24: Human

In medical school we learn about the human body. But in addition to this, I’m realizing that medical school is also teaching me what it means to be human.

Over the past few years, I have made it a habit to write something to commemorate my birthday. This year, at 24, I’ve been seriously pondering what it means to be human and how my medical school journey has shaped that perception.

I’ve been reflecting on how incredibly different yet immensely similar we are. The cells, tissues and organs that comprise every human being bear so many similarities in structure and function, yet at the same time no two humans share a fingerprint.

We all go through similar seasons…birth, childhood, adolescence…success, failure, aspiration…yet everyone experiences this journey called life in an utterly unique way.

In my musings about life and humanity, I’ve decided to do a creative spin on some of the subjects I’ve studied in medical school to highlight some of the equally important life lessons that I’ve picked up along the way…

The Anatomy Of Success

Everyone wants to succeed. In medical school, you will find the best of the best. Everyone was among the top scorers from whatever high school they came from, so in many ways we have all been exposed to some form of success. But in my short existence, I have come to learn that success can look completely different in different seasons…

At times, success can be the ability to publicly excel in something that you’ve worked very hard for. Other times, success is winning the silent battles that no one knows you’re facing. I have seen my friends, colleagues and classmates succeed in various ways and I have come to develop a new appreciation for what truly goes into winning. In many ways, the journey is just as important as the destination. The more I mature, the more I see and acknowledge the importance of setting the right goals and staying committed to the process. Because at times, success is the journey itself and the courage to try, regardless of whether or not we arrive at the destination we hoped.


The Biochemistry Of A Connection

Connections are truly what make us human. I have seen myself change and transform so much as a result of the people that I choose to interact with. Our ability to influence each other is a gift that can be used for immense good. I tend to be attracted to people who possess the qualities that I desire to have. In the process of interacting with such people, I find myself learning and growing in ways that enable me to be the best version of myself.

I have also learnt the value of finding opportunities to pour into different people in the same way that others have invested in me. Despite the fact that I am very far from being perfect, the truth is that I do have something to offer. Indeed, nothing brings me more joy than the ability to leave a person or situation better than I found it. A huge part of being human is the ability to see yourself in others, and finding a way to make someone else’s journey a little bit easier in whatever small way.

The Pathology Of Failure

Every single person you meet has failed at something. This is quite comforting because it eliminates the unrealistically high expectation of perfection that we can place on ourselves or others. The journey of life is full of ups and downs and there is little to no guarantee that things will always go according to plan. But even despite this state of uncertainty, we can trust that things will work for our good.

A person’s value is not determined by how much they can or will achieve. The value is inherent. And no success or failure can change the fact that each and every person is eternally priceless. So, even in times of failure, you are just as valuable as you were in seasons of success.

The Physiology Of Self

Medical school has helped me learn a great deal about who I am and how I function. The intricacies that go into my thoughts, feelings, decision making and actions will require a lifetime to fully understand. However, at the same time, I realize that the more I learn about others, the more I learn about myself.

I see how I am prone to failure. Yet how capable I am of success. I can recognize and acknowledge the joys, struggles and sorrows of others despite the fact that we don’t experience them in the exact same way.

We are all so incredibly different yet still magnificently similar. I can be kind to others…I can be kind to myself…because I’m not a super human. Rather, I’m super…human.

-RR🌸