Thread by @DMalebranche

1/
I am leaving academic medicine for the 2nd time in my life.

I am walking away from the combination of job duties I love most:

Service
Teaching
Research

I didn’t leave because I felt disrespected or unacknowledged as a Black faculty member.

That was the 1st time.

2/
I left this time because I had to.

I had to stop putting everyone else first while throwing myself under the bus.

I had to refrain from running into brick walls that I knew were not moving or capable of being toppled over.

I had to accept that my healing is important too.

3/
I had to acknowledge that I have yet to truly grieve over my deceased father.

I had to admit that #COVID19 has changed me.

I had to stop to catch my own breath instead of only helping everyone else catch theirs.

I had to realize I was exhausted and needed a break.

4/
I had to respect that my candor, transparency and passion are strengths, not weaknesses.

I had to listen to my heart instead of my head this time.

I had to be reminded that I am the asset.

I had to reaffirm that institutions, not individuals,, are expendable.

5/
I had to embrace that I am neither a robot nor a worker bee.

I had to allow myself space to rejuvenate and room to grow.

I had to recognize that I am powerful beyond my wildest dreams.

I had to leave to rediscover me.

#WednesdayThoughts
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