Posted on 07.05.10 by Sharon Lin, DO

I'm officially a third-year resident. I feel an eager excitement as I did as an intern.  The possibilities for creating the right energy, the weight of my responsibilities to inspire the best in others, and the questioning course of decisions are all part of my new role.  Bring it on baby ... ‘cause I'm ready!

I woke up this morning thinking about the new word I wanted to define my upcoming year and was pleasantly surprised that I found it: COURAGE.  I need to have the courage to dream big again.  When residency is over I will have the chance to fulfill my lifelong intentions. There are so many routes to take, and for the first time, I'll have to decide the course.  Sure, everything will eventually lead to the right place, but I want the journey to be part of the pleasure.  Do I take the community health center route, the developing world route, or the entrepreneur route?  I need to have courage to dream big.

Another exciting aspect of being an R-3 is the chance to teach.  I love the idea of creating fertile ground for newbies to excel emotionally and cognitively.  Luckily there are some amazing mentors in my residency who have already created the right energy for me to model after and continue the legacy of promoting curious minds.  And of course there are people that I don't want to model after - that helps too.

On the motherhood part and work-life balance, I'm amazed at how wonderful being a mother is.  Sometimes it really isn't that easy, but for the most part it's doable with the help of a supportive community.  When I'm on a busy service at work, there is very little time to spend with my baby.  We mostly bond at night, during the feedings.  It's those wee hours of the night when I stare at the small face before me that all the magic of our relationship simply amazed me. As I'm totally head over heels in love.