03/03/2026
“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.”
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
I often feel torn between the hustle and demands of following my calling in surgery and stepping away to remember the bigger picture - to revisit the 30,000 foot view.
I think, culturally, we wear working endless hours and constantly being full throttle/ nonstop almost as a badge of honor. To be sure, there IS honor in putting in the hours when it is required of us. Nothing great is achieved without this kind of work ethic and dedication.
I also think, in trying to achieve great things, we can forget where we came from - what made us strike out on our journeys in the first place.
When I think back on my why, I’m reminded of my childhood hometown - a small town where things move a little slower, and the tea is a little sweeter. My parents were hard working, small business owners, who did their very best to afford me every opportunity in life. Being from humble beginnings, they knew the importance of dedication and long hours to make dreams happen. Perhaps that’s where I get my tenacity from as well.
More than this, my drops of oil on the spoon are filled with people who loved me, believed in me, cheered me on in the dark hours, and celebrated more than I during the wins. They remind me that my why has always been about people, about love, about being a good human, and hopefully spreading some joy in this world.
