Unexpected Alignment: Why I Chose A Career In Chiropractic

After a night of worship and scripture reading with my campus ministry, a group of us headed to Donut Country to stuff our faces with donuts before heading home. Each week, my campus minister creates a new conversation prompt for our “Fellowship of the Donuts” group, and this Tuesday night was no different. He turned to us and asked a simple question: “When in your life did something turn out differently than you expected?” BOY, did I have STORIES! There are countless events in my life that I wish I could erase. If I could, I would have changed the hearts of thoughtless boys; I would have anticipated the folly that comes from destructive life choices; I would have not had to spend thousands of dollars; I would not have let my voice be hushed by those who treated me unfairly; I would have loved myself deeper because I would have truly understood His overwhelming love for me. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would have met all of the expectations if I had a foreknowledge of the things to come. I long to pour out my heart to you of all my trials and mistakes and how God rescued me. Someday, I will reveal my testimony in its entirety – but it is not this day.

People have always said that God works in mysterious  ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and his ways higher than our ways. [1]

If you asked me a few years ago what my life would have looked like now, I would never have thought I would be where I am or been challenged with the obstacles that were thrust in my way. However, I know that everything is working for a greater purpose. At the start of my college career, I was a Panhellenic, musical theatre girl with a fear of missing out, and many ambitions laced with a lack of clarity. Now, I am headed off to chiropractic school as a health-nut who loves her small tight-knit group of friends, has fostered a deep relationship with her Abba Father, and wears the scars of her failures as beauty marks.

This leads me to my big topic of the day. If you do not follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may not be aware, but I was recently accepted into Palmer College of Chiropractic! (!!!!!!!!!!!) Some people who are unfamiliar with chiropractic care in their lives, or think they know what it’s all about, have asked me why I chose this career path. Some are concerned that it was a rash decision since I will be moving in July, or that I will miss out the last year of undergrad at MTSU that I was supposed to have. Others are overjoyed. There really are a wide mix of emotions – but that comes with every decision that a young adult such as myself makes with her life. I received compliments and backlash on my decision to pursue theatre, and then my decision to pursue becoming an army trauma surgeon. It is a part of life. However, what I DO want to address is my decision in choosing to attend chiropractic college, how it is even feasible with graduating, and how this is the most exciting and God-instructed journey I will take thus far.

Let’s start with the ‘why’.

Every career path of mine has centralized on one idea: my act of service to the world would be through healing. My love of theatre stemmed from my desire for an audience’s catharsis and emotional/relational healing. After the discovery of my passion for science, I turned to the idea of physically forcing the body to heal by surgery – taking it apart and sewing it back together. However, it wasn’t until this past year that I uncovered what had been under my nose since I was 15. I had never considered chiropractic as a career until I had been adjusted for 5 years and worked for the doctors. The Center for Integrative Medicine wrote: “Chiropractors primarily perform adjustments, or manipulations, to the spine or other parts of the body to correct alignment problems, alleviate pain, improve function, and support the body’s natural ability to heal itself.” [2] With a focus in nutrition, I want to foster a medical environment where healing can occur beyond the patient room.

With a career in chiropractic comes many benefits that are not typically seen in the job environment except by entrepreneurs. I will have the skills to build up my practice, manage the finances and payroll, act as the CEO, control the hiring process, set my own hours, and choose which techniques and methods I will implement in my office.

Also, I cannot ignore the desire to someday be a wife and mother. Unlike my earlier goal of becoming a surgeon, I will not have to be on-call or work long shifts. I can prioritize my future family. If I want to act in a community theatre production, I could do that as well. There are no limits!

So how the heck are you attending in JULY 2019 when you were anticipating graduating undergrad in Spring of 2020?!

Ah yes – this is a hot topic. I am not graduating. (WHAT!) Since I met the prerequisites required for attending any medical-type institution, Palmer granted me the opportunity to complete my BS and DC simultaneously. This saves me a year or not only money and stress, but also TIME!

I had the option of starting in July or November, since the terms are set up as trimesters. However, I decided on July at the start of this month when I first received news. November was not really on my radar. Who wants to move up north during the snow and right before the holidays? For anyone who knows me, you know I love change and spontaneous adventures. This may seem like a hasty decision; while it was fast, it was not reckless. When I crave change, it is usually because I am trying to run from my present situation. It is fear-motivated. With this choice, it was completely different. I feel no doubt in my decision – only peace.

……………….

Life is unexpected. I cannot wait to let this new chapter of my life unfold – and I am glad it is a beautiful page without grief. Don’t let societal constructs determine the standard for your life. Let your passion run wild.

 

[1] Isaiah 55:8-9

[2] https://share.upmc.com/2014/10/chiropractic-works/