Dear DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) self,

I hope you found what you have been looking for, learning for, yearning for, dreaming for, reaching for. I hope you are thriving on the top of a mountain in Austria, or at your desk in a clinic someplace snowy, or laughing with a young child who knows that you are there to help. I hope that you are solving problems, conquering fears, and loving every day.

I've memorized the muscles and the bones, I've studied the nerves and the heart strings. I know how they build and how they move and how they break. I've witnessed the power of physical therapy; the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and healing. The beauty of having faith in the body itself. I have defined my strengths and am striving to overcome my weaknesses. I know that I want to help.

I hope that you are helping. Helping the ski racer who's desperately reaching for the Olympics, helping the child who struggles to swing on the swings or climb on the monkey bars, helping the woman you meet on the train whose knees have given up. I hope that you are helping yourself through any adversity and still finding yourself on the other side. I hope that you are inspiring everyone that you meet. I know that I aim to achieve.

I hope that you are achieving. I hope that the hours in the laboratory, the weeks with your nose deep in a textbook, and the years of searching for excellence have helped you to achieve what you have dreamed. I hope that your patients are grateful for your presence, your encouragement, and even your friendship. I hope that your patients and your friends are offering you praise. Don't forget to keep on encouraging yourself. I know that I am brave.

I hope that you are being brave. I hope that you are taking risks—living in new places, on mountaintops, smiling at new faces, and trying new techniques at work. I hope that you are courageous. I hope that you are learning every patient's name and that you are learning their grandkids' names too. I hope that you have learned to escape from playing it safe. I know that I am motivated.

I hope that you are motivated. I hope that you have not lost your curiosity. I hope that you are still reading books by the fire in the evening and baking new recipes for dessert. I hope that you remain faithful to yourself, to your skills, and to everything that you believe in. I hope that you are motivating. I hope that you are motivating your patient's to heal themselves, to overcome their pain and hardship, showing them their own strength. I know that I am evolving.

I hope that you are continuing to evolve. I hope that you keep your skills sharp and remain compassionate. I hope that you feel rewarded by the health and strength of your patients. I hope that you exceed your wishes, but remain humble.

I hope that you are spectacular.

Best wishes,

Me