HopeFul Reflections

I was fortunate enough to have not matched to residency two years ago. Matching to residency is when doctors get matched to programs for further training. I really wanted to become a radiologist, and my dreams were crushed two years ago. I was devastated at the time and tried to put on a happy face for my friends who did match. However, I did match into a one-year position during which time I would apply again. By the grace of God, I indeed matched but would have a year until my start date. So, what did I do until now?

Higher Education

I had the chance to get an MBA. I have always had an interest in owning my own practice or buying up practices, and other physicians who had achieved these goals had spoken about wishing they had an MBA to make the process easier. I went to a very affordable online school called WGU and was able to take classes online. Online classes allowed me to pursue other goals.

Travel

I had the chance to travel. After completing my MBA, I was able to travel to India, Italy, and Japan. I saved most everything I could during my one-year position and made smart budget decisions on these trips, so I didn’t break the bank. I wasn’t much for travel, but these three places really opened my eyes. The style of living in India was so enticing and calming. The style of Italy was magnificent, from the fashion to the architecture to the food; it was all amazing. The Japanese are such kind and polite people with quite interesting and expressive art and history.

Hobbies

I was able to pursue old hobbies like music, lifting, tutoring, and writing. I had the time to really critique myself and my methods. I was able to spend time getting better at piano, focusing on what I considered ideals in bodybuilding, and improving my overall fitness, and I had the time to think about it all. Well, I discovered something while taking my time to think. I was unhappy.

I am incredibly grateful that I could do all these things and am luckier than most, but I didn’t have a mission in life. I convinced myself that living fancy and free was the pinnacle of what I would do once I achieved all my goals. However, achieving my goals and working for others gives me purpose. I need to affirm that I am human, and that happens when I strive for something. On top of that, while it was incredibly stressful, I was my most fulfilled as a doctor.

What I Learned

I learned that serving others rather than myself made me the happiest. I also served others while tutoring, but I felt the most challenged and that all my skills were put to use as a doctor, and so I was happier. The time off and traveling was fantastic, but it made me realize something very important. My faith is the most important thing I have. When I saw the beautiful countries, buildings, and cultures while traveling, I realized that I kept thinking, “Wow, God made this world.” All the beauty in the world simply reminded me that God made us capable of these things. He put something inside each of us that allows us to be able to reproduce those things. Yet, these are all things which seek to imitate beauty. The creator of beauty is God. Therefore, we seek to strive ever closer to our Creator in making these works. We hope our natures are ever closer to His by upholding manners and offering love. So, in summary, I reaffirmed that my connection to the creator of all, who made all these wonderful things I saw and experienced, is of utmost importance, and I learned I need to serve others as Jesus did to be happy.

-JKG