Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.
Stress Reflection
This week, I invite you to look at a particular stressor you are currently facing, just faced, or anticipate facing.
At first glance, how is it a threat? When you look through this lens of what's at risk? Notice how that feels. For me, I notice an increased intensity in my heartbeat and a little ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
adaptability
agency
awareness
breath
challenge
clarity
empowerment
mindset
neurobiology
presence
problem-solving
reframe
regulation
resilience
resources
response
shift
stress
threat
Story Reflection
This past week, I listened to a webinar featuring Dr. Paul Chelminski from UNC - Chapel Hill (and my former faculty advisor in the CHARM GME Wellbeing Course). He stated that much of our discontent in medicine comes from taking too much refuge in the idealized version of medicine. (My interpretat...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
acceptance
advocacy
agency
aspiration
boundaries
compassion
connection
discontent
gratitude
grounding
idealism
inspiration
mindset
perspective
presence
purpose
realignment
reality
reflefction
satisfaction
Edit Reflection
When we lived in Florida, we had a lab mix named Snickers. True to his breed, he loved to be right next to his people. While we were temporarily in a rental house, he had to stay outside, and he became an escape artist. One day driving home from work, I saw him happily trotting on the side of the...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
acceptance
adaptability
bias
compassion
connection
forgiveness
grace
growth
humor
identity
interpretation
learning
lightness
mistakes
ownership
perspective
redemption
reframing
rescue
storytelling
The In-Between Reflection
A story with three invitations for you to reflect. A few months ago, a friend asked if I would consider a small part-time role that seemed exciting in some respects and daunting in others. (Plus, the potential to be distracting even). I quickly did the reflex thing that I rarely do - I said, "Of ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
alignment
balance
boundaries
calling
centering
clarity
commitment
decision
discernment
integrity
mentorship
peace
priorities
process
purpose
reflection
service
surrender
waiting
wisdom
Giving Reflection
This week, in the spirit of giving - I invite you to consider who you might gift a unique gift to.
The gift of extending positive intent is powerful.
I once coached a resident who felt a particular attending "had it out for him." He reviewed the evidence. I asked if there was any other way to see...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
awareness
burnout
coaching
cognitive reframing
compassion
emotional intelligence
empathy
gratitude
growth
insight
intent
leadership
medicine
mindset
perspective
perspective shift
positive intent
reflection
reframing
relationships
resilience
suffering
teaching
wellness
Question Reflection
In this week's Joy FM Snippet, I invite you to reflect on the automatic questions you ask yourself on the regular.
Our brains are wired to look for and deliver answers. So if you ask things like, "What is wrong with me?" then your brain will go looking for all the answers. You likely will feel wo...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
adaptation
awareness
change
coaching
compassion
curiosity
empowerment
growth
habits
insight
mindset
neuroscience
optimism
perspective
positivity
questions
reflection
reframing
resilience
self-talk
VW Bug Reflection
For this week's reflection, I invite you to picture a 4-seater car. My friend, Dr Sasha Shillcutt, likes to talk about balancing/integrating life as the driver. You occupy the driver's seat (hopefully!), and then you have one other front-seat passenger and 2 back-seat passengers.
Here's my take. ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
awareness
balance
boundaries
capacity
choice
clarity
commitment
control
decision-making
discernment
energy
focus
integration
intentionality
mindfulness
navigation
priorities
reflection
responsibility
time
Optional Suffering
This week I invite you to look for one area of optional suffering you may want to address.
That is one in which you allow your mind to automatically go. I experienced it firsthand after a bike crash left me with broken ribs. (There's not even a cool story to go along with it - I just make a rash ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
acceptance
awareness
change
clarity
compassion
discomfort
distress
emotion
focus
habits
healing
mindfulness
perspective
presence
reflection
regulation
relief
resilience
suffering
thoughts
Pattern Reflection
This week, I invite you to reflect on what patterns you observe in yourself - concerning anything - relationships, lifestyle, planning, mindsets, etc.
You likely have some very helpful adaptive patterns and some that may be, well, less supportive of the life you want to live.
There is great news ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 08, 2025
adaptation
awareness
behavior
change
disruption
experimentation
growth
habits
intentionality
lifestyle
mindfulness
mindset
observation
patterns
planning
progress
reflection
resilience
transformation
wellbeing
Annoyance Reflection
In the past couple of weeks, both in a group coaching session and a couple of individual coaching sessions with residents, the topic of strengths came up.
There was an HBR article a while back that points out that many of us overlook our strengths (which are critical to optimizing our impact). In...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 03, 2025
awareness
blindspots
clarity
coaching
development
empowerment
frustration
gratitude
growth
impact
insight
leadership
mindset
perspective
reflection
reframing
self-awareness
strengths
tolerance
understanding
1% Reflection
I invite you this week to consider what percent of your average work week includes joy. When you drill down - what are those experiences that offer soul-satisfying glimmers?
If it's below 20% - there is some good news - slowly increasing up to 20% will be protective against burnout. If it's above...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 03, 2025
awareness
balance
burnout
connection
energy
engagement
fulfillment
gratitude
growth
incremental
inspiration
joy
mindfulness
presence
purpose
reflection
resilience
satisfaction
wellbeing
workplace
Team Reflection
I invite you this week to pause and reflect.
First, reflect on the BEST team you've ever been a part of. What were the behaviors, characteristics, practices, established culture, and norms made it so? When you've listed it all out, pause, think more, and dig deeper.
Second, if this is your curren...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 03, 2025
alignment
appreciation
awareness
belonging
celebration
collaboration
connection
contribution
culture
engagement
gratitude
growth
influence
leadership
motivation
norms
reflection
support
teamwork
trust
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
