Dear UIWSOM peers, If Eric Cassell is accurate with respect to the nature of suffering, then I know what suffering is. Cassell describes that suffering can come from a loss of self in relation to the world, whether it be things, events, or relationships. His description of suffering most resonated with me in the aspect of loss of relationships, more specifically the relationship with myself. During my junior year of college, I began working on my application to medical school – MCAT, essays, applications, more essays. After what seemed like constant and continuous year of working and applying towards my lifelong dream, I didn’t even get a single interview. I failed. And this failure was somewhat of an identity crisis for me. I knew how to fail on the soccer field, how to let my teammates down, how to get problems wrong in the classroom, but I had absolutely no idea how to fail at what I had considered my life or how to let myself down. I hated the idea of failing, and as my ow...
Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places that people never thought you would.