Reflecting on a Year Never to be Forgotten
In a year where healthcare workers were called to serve our country, as a group, we stepped up to the plate. We may have started the year with the car in cruise control, living life without any inclination of hitting the emergency brake at some point in our ride to come to a complete halt. Nicely paved highways soon became dirt roads that even the Waze app couldn’t deter us from. We soon had to acknowledge the reality of this bumpy ride being the only route available for a while. Our path sometimes felt like we were driving in the dark with no streetlights and periodically feeling the sudden jolt of potholes that reminded us we could not get too comfortable as we continued to push onward with no end in sight. “We need to remember that circumstances don’t make a person, they reveal a person.” In a time when many relationships were confronted with the challenges of a global pandemic and a divided society, we were forced to take a stance. Sadly, in many cases, this led to a line being drawn in the sandamongst those who were once considered esteemed colleagues, friends and in some instances even family. We learned it’s okay to not be okay, but also the importance of educating ourselves about what goes on both in and outside of our own bubble. However, education without action is just entertainment. “We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Not all was bad this year. We still found ways to celebrate those who found themselves graduating in the center of chaos. Their accomplishments should not be diminished in any way. With “5 Things Every DPT New Grad Should Know,” we tried our best to provide insight to our new PT grads so they can hopefully avoid some of our early career mistakes. We reminded them not to conform to toxic environments and to spend more time chasing experiences, not letters. We shined the spotlight on well deserving physical therapists who have gone above and beyond to leave their footprint on our profession. In my eyes, being the loudest voice or the face that’s always seen doesn’t necessarily designate you as a leader. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Follow me as we revisit the mental state we started the year with; it is here we are reminded to become your patients’ 1. Favorite Teacher and 2. Never Forget Your Purpose. As you’re yearning to feel like yourself again, I’d say it is normal to feel thrown off by all of the debris Hurricane 2020 has hurled at us. “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge anything.” Like any hurricane, some of us will be more affected than others. Moving forward, as we prepare to board our flight into 2021, let us do a bit of a self-assessment. Create your own security checkpoint. Make sure your pockets are emptied of any items that may be harmful to you in the upcoming year. Take the time to re-establish your “why” and begin your journey to become grounded again if you have not already. For myself, I’ll never forget the impact of my 10-year-old mentor who unknowingly taught me what it means to earnestly fight for your patients. You’ll have to find what fuels your flame. This propellant will be unique to you. Hold it tightly! It is precious cargo that should never be left to be mishandled at baggage claim.
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Author: YFF
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