prosciutto wrapped ogen melons

As second year medical students, we plan and execute a retreat for the incoming class. Our beloved professors (that we can now appreciate more genuinely since we passed their class) give opening speeches to really rev up the new students for their first year…or rather emotionally prepare them for the tidal wave ahead. As I was sitting there listening to these speeches, my heart was heavy with an intense gratitude, and a single thought replayed in my head: thank God I am not a first-year! I do believe that was the hardest year of my life thus far and I am wonderfully and fearfully grateful that it is over. Time passed so quickly since last year when I was sitting at retreat listening to those same professors give those same speeches. Without the nervous angst clouding my brain this time around, I was actually able to hear the words the professors were saying. Here are a few ideas they touched on to ready the mind for yet another year of this whirlwind.

Humility: the notion of who you serve. As a Christian, I serve a big God. One that I both expect and fear will use me. I recognize my minute role in His overall intentions with this world, but I do hope to play that minute role well. Medical school humbled me a few times last year (and I expect this humbling will continue) but the humility I now think of hinges more upon the idea of one’s stature in comparison to another. My posture before God, the highest and grandest, is naturally one of humility. I can adopt no other status besides his lowly servant. But I covet no other status more proudly.

Mojo: that which is best in you that shows on the outside. Busy lives often mask the best inside of us due to the tough resolve our daily tasks demand. Last year, I more often than not silenced my inner desires to spend a little time with a friend or do something special for Ben. I am embarrassed to say that my once-servant-like-heart was buried under books until it hurt a little. These little decisions not to volunteer my precious time became a habit of self-focus. Yes, medical school often requires this sequestering of self in order for effective studying, but I still need to make more of an effort to love on others more frequently and intentionally. Most people we run into on a daily basis only see our exterior: our body language and tone of voice, how we interact with others, etc. I suppose the goal would be to cultivate a sound and happy inner self to a degree that it overflows to our exterior, with the result that our “mojo” is something positive to anyone we encounter.

The Ogen melon is an Isreali variety (kind of like honeydew or cantaloupe). I met a little man at the Farmer’s Market selling these beauties. His warm eyes and genuine smile showed me how truly exited he was about his produce! After he told me all about the sweet taste and heirloom seeds (in his Rhodesian accent), I just had to buy one. Wrapping melon in prosciutto balances salty and sweet and makes for a super easy appetizer.