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: surrender
Showing 4 results:
Preparing for Storms, Part 1
I’m writing this on Tuesday morning, September 22, before the storm hits.
To be clear, the actual weather here in Central Washington is supposed to be pretty perfect.
I mean all the things.
Tuesday night: Husband arrives from Alaska. Furniture moving and construction-site Tetris begins.
Wednesday...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Oct 02, 2026
acceptance
adaptability
change
chaos
construction
control
courage
endurance
expectations
faith
family
flexibility
furniture
growth
home
hope
hurricane
imperfection
letting-go
moving
overwhelm
patience
perseverance
perspective
planning
plywood
preparation
preparedness
priorities
readiness
reality
reflection
relocation
resilience
resourcefulness
responsibility
storms
supplkies
surrender
transition
trust
uncertainty
unpacking
vulnerability
Two Travelers and A Mountain: Tale and Reflection
Two explorers set out on a journey to find a hidden village high in the mountains. Both were experienced travelers, used to well-marked paths, sturdy bridges, and reliable guides.
They started on different sides of the mountain which strattled two countries. The first traveler was started in an...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 12, 2025
acceptance
adaptation
agency
awareness
calm in chaos
clarity
comparison
expectation reset
expectations
frustration
internal shift
journey
mindset
orientation
perspective
presence
privilege
purpose
reframing
resilience
resistance
surrender
systems thinking
transformation
trial and error
Wake Up Call in Paradise: Story and Reflection
In 2018, our annual mid-winter break took us to Hawaii with our adult daughters and our one grand-little at the time. We stayed together in an Airbnb, soaking up the warmth and beauty of the islands.
One morning, I took the grand in the stroller while the others split into two groups of runners h...
by Dr. Tonya Caylor —
Jun 12, 2025
acceptance
calm in chaos
clarity
composure
detachment
emergency
faith
false alarm
family
gratitude
grounding
instinct
legacy
meaning
mindfulness
mindset
perspective
presence
priority reset
reflection
resilience
surrealism
surrender
uncertainty
value alignment
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
Joy in Family Medicine – Stories & Reflections