When I was in labor with my second child I remember hitting the transition phase of labor and verbally telling those in the room that I couldn't do it. I expected those in attendance to have sympathy for me and take action to relieve my pain. Instead those surrounding me told me, "You can do it! You already are!". That was enlightening and encouraging. The pain wasn't getting worse. It was holding steady and I was working though it. It was tough but I was doing it and I knew it wouldn't last forever.
When I was a little girl my dad would take me and my sisters on hikes. Looking back I'm amazed at his bravery to take 3-4 small girls on decent sized hikes by himself. We were usually pretty good troopers (my dad might have another story) but once in a while we would start to get tired and would probably complain. It was these times that my dad would encourage us with this chant:
"You can do it! You can do it!" over and over again.
It helped when I was a little girl and it still helps today when I'm feeling tired or worn out with the challenges of life.
I often get discouraged at the difficulties of Residency life. I can get through a day (sometimes barely) but when I think that I have to do it for a week, a month, 10 months, a year, 3 years etc. its so overwhelming. But then I remember: I can do it! I can do it! Because I already am and it won't last forever.
AND YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
