Desert Magnolia

Friends of mine who graduated before me and have therefore been in the practice trenches for awhile have often shared stories of how differently they are practicing than they thought they would practice. Everyone had preconceptions in school, developed business plans around those ideas, then entered the real world as practitioners and often changed, dramatically, their intended directions. Funny, but now that I am a seasoned 3 month practitioner (ha), I am realizing that what we thought we knew in school is nothing like real life, and that flexibility is key to growth and survival, moving forward. I thought, for example, that I would launch a mobile practice focusing on retirees, but as I've connected with a clinic and am feeling more at home there, I am not sure I want to be on the move all the time. Also, as I've begun to develop my greater mission of focusing on bridging Oriental Medicine and Western medicine, I am close (I think) to establishing a working relationship ...

"Mom, there's something special about him. He's kind, he's romantic, he's so smart. I think I'm falling for him," she said. He is all of these things and more, and over time my sweet baby girl and her love have explored life together, have move in, have tackled daily logistics and worked together to help develop each other as individuals. He comes from a lovely family from the East coast, a family with which we have grown close over the last few years. They're funny, they're intense, they're Italian, they're foodies, they're very family oriented. And, because of yesterday's events, they will be joined with ours as our offspring unite in marriage. Our baby girl is engaged. And we couldn't be happier. The look on her face as we Facetimed last night was incredible. She was overwhelmed. She was joyous. She was filled with joy and hope and love. And her new fiancee was grinning like a loon, happy that the elaborate schem...

It is done. I am practicing, and every single day I wake up and smile, wondering what new challenges will come my way. Because every single day, a new challenge presents itself. Tough cases, practice considerations, long and short term goal development, all represent constant challenges to every aspect of my being. I am a doctor now, in charge of supporting wellness and healing. I am a businesswoman, in charge of planning and growing a healthy, thriving practice. I am a Mom, still, and realize that though my offspring have long flown the nest, they will always need their mother, and I am always on standby should a moment arise where I can support or guide or simply listen to my babies. I am a wife, of almost 30 years now, and that role has evolved once more into a closer partnership, this time with the rigors of grad school replaced with the reality of practicing Oriental Medicine in a modern world. Each day I thank the universe for inspiring me to pursue my heart's drea...