
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
Lessons, lightbulb moments, and honest reflections from life inside and outside medicine - served with a side of perspective.
Tags: optimism
Showing 5 results:
Lessons in the Messy Middle Reflection
“Celebrate the abundance within troubles.” – Will Miller, MD, Annals of Family Medicine, 2010 📸 Thanks to Jay Fetter for the reminder and this powerful slide in Atlanta last week where the year long STFM CBME pilot project wrapped up.
The CBME pilot participants showed us what it looks like to le...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 19, 2025
abundance
adaptation
breakthrough
challenge
change
clarity
complexity
courage
culture
curiosity
design
discovery
experimentation
failure
growth
innovation
insight
leadership
learning
meaning
momentum
optimism
persistence
progress
purpose
reflection
resilience
tension
transformation
uncertainty
Staying Power Reflection
A couple of weeks ago, I had the gift of facilitating a panel discussion with seasoned leaders in academic family medicine — people whose careers span decades, whose influence is immeasurable. I asked them to name a single word or phrase that captured what contributed to their longevity in this w...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 12, 2025
belief
calling
creativity
detachment
emotional wisdom
endurance
generativity
hope
imagination
impact
inspiration
leadership
legacy
longevity
meaning
mindset
optimism
purpose
resilience
ripple effect
sustainability
trust
vision
Spring Outside Story and Reflection
On March 6, my husband said - let's run tomorrow night. Our local running store offers unofficial community runs each week. Normally, I'm the least spontaneous person I know - maybe it was his enthusiasm or the sun shining through my Alaskan window. I was like, "Let's do it!"
It was a fabulous ru...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 10, 2025
adaptation
appreciation
awareness
change
community
gratitude
growth
hope
humor
identity
joy
light
optimism
perspective
privilege
reflection
reframing
resilience
seasons
spontaneity
What's Possible Reflection
My husband has an affinity for renovation. He's talked me into 3 major renovations over 3 decades. He's the visionary. I used to be overwhelmed walking into places and immediately discount them as hopeless. But, he would say, "It has good bones," and "I can see it in my mind."
I learned to believ...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 09, 2025
belief
brainstorm
brainstorming
collaborate
collaboration
creativity
flexibility
growth
innovation
mindset
obstacles
optimism
patience
persistence
perspective
possibility
renovation
resourceful
resourcefulness
solutions
strategy
support
vision
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
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections
