empathy, but not emotional. that's one skill medical students have got to develop in our training. the essential need to be empathetic towards your patients, to put ourselves in their shoes. YET at the same time, not be emotionally-attached. otherwise it would just cloud your better judgement. that's something i think i'm slowly and surely achieving proficiency in.

but now and again, it fails.

i remember reading a biography of "Coach K" (USA Basketball's coach), where I first saw the concept of "next play". if this time you go down the court and stuff something up, there is no time to dwell over it. you've got to clear your mind of that play, and move on to the "next play".

integrating the above two "techniques" has allowed me to move past each "failure"or obstacle i meet. at the same time, i really don't want to lose emotions. such an integral part of each of us, but having been too "emo" a person in the past, i now tend to divide into "thoughts" and "feelings". it's a delicate balance, and something that has to be learnt.

tired. very tired. need sleep.