As I take time to reflect on another year of life, I am compelled to ruminate on this journey that I was led to. In spite of all the accolades, and the beautiful moments that I was blessed to encounter, I must create space to acknowledge the hardships. Many people have told me over the years how easy I have made the voyage look and I am always surprised because it has been nothing of the sort. To be a black man in a field where you are automatically looked at as less than qualified, the micro aggressions from colleagues and attending, to dealing with imposter syndrome throughout training, making mistakes, studying for board exam after board exam after board exam, witnessing patients die, all while watching police kill people who look like me and my family and then having to walk into a hospital day in and day out to be strong in the face of adversity can take a toll. Having to get up daily and intentionally look yourself in the face for encouragement when the process looks dim. It...