Step by Step

It's been 3 months since I've written on this thing and it seems like time is flying by. It's been over a year since I started my path and the pressure is building each and everyday. My applications are due in about a week and at this time last year I was thinking to myelf that there was plenty of time before applications are due. It's weird to think about everything I've gone through these past 18 months. 18 months ago I had my "dream" job and thought I was set for life but God had other intentions for me. Although I sometimes forget about why I made the decision in the first place, I remind myself that this decision was not done so on a wimb but rather by faith. I'm scared to death by whats to come in the next few months, my applications will be submitted, i'll surely be rejected by many schools and just hopeful that God will place me somewhere. I've realized that I should use each situation I go through as a learning experience and look at the positive rather than the negative, as cliche as that sounds, it's benefited me for the better.

I've learned a lot these past 18 months and have grown to realize the plan I often set for myself isn't necessarily the plan God has in store for me. This lesson will surely be with me as I continue on this path. Looking back, how often have my plans not gone "according to plan" but always work out for the best in the end. I'm often focused on the short-term and thinking why something didn't happen the way I had planned. In the long run, how often have I been wrong by my desire for something short-term? It's difficult to think about the long term especially when we're so fixed on wanting immediate results but it's all in His timing.

For the past month I've been fortunate enough to observe at Shady Grove Hospital in the inpatient care. Many patients are recovering from serious injuries such as strokes, spinal surgery, hip replacements, and many others. For the most part, the patients always seem to have a good attitude and don't seem too negative by their situation. It's made me think about all the times I let the little things bother me and how I get so frustrated in certain situations. These people have gone through traumatic injuries, are in a hospital but remain joyful in their everyday lives. I'm hoping that I will be able to forget the small things and live joyfully.

Pressure

I talked to a friend recently who started working immediately after she graduated. She explained to me the pressures she feels at work and the need to meet a certain standard just to feel a sense of adequacy. She explained she doesn't feel she can openly speak her mind and show her creativity at work because she's worried about what the experienced/older employees might say. She is without a doubt one of the hardest workers I know and often motivates me to want to do better in school.

Our talk made me realize all the pressure I'm feeling now with summer school moving so fast and GREs less than week away. Many people say the GRE for PT school isn't THAT big of a deal and the score you get isn't nearly as important as the score you get on the SATs. Just the thought of taking a huge standardized test that will be sent to schools is nerve wracking. I think the worst part is the GREs are done on computers now so you find out your score immediately after the test is completed. This will either be a huge burden lifted off my shoulders or another weight pushing me down. I find myself constantly seeking after God in this time because I know I can't pull this off myself. My prayer request is that God watches over me through this whole process and that I lift up my worries/struggles/blessings all to him because in all honesty I wouldn't even be given this opportunity to pursue my dreams if it wasn't for Him.

I know I talk about school a lot in these posts but in all honesty its whats taking up most of my time and what I think about constantly. I honestly appreciate everyone's prayers and thoughts as people continue to urge me to stay focused and continue to work hard.



"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. "

Psalm 32:8

Determination

So it's been a while since I've updated this thing and I've had this entry thought out in my head for some time now. I just finished my second semester of pre-reqs and it definitely feels good to be done with physics. I ended up getting a B in physics which I'm thankful for. Overall these past 2 semesters have gone by so fast and really this entire move I'm making is going by so fast. I made my decision almost exactly one year ago and here I am finished with 4 of the major science courses 9 classes I need. I think everything clicked in my head once I made a PTCAS account which is where you apply to all the schools and submit your information, school records, references, etc. I'm going to be taking my GREs in a month or so and I need to buckle down and study for that. It's crazy how fast it's going and I'm thankful that I have friends who are open to answering my questions. Also through this whole process I've come to realize that God has been teaching me a lot through this whole process, specifically about patience, trust and perseverance. Several times through these past two semesters I've found myself thinking I can do it all by myself which usually lead to doubting whether or not I made the right decision to leave Accenture in the first place. I know that it's absolutely impossible for me to do this on my own and that I will undoubtedly need God's presence through all of this. I still worry about whether I'll even get into a school next school year but that's in God's hands. He's already blessed with even the opportunity to pursue PT with the support of my family and friends, people around me who are so willing to answer questions and even classmates who are my age who are also seeking physical therapy. I've been fortunate enough to meet a couple friends who are also pursuing PT. There are plenty of things that I need to improve on this upcoming semester and I know that I won't be able to make these changes alone.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I think this is the first Thanksgiving where I've really given thought to all the things I'm blessed with. God has been SO good to me and I am truly thankful for everything. I know I take things for granted but I truly am blessed. I'm thankful that my knee is pretty much back in working order and I'm back playing basketball comfortably without much hesitation. I'm thankful I have the opportunity to pursue my dream career. I take this one for granted because there are times when I don't study as hard as I need to (as shown on my poor grade on my last chem exam) and forget the real reasons for returning to school in the first place. I'm thankful to have the friends around me who support me and are always there for me. I'm thankful for my family who even though may not completely understand my decision on going back to school, fully support my decision for happiness. I'm thankful for a God that is always forgiving and continues to bless with so much.

I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving dinners and appreciate everything we've been given, and for all you crazy people going black Friday shopping, have fun and be safe.


Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Motivation

So I'm roughly a month and a half into this 5 year process of changing my career. It's gone better than expected in the sense that there a lot of people in my classes are going back to school to pursue other careers. Even today this one woman who is in her 40s said that she's going back to school for physical therapy as well. Although its only been a month there are still days I wonder if I'm making the right decision. I've had numerous people tell me that they could see me being really good and passionate at physical therapy which is always reassuring. Although many of you don't know it, a lot of you motivate me just by pursuing what your passionate about. Friends like Chris, Martin, Jason, Shannon, Judy are all in PT school right now and have been open about answering all of my questions. Also friends like Miranda, Andrew, Angel, Kirsten, Stephen are going through their respective graduate programs. When I talk to them they complain about the long hours of studying but continue to push on because they're focused on the end goal and that's something truly worth fighting for. People like Victor, Maria, Chris who are all already therapists have offered their opinions and advice as well. I also am thankful for the fact that I have friends like Nick, John, Becca, Joshie, Adam who are all going into physical therapy as well. Although we may not be at the same step I'm thankful that we're all able to support each other. Thank you to my friends who have shown their support/belief in me, especially during those times where I don't believe in myself. I truly am blessed to have such an amazing group of friends who support me each and everyday.



Apologies if I missed anyone.

Turning The Page

So here we go... the official start to my long journey to physical therapy. Tomorrow is the start of classes and I'm taking Chemistry and Physics to start things off. My schedule isn't too bad and I hope to find work at a physical therapy clinic sometime in November. It's a surreal feeling that everything is beginning, it honestly feels like I'm a freshman all over again with all the jitters.

Part of me still thinks I'm crazy for giving up a comfortable job to chase after something that could never happen. The thoughts of failure still float around in my head everyday but I realize that my motives for making this decision was giving from God. In the past my decisions were made base on wants or poor reasoning. My reason to go to Maryland was, "just because." I never even allowed God to show me where I belonged because I only applied to three schools. I prayed for months asking for guidance in making one of the biggest decisions of my life thus far. After talking with numerous friends and of course with God, my decision seemed easy. I'm going to fully trust that God's in control so why worry?

The start has arrived and I'm eager to get things going and the end goal is my drive to focus and do well in school.

Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
1 Chronicles 22:13

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

I'M BACK

I guess saying the words, "I'm back," doesn't have the same affect as when Michael Jordan said it. I went to see my doctor yesterday and he's cleared me to return to play basketball as tolerated. I'll begin easing my way back into basketball and getting back into shape. I honestly couldn't put into words what the last 10 months have been like and how I feel at this moment. The relief that everything healed properly is all attributed to God. I truly believe he has put me though this trial for a reason and I've definitely been blessed through this learning experience. After finishing up with my physical therapy and being cleared by my doctor, I am more convinced than ever in my pursuit of physical therapy.

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders with the news I received yesterday. I've definitely learned to not take things for granted. Many times we take simple things like walking, running and sports for granted while we can still do them. I still remember the day I got hurt and the injury keep replaying in my head. In that one moment, basketball was taken from me and little did I know it would end up being for 10 months. I think I've learned a lot in the past 10 months, particularly to cherish the things you have now and working hard for the things you want. It's hard to put into words exactly what it's like to go through major surgery without having experienced it yourself. I'll admit even that I was a bit naive to the struggles I had to go through in order to get back into sports again, pretty much rebuilding my right leg which lost all of its muscle after surgery. I was also fortunate enough to heal in 4 months, 3 weeks as it takes some people over 6 months to heal.

I truly appreciate everyone's support and concerns and couldn't be more blessed with such an amazing group of friends. God truly is amazing and I could not have done this without him. Uncle Kevin spoke on Sunday about the pursuit of happiness and mentioned Jeremiah 29:11 which stuck out to me, "¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse could not be any more relevant to these past 10 months and I thank God for putting me this experience.