As time goes by, I realize how fast our Earth rotates and how small the Universe actually is. This past month, upon my return to visit Arizona for a family week-long vacation, I got a chance to be away from my normal routine of work and homework. After we finish schooling, “homework” is now defined as house-chores, like cleaning, meal-prepping, yard-work, etc. Although I actually tend to enjoy my homework nowadays, it’s still good to break the cycle a little bit from time to time and focus upon reflecting on my passions. When I was surrounded by the phenomenal Red Rocks of Sedona on the last 2 days, I was mesmerized with the thoughts of re-identifying my core values and trying new things. All I wanted in those moments was to pay attention to joy—the joy of life. It was a true retreat to help me reset the goals that I identified as meaningful and the pursuits that I set for myself. I want to embrace all the challenges that are on my path or about to be on my path. Life is not, and should not be, a battle between “the forces”. Life is about embracing the choices, seeking new perspectives and trusting our intuition while at it. It is about taking actions, in the righteous way and the timing is often up to the Universe.

I was last in Sedona in March of 2015, 9 years before this trip, during my sister’s spring break. She and I visited my kind teacher from my freshman year of high school who retired and decided to move back to Arizona. She took us to Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona during our road-trip and I was introduced the world of Red Rocks for the first time then, which felt like I was on a different planet at the time. That was a good reset for me as I was in a transitional phase after my Undergraduate graduation in December of 2014 and before starting a new Chapter of PA school later that year in 2015. At that time, I needed to find and recreate new purposes for my next chapter. Now, 9 years later, I have been a PA for nearly 7 years since graduating from University of Florida PA school. I decided to return to Arizona and bring my family with me to be a part of my new beginning again. The trip was planned a whole year in advance and I didn't know I would be pursuing another degree this year. As mentioned earlier, the Earth moves fast, yet the Universe is small. I wanted to rediscover the beauty in new beginnings and the endless opportunities they present. At this time, I have registered and enrolled in A.T. Still University for the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Program, which is a terminal degree for PAs. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to tour the ATSU campus in Mesa, AZ while my family and I were visiting the area during the month that I happen to be starting classes. Special thanks and shoutouts to Deb Noble-Petersen and Dr. Beth Poppre for making this happen for all of us!!

To me, pursuing the DMSc Degree is driven by the necessity to secure the means of my professional aspirations in the clinical setting and to provide support for my loved ones back home. I chose to invest not only in my own career advancement but also in the brighter future of medical education and healthcare itself. During the retreat to Arizona with my family, I knew I needed to cultivate my mental and emotional garden, in order to guide myself towards rediscovering and reshaping my sense of purpose. And like any family trips, there were abundance of surprises and we were bound to have all kinds of conversations, even arguments. However, we each appreciated the beauty of our surroundings and the act of nurturing one another. We were all renewed with our definitions for happiness, for home, and for self-fulfillment by the end of the trip. My sense of purpose starts with taking full ownership of my own accomplishments and happiness. I needed to be reminded of the peacefulness in which I can find in everyday moments of life. My own peace of mind and fulfillment requires careful attention and nurturing to thrive.

The sense of well-being is contagious. It’s more like a lifestyle shift, and once achieved, we wouldn’t ever attempt to go backwards. I wish to have an improved state of mind and be ready to embark onto my next Chapter of Life, while representing myself as a UF MPAS graduate as well as an ATSU DMSc student. I have set clear milestones in my past decade of life and now I’m creating a roadmap through my next decade of life, making my new beginnings not just a dream, but a plan in action! Upon reflecting on my growth, I recognize that there are mountains and valleys in life, yet every transition is filled with opportunities for self-discovery and decision-making. I tend to surround myself in smaller circles or environments with the people that I aspire to become or reflect the changes I wish to embody, whether in person or virtually. For example, I follow thought-leaders on LinkedIn and joined Member Interest Groups with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine to continue cultivating enriched relationships in a supportive environment for growth and development. The sense of well-being prevails in these settings.

Even though new beginnings can mean stepping out of my own comfort zone and embracing unexpected challenges, I plan to stay flexible and be opened to adjusting my plans as needed. I see that, many times over, challenges are meant to be opportunities to learn, to grow, and to become more resilient, as a human being contributing to society.