Abbott’s Preparation Week 29 (Medic)

This week has been another week of learning and growth as I progress through my cycle.

While I’ve gained more knowledge overall, I feel that the pace has really slowed down this month. If it wasn’t apparent, there’s definitely been a large divide in the activity and excitement between this month, where I’ve basically stayed home everyday and worked on school, and last month where I was attending culinary school in Italy (which was a pretty cool and fun experience, looking back on it). This week in particular has felt underwhelming in the level of excitement that I’ve been able to glean from the day to day monotony. The Great Courses class I’m currently in is proving to be one of the less interesting lectures I’ve taken so far. This is probably due to the combination of the fact that all the other courses that I’ve taken have been stellar in their formatting, presentation, information and just all around appeal, and also that I already know a lot of this medical information, having practiced it already as a boy scout (and through other similar programs), and also because I’ve recently taken a local in-depth EME class, one of the prerequisites for the EMT school that starts next month.

Furthermore, I’ve been having a massive writer’s block in my daily writing, feeling a lapse in creativity and motivation to pursue my writing passion projects at all right now. Additionally, all the distractions of technology and other hobbies that I am surrounded by have been a major leading factor in a loss of productivity. All these issues and many more have just contributed to a feeling of disappointment with my progress so far, and a little self doubt in my ability to progress further. The most worrying thing about this for me is that I’ve never been behind when it comes to school or academics. I’ve been an A student my whole life, and usually am the first person to turn in an assignment or homework. So ultimately, I’ve narrowed this problem down to a singular cause: childishness. While I’ve only been a legal adult for two weeks now, with everything I’ve been doing concerning my Preparation, I’ve realized I have to grow up if I want to make any progress. This was the case with my flying, and it’s the case now. I need to put aside any distractions or discomforts I have and work hard to achieve the goals I have set for myself. Just as Paul said in the Bible:

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish ways.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

Otherwise, I’ve still made good progress in flying, as I’ve soloed even more, finishing my local solos, and getting an additional cross-country flight in with my instructor (even though the school has been canceling my flights left and right for one reason or another). I still am anxious about when I’ll actually get to take my checkride, and it seems like it’s going to be pushed out into August and potentially even September. I’ve already talked a little about my current Great Course, which I’ve almost finished and plan to be done by Monday. The Caveman Chemistry book has also been slow in progression, as while every topic is captivating in multifaceted ways, they tend to also be extremely dense, so if you don’t have a basic understanding of the topics being talked about, you can get lost easily. I’ve been taking my time in this cycle so far, but really need to step on the gas next week as I get ever nearer to the month-long intensive fast-track EMT school starting August 3rd.

For now, I work with steady hands, and wait with anticipation for the grueling studies that are to come. I know that I must steel myself if I have any hopes of being disciplined enough to triumph against the academic challenges that I must face. I’ll leave off with a quote from Marcus Aurelius, my favorite Stoic, that has helped me keep focused:

“At every moment keep a sturdy mind on the task at hand, as a Roman and human being, doing it with strict and simple dignity, affection and justice–giving yourself a break from all other considerations. You can do this if you approach each task as if it is your last, giving up every distraction, emotional subversion of reason, and all drama, vanity, and complaint over your fair share. You can see how mastery over a few things makes it possible to live an abundant and devout life–for, if you keep watch over these things the gods won’t ask for more.” Meditations, 2.5

Until next time,

• Abbott Springston