Priorities.

This afternoon, I had a profound thought. Granted, I had been studying at the library for five long hours, so there is the possibility that I was a little, let's say, "out of it," but still, it was a thought.

What about your priorities, Natalie? What do you really want to accomplish in life?

Now, by priorities I was more so thinking "goals in life." So, what are my goals in and life and will I make them a priority? may be a better way to put. And so I thought about it. Here I am, in PT school, learning a whole lot about a whole lot. I am surrounded by some truly brilliant people, individuals with their Ph Ds, who are doing some truly amazing research and who are contributing so much to the physical therapy field. And yes, I am so fortunate for this opportunity to learn about the newest research, to learn about the stuff that is really working and helping individuals live better and more independent lives. And this is AWESOME. Right now, we are learning about traumatic spinal cord injuries such as the that Christopher Reeves had. And it's really tough stuff to comprehend. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to think that one day, everything that Christopher Reeves' advocated for and all the research he helped get started-that it was all worth it! I use spinal cord injury as an example. But it could just as well be that back pain that you can't seem to get rid of? Or the rehabilitation of a patient who had stroke? Regardless, today, in the library, after five long hours, I was struck by just how much the future of medicine holds?!?! And so I ask myself, do I want to be a part of this future? Why do I want to be a physical therapist?

I was talking with a friend at the local coffee house last night. He was telling me that he was jealous of how much impact someone like me, a physical therapist, actually has on the lives of others. You actually get to help people, he said! And of course, I responded, well you get to help people too! You're an architect. You help build things (well actually he is an engineer, he later informed me...oops). So, he's an engineer and right now he is designing a DESTROYER. Yep, that's right. A destroyer. Like the one in Battleship. COOL!!! Apparantly, he's been on this project for 4 months and over the past 4 months, 4 people have quit because of they are unsatisfied with their job. The same thing, all day, every day. (but still, I'm thinking--a DESTROYER!) Anyway, my friend went on to say that he wishes he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He's thinking he wants a career change.

So, here I am again. Pondering why I have become a PT, when quite honestly, sometimes I'm not the most social person. And yet, in my profession, I will always be working right alongside my patients. And while I could show you the essay I wrote upon applying to grad school, I'm not so sure that it'd "fit me" anymore. I've learned a lot over this past year and half. And I can tell you, PT is SO much more than I thought it was. It is so much more than massaging and stretching tight muscles, so much more than instructing people on how to use weight machines or how to use their cane properly. No folks. there's more. And maybe because my understanding of PT (and of the human body) has been turned upside down, maybe that's why I am questioning my priorites. My ambition. My reason for pursuing physical therapy. It's because there is so much more that I can DO within this field. I could begin my own research study. Work in a pro-bono clinic so that persons who can't afford healthcare don't have to live with physical pain and deformities. What are my goals as a physical therapist? Well, I'm not sure really. I'll have to get back to you on that one. But maybenow is the time to really consider where I want to go from here. I know that there are opportunites all around me. Maybe I just need to find where I best fit into the story. The story called LIFE. Yes, as a PT, I actually do get to help people. I am thankful for that. And I am thankful that one day I will get to work right alongside of my patients. And I will get to hear their stories. And I will get to help them accomplish the goals that they have for themselves.