I have always found comfort in the things I was rejected from.

In high school, it was the mean girls clique. I became an independent spirit.

In college, it was the dance team. I became a captain and then the president of the women’s boxing club.

In med school, I fit nowhere

except with the surgery residents or by myself at the gym.

In surgical residency, I was tormented by the women ahead of me. I found my way to trauma critical care.

As an attending, I’ve not been offered jobs that I thought I wanted at the time. Not one of those programs has

turned out to be anything other than problematic and I was so so grateful that I missed the dumpster fire.

Again and again and again the Universe has made me down-on-my-knees grateful for rejection. We are only ever rejected from the places and spaces not meant for us.

Every

day I try to send a word of gratitude to the Universe for extricating me from horrible situations that I did not yet have the courage to walk away from. Because the Universe was kind to me, I now have the courage to walk away from things that no longer serve me. From jobs that

make me miserable. From relationships that make life harder instead of making it easier.

At the time, these lessons were tearful and hard-earned. Now these rejections come easier. I give thanks and praise to whatever is bigger than us for saving me, repeatedly, from situations

not meant for me. From people who would do me harm. From jobs that chewed me up and spit me out.

We are not meant to live like that, folks. It doesn’t need to be that hard. And when we lack the insight or the courage to walk away, sometimes the Universe has to intervene. And

thank whatever is higher for that intervention.

It stings so badly at first. But in the end, there is nothing but gratitude.