficult, uncertain times are helping to make us stronger and we will understand why someday.

Day 28

"Like politics, all medicine is local. Medicine requires the successful function of systems - of people and of technologies. Among our most profound difficulties is making them work together. If I want to give my patients the best care possible, not only must I do a good job, but a whole collection of diverse components must somehow mesh effectively" - Atul Gawande

Healthcare represents a culmination of efforts from physicians, nurses, administrators, and an entire team of dedicated people that provide a certain quality of care. A system is made up of parts that work together, and the healthcare system is no different. Atul Gawande has been able to illustrate how healthcare functions optimally through precise and descriptive examples. Providing the best quality of care to patients cannot be accomplished alone; it is a group effort. What Gawande later explains in his speech to the Stanford University School of Medicine's graduating class is that the world of medicine is vast and thus it is impossible to know everything about it. Employing the help of other experts in the field allows us to provide truly patient-centered care. We are moving toward accountable care organizations, and this is just another example of that.

From a happiness perspective, I find it fascinating to be able to solve problems. Working with other people gives us a sense of belonging and camaraderie and allows us to face challenges more easily.