6.5.12

1. I am blessed. Plain and simple, I am blessed beyond standard. Yes, some of it is a result of my own doing, but most of it is equated to pure and absolute luck. Four years ago, I was standing in front of hundreds of elementary school students in Tanzania, East Africa. The conditions of the school were grim. There were no floors, no running water, and roofs that could cave it as a result of a simple rainfall. But, the kids were smiling. Not only were they smiling, but they were beaming. In that moment, I came to a realization:

The only way for me to explain and accept all of the incredible things that have happened in my life, is for me to utilize the love, support, opportunity, and education that I have been fortunate enough to receive and pay it forward to help the greater good. I wanted to help others. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to change a life.

Today, I paid it forward. I helped another person. I made a difference. And hopefully, I helped to change a life.

2. I am appreciative for the support of others. In an intensive PhD program, it is easy to focus on challenges. It's easy to complain about professors. It's easy to ridicule others for shortcomings. It's easy to want more. But, today, when things were beyond difficult, everyone came together to help, support, guide, and care. Today, I realized that this program is far beyond research, clinical work, coursework, writing a dissertation, or obtaining an internship. Rather, it is about working together, leaning on each other, learning from one another, and appreciating the opportunity to make a difference.

3. Today was a difficult day. I didn't get to eat, I didn't get to check my phone, I didn't get to look at emails. I was nonstop for 11-hours without even a sip of water. But throughout the emotion, throughout the fear, throughout the intensity....I thought about Brian. Through each moment, he was on my mind. I knew that no matter how difficult the day would be, or how things would turn out, he would be there. He would be there to hug me. To listen to me. To lie with me. There is no greater gift than having a partner to walk through life with and knowing that no matter what a day may bring, that we have each other.