Good morning, my friends. I am sitting at my kitchen table--half awake/half asleep--drinking a much needed cup of coffee. Rest, however, would be better than the coffee but isn't an option at the moment.
I'm tired. My muscles are moving and going and doing. Big hurdles to jump and achievements to achieve. And all of it has been good but . . . tiring. Kind of like exercise, you know? It feels good, but especially after you've finished it.
I just returned from the Society of General Internal Medicine conference in Denver, Colorado. I'd never been to Denver (in my adulthood) and it was amazing. Saw one of my best friends, Falona, who happens to also be my line/pledge sister and fellow Meharry alum. I've known her since we were nine years old and being there on her turf was awesome. The meeting was great, too.
Lots in my head to share. Looking forward to getting it out of me and into our community of thinkers. I love our community of thinkers. I do. I love every single bit of it because I think we make each other better. At least you make me that way.
Sigh. I have to go round at Grady right now. Yes. On a Sunday after getting in from out of town. But it's cool because I signed up for this. And I'm super thankful that my mentorific mentor slash fellow Grady doctor, Neil W., was gracious enough to care for my inpatient service in my absence. It's nice to be down with smart people. At least, that's what I think.
Man. Travel, patient care, teaching, deadlines. . . sure. . . it feels good to be productive. And, I guess, since I love what I do, it's all a "heart" thing. But. With so much going on, just like any heart muscle contracting, it's work--or systole as we call it when heart muscle does its job.
Me? I'm ready for my heart muscle to relax for a bit. Time for some diastole. . . . .refilling and repolarization, man.
Yeah.
***
Happy . . .yawn. . .Sunday. Here's an old post about systole and diastole in work/life balance.
Knowing as you do about the cardiac cycles, you know you have to get some rest. Be sweet to yourself. Okay?
ReplyDeleteI will. I promise. Thank you, Sister Moon.
DeleteIt was wonderful to meet you in Denver! Thank you so much for sharing your writing and yourself. Best of luck getting back into the rhythm at work.
ReplyDeleteHey there! Thank you so much for stopping by here. I hope you come back soon and often. Denver was amazing. :)
DeleteI look forward to reading about your Denver trip. I went to a healthcare conference there once, many years ago, and felt completely enervated by the altitude -- did you feel tired?
ReplyDeleteHey Elizabeth. Surprisingly, I did okay with the altitude. I did, however, learn my lesson from my attempt at exercising in Mexico City (7,980 ft) which was an EPIC FAIL. I was two minutes in on the elliptical and about died. One of our chief residents was in the gym at the same time and--horror of horrors--I was too proud to get off. Longest 22 minutes of my entire life, I tell you. In Denver I made no such attempts at fitness so all was well.
Deletewelcome home. wishing you smooth rounds and home soon with your beautiful men.
ReplyDeleteRounds was smooth and I actually met a fantastic human being that reminded me of why I love being a physician. I am so glad I went to work after all. And my sweet boys? They planted kisses on me and reminded me even more why I love being a mama.
DeleteThat whole balance thing can be very tricky. Having just closed the Shelter down for the season, I find myself feeling a bit rudderless. This happens every year but it is always strange to feel less productive with more time on my hands. We need to embrace the time we can take for ourselves because it allows us to do what we do for others. I liken it to the warning on a flight to put your own oxygen mask on first...
ReplyDeleteLove, Coach B