Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine,
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of
Health Sciences,
St. Pomona, CA

Give Yourself a Gift
This Holiday Season

For many of us, the end of the calendar year is very hectic with busy offices, families, and a host of other responsibilities pulling at us. And during this time of year, when we’re thinking of others, I want to remind all of us to stop and take a moment to recognize the one person you probably forget about all too often: yourself.

Take this short moment to think about that person in the mirror who is responsible for the happiness of so many others. For those of you who provide regular medical care, think about the positive effect you have on all those you treat. In the past few months, I’ll wager many of you reading this have healed someone’s wounds, ended a painful condition, restored ambulatory or other function, prevented an amputation, educated someone, or even saved a life. For many of us, this is the average work day.

But stop for just a minute and think about the profound impact you’ve had on so many lives. You’ve contributed an incredible good to the world. You’ve given many people a gift beyond anything money can buy. You spent many years training and working to develop your current position in life, to be in the position to help others.

So, this holiday season, I want to salute you and urge you to recognize yourself, even if it’s just for a moment. Take 6o seconds to think about all the good you’ve done and then do something substantial for yourself. Give yourself a gift.

Perhaps you might do something to update your practice, to make the daily grind that much easier. Maybe you’ll buy that new piece of equipment. Take yourself to a movie. Or read that book you just haven’t had the time for. Get a massage. Or take a bubble bath. Maybe just take a walk in the park at 10 AM when you would normally be in the office. Recall what the sun looks like at that time day.

Whatever that gift is, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is you recognize the difference you’ve made in other people’s lives by what you’ve chosen to do as a career. Remember, you could have picked many other careers, some easier than medicine, but few less significant and impactful. Your choice to be a medical professional has improved the lives of more people than you’ll ever know. With that in mind, I hope you’ll take a moment, give yourself a gift, and have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season.

Best wishes.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]