Do What You Love
I have been a chiropractor since 2012. When I first went to chiropractic school, I really think I was in it to be able to work for myself and make a decent living. Upon graduation and a few years into practice, things shifted. My focus truly became helping people.
I have seen some truly amazing things happen. The first amazing thing was my own story. I sought out a chiropractor to help with migraines, and I have never had another migraine since. I have had some patients that I truly wasn’t sure if or how chiropractic could help, but I was willing to try, as were the patients. I have seen hemorrhoids clear after adjusting a patient. I have seen bed-wetting stop in another. I have seen knee pain disappear in several other patients. There are a host of truly life changing things about which I could go on and on. Chiropractic is truly an amazing occupation!
One time I had a high school student that shadowed me for a week. He had asked me if I get tired of seeing people that are in pain and/or cranky. I thought about that for a moment. On the surface, that may be what it looks like, but I really don’t see it that way. What I truly get to be a part of is someone’s healing. I get to be used as an instrument for healing in someone’s life every single day. That excites me! Sure, patients come in hurting and grumpy, but I also get to see them receive healing and leave with a much brighter demeanor.
There are times when the healing patients receive is not physical, but mental. It has nothing to do with the adjustment, and everything to do with listening and letting someone know that they are loved and cared for. I will often pray with my patients who are open to it because a prayer can change someone’s life. For those that are not open to it, I don’t pray with them, but I pray for them later because whether they like it or not, I believe everyone should be healed and whole.
I meet some fascinating and lovely people in this business. The age ranges are from newborn to elderly, and I love it! Not all people are as friendly as others, but I feel like it’s a win if I can make them smile that day. I love when I have busy days at the office because that means I get to see and help all sorts of people. Really that’s what it’s all about… the people.
I remember at one point I was volunteering my services at a homeless shelter. I was really nervous about it, but felt like that was what I needed to do. I had never experienced the homeless population before and I think my thought process was just plain wrong. What I quickly found out is that these lovely people are just like you and I, but hard times had fallen and they didn’t have a support system to help them back up. The truth is, you and I could be in the very same place with just one decision. Those times were eye-opening and rewarding because I got the opportunity to pour into someone without expecting anything in return and see it make a difference in their life and mine.
Before I became a chiropractor, I was in business. My undergrad was in advertising. I had just come out of school and 9/11 happened. Finding a job was very tough at that point, let alone a job in advertising. So I took jobs in whatever area I could. While some of them were what many would consider really good jobs, I hated them. I don’t think I kept a job longer than 2 years at a time. I decided that I wanted to do something else. I knew I wanted to do something in the healthcare industry and eventually landed on Chiropractic. Looking back, I know my discontent was because I wasn’t doing something I loved nor was I called to do it. I can say, however, that each of those jobs prepared me to be in business for myself. I have been in chiropractic for 10 plus years and I love it!
I truly feel like chiropractic is my calling. I may not be the busiest office in town or adjust the same way as everyone else, but I do what I think is right for my patients and in the end they appreciate it. The most important thing you can do today, is to do what you were called to do because that is where you will make the most difference, and that is how I feel about my job.