I went into health care to help people

But I’ve found myself drowning in unknowns 

Along with all the paperwork I take home 

I’m never fighting cancer or heart disease 

Day in and out I’m fighting insurance companies 

But this isn’t just me whining 

Real heroes don’t do that, I’m finding

Plus, it’s futile

But I wanted to share something I’ve learned that is useful

It’s a shame to count down the hours or to wish the workday away

I used to think – at 5:00 I’ll finally get to play 

I’ve read too many obituaries and talked to a lot of old timers 

I marvel at professional runners, surfers, and mountain climbers 

My boss says, “I need you to see patients” 

I used to fight against the gradient 

Pointing out all the reasons I couldn’t 

Hiding behind time and incompetence 

But with enough showing up and trying comes a little bit of sense 

The struggle for perfectionists

Is lowering the bar and learning how to relish in where you are 

Turns out the things I dread 

Are in my head

That after a mistake I can say, “Now I know” (Taylor Swift said this)

Eight years in, I’ve got no more tantrums or towels to throw

Seeing patients has made me live in a sea of patience 

To wish a career away is a horrible mistake 

Now I know 

Listening to other people plus reading some stuff has helped me grow

All the people who get under my skin 

And the fact that there never is enough time 

Is no reason to fight, give up, or whine

Nah, I’ve learned from the old timers 

They recline 

In a sea of sharks (insurance companies) and mean people who call me ugly 

When asthma or an EKG or depression serves me a blow

I don’t look at my watch or out the window

I listen. And read. I go real slow

This (and your job) is not something to escape

We all have to – get to – keep showing up 

That’s how you wear a cape (before Halloween!)

Now when I see patients 

I don’t get anxious 

This job’s a dream

This time we have is what is and I’m gonna have a good time swimming in it