Towards the end of my 14-hour shift at work today, I received a phone call to review a patient.

I was already exhausted, so I asked if I could hand it over to the the next shift but the person at the other end was of the phone started giving me attitude, I just told her, ‘no worries I will come!’

On my way I began to feel very upset because it meant I would finish work later than usual as a result of seeing this patient so late.

Then I quickly caught myself and counted how many patients I had seen today. I was like wow! I felt very proud of myself and the impact I had made in the lives of those patients. I remember my mentor would always say, appreciate yourself!

I began to say to myself as I walked down to the ward: Blessing you are doing well, you are amazing, you are fantastic, you are blessed, you are a great doctor… By the time I finished I felt so good, guess what? The anger had vanished!

I went to see the patient, it was a very quick one, everyone was happy!

See, in this life ehn, do not let anyone or anything steal your happiness!

You may not be able to control people’s attitude towards you but you can control yours!

In the midst of your challenges, don’t forget to appreciate yourself! You may not be where you want to be, but you are not where you used to be.

Now say to yourself: I am doing well!

Lots of love

Dr Blessing Ekundayo