Abhigna

My father always said that living is nothing but the struggle to exist.

I never really understood him as a child, at least until I learned of the sacrifices he made to obtain a better life for us.

Growing up, I never had to face even half the difficulty he did. While I was fortunate to have a happy and peaceful childhood, I realized that in many ways he was not.

Therefore, while pondering the great existential question of “What should I do with my life?” as one generally does throughout adolescence (at least I did), I realized how important it was for me to live a life filled with meaning and passion. It was imperative that I paid the kindness and good fortune I received throughout my life forward.

With my love of biology (specifically human anatomy) and my desire to find meaning through helping others, I realized that my purpose in life is to become a doctor.

I want to be there on the front lines, saving people's lives and making a positive impact.

After some research, I realized that the position that best matches my desires as of right now is that of a trauma surgeon.

One of my biggest inspirations towards reaching this decision is actually the Emmy-nominated medical TV series The Pitt.

Instead of being shot like a typical drama, this series takes the viewer through a single shift at an ER in Pittsburgh in a documentary-like fashion. It shows the plain reality of first responders without adding in unrealistic drama.

While watching the healthcare workers in The Pitt pour their hearts and souls into saving lives, I realized that the meaning and value I had been craving in my life was unfolding right in front of me.

Although my definition of a purposeful life may change over time, I'm confident that I'll be able to build one through paying the sacrifices of my loved ones forward.