Anyway, I am here writing this
letter perhaps to remind you—yes, the me
in the future—about who you are before clerkship. Hoping that you wouldn’t
change after all those things that you have been into. Hoping as well that I
could shake some senses into you when you suddenly changed and became a monster
without you noticing it. So please remind yourself always and never forget
these things I am about to tell you.
1. Bismillah.
Begin everything with Bismillah: In
the glorified name of Allah. He is the beginning of all good things, and He
will surely make things far easier and better if you remind yourself why you
are doing all this horrible things to yourself: To please Him, to Worship Him
alone.
2. Never,
ever forget to pray. This is your source of inner peace. This is your direct
“landline” to Him. This is your only rope to keep you holding on when things
become too out of control. In good times and in bad, never forget to pray.
3. Read
the Qur’an. I know you will be too
busy to even look at your phone leave alone your books in Internal Medicine and
Pediatrics. Still, find time to read at least a verse or two of the Qur’an or a
hadith. This will remind you of your purpose in life. You already know that
right? Indeed, you are so blessed to be a Muslim, share that blessing as well.
4. Read.
Read. Read. Do not ever lose that sense of curiosity to know more. Keep that
responsibility of being knowledgeable about the conditions your patients have.
What is worse than a doctor who doesn’t know what his patients’ conditions are?
Of course you cannot possibly know everything, but at least do take some extra
effort to learn on your own. After all, this is one of your greatest
responsibility to your patients as well. You owe them that, at least.
5. Do
remember where you came from and who you really are. You are Ahmad, a son of a
teacher, coming from a family with humble beginnings. You started as someone
down below. Keep your dreams high without raising your voice to others. Keep
yourself on the ground, be humble, for you are nothing but a piece of dust. And
dust you shall become one day as well.
6. Remember,
always remember your family. Your dear mother who sacrificed everything and
suffered all her life for you. Remember her smiles, her warm embrace. Remember
to keep her proud by doing your best here. Call her once in a while. Tell her
how much you love her. Tell her you miss her, talk with her about anything. I
know your time is now limited considering your schedules in between rounds and
duties. But please, try to squeeze in a few minutes for her.
Also Remember
your late father, the few remaining memories you have of him and the dream that
you will see him once again someday in Jannah, ameen. Remember your dear
sisters who are supporting you right now. Remember your siblings and your
relatives who have high hopes for you. Remember, you are the FIRST Doctor in
the clan if ever. Do not ever fail them.
7. Treat
everyone with respect and kindness, especially your patients. You may be too
exhausted with everything and your body is yearning to get a few minute of
rest. You are on your verge of breaking down, and then your patient failed to
do what you asked them to, what you expected him or her to do. No, DO NOT BE
ANGRY. DO NOT ever raise your voice. Breathe in, slowly count to five, and then
explain everything again to your patient. Make him understand how important
these things are for him to be treated. Be kind, always keep yourself on their
shoes before doing anything unnecessary. Think before you talk.
8. You
are human. You are not perfect. You can commit mistakes once in a while. Just
don’t make it much a habit to do so. If you fall down, remember that these are
just part of your training, not just in the hospitals to become a better
physician, but in life as a whole—to become a better individual. Learn from
those mistakes and commit in improving yourself to avoid making those mistakes
again.
9. In
everything that you do, just do your best—that’s how Islam taught us right? Do
your best—and put your trust to Allah alone. Remember He knows best what is
good for you.
10. Work
with your team with greater dedication and responsibility as well. Make the
most of what you have to keep the team working. Do not hesitate to volunteer
and help out. Remember that you may be different people altogether but you are
all in this together. You either work as one or you all fall as one as well.
11. Do
strive to accomplish your tasks way ahead of time. Yes, I am reminding you
again about this! Do not ever wait for the deadlines to come for you to work on
your required tasks. Remember how to prioritize things and do what is
necessary. You have done this before, surely you can do it again, right?
12. Don’t
waste your time on worthless things. Manage your time wisely. Time is such an
irreplaceable thing that was borrowed to us. And whatever you do with every
second of it will be recorded forever. And they will never ever come back. This
is the only life you got, yes you only live once and you die only once as well.
Make the most of it with greater purpose.
13. Treat
yourself once in a while. Surely you deserve something that will make you happy
somehow. Go watch a movie with friends, enjoy a long trek, or go buy a cone of
ice cream. Don’t be too hard on yourself but don’t be too lax as well. Just
strike a balance with everything that you do.
14. Believe
in yourself. Yes, believe that you can always do better than yourself. Stop
those pessimistic thoughts you always have about yourself. You are here for a
reason, and because you can do better as well.
15. Remember
why you are here in the first place. Remember all the people behind you that
pushed you up here. Remember the people of Sulu whom you still owe a lot. They
need you back here in Sulu. You have to prepare yourself to be of better
service to them. Keep them in your heart, they are your inspiration; your
shield and your weapon when this war goes from bad to worst.
16. And
lastly of course, with all these things in mind, do not forget about your
health as well. You have a responsibility as well with that body of yours to
take care of it while you are still alive. Follow the advices that you doctors
give to your patients. Live a healthy lifestyle because that is the best way
for you to do better things in life.
Hope you are reading this while in good
condition :) See you by the end of clerkship, Ahmad. Congratulations, you are
half way there!
Yeah,
yeah, I know this is going too long already. SO I will stop here. I
will send this letter again to you after a month, then after 6 months
then after a year just to remind you of these things once in a while.
Hope you won't get to used to reading this and just ignore it. haha.
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