Posted by Lieutenant Tija Aizala (Visitor) in XO’s Office - Seeking Advice

Posted by Commander Dira Myqian (Executive Officer) in XO’s Office - Seeking Advice

Posted by Lieutenant Tija Aizala (Visitor) in XO’s Office - Seeking Advice
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“I know some of your file, but you might need to fill in some of the blanks for me here and there,” Dira said, giving Tija her full attention. “What specialty did you have previously, and have you explored any others so far?” There was an air of hesitancy about Aizala that told Dira she would need to pull from all her training in order to help the woman the best way she could.

Commander Myqian, XO

“Officially my speciality was only in emergency medicine and trauma surgery, but I also have extensive training in what is often called ‘alternative medicine’. I have been looking into pharmacology and gynaecology as alternative paths forward. I have run a couple of simulations in both fields and I felt comfortable enough in both. I’m just not sure if that is enough,” Aizala replied thoughtfully and then exhaled with a soft sigh.

~Lt. Tija, Doctor

“Enough for what?” Dira asked, as she pushed herself up our of the comfy chair. “Oh, I’m going to grab something to drink, can I grab you anything?” she added as she moved to the replicator.

Commander Myqian, XO

Looking up at Dira, Aizala replied, “A herbal tea would be nice. The once saved as Tija 4, please. Thank you Commander.” She then fell silent and pondered for a a couple of moments how to best answer the other question Dira had asked. Eventually she started, “Whatever I end up doing, I want it to feel like more than just a job. More than just something I feel like I’m being good at. I want to feel passionate about what I’m doing or like there is a … I don’t know, purpose is the wrong word. There is always a purpose to being a doctor. But I chose my speciality for very specific reasons and I feel like I have lost that … drive … or purpose … or whatever you want to call it.” A soft sigh escaped her and she shook her head. “It’s probably silly and asking too much.”

~Lt. Tija, Doctor

“You’re looking for your calling,” Myqian said as she retook her seat, her own mint tea in hand. She could elaborate more but she wanted to see how that phrasing would land with Aizala first. She had ideas about how the doctor could move forward, but this was a collaborative thing and she always found it better for others to come to their own conclusions rather than have them spoon-fed.

Commander Myqian, XO

With her own tea in hand, Aizala leaned slightly back and blinked a few times; her head tilted a little to the left and her lips slightly parted. “Huh, I guess I am. Or maybe a new calling would be more accurate,” she mused as she lifted her cup. But instead of taking a sip, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths before looking at Dira again. “Of course that opens up a whole variety of additional questions,” she said softly and then took a first small sip of tea.

~Lt. Tija, Doctor

“Naturally,” Dira said with a smile before taking her own sip and setting the cup to the side. “But the best part is that there is no one answer, and you don’t need all the answers right now in order to begin this process. You just need enough to take whatever that first step is.”

Dira leaned forward toward Tija. “The thing that people don’t really tell us when we’re younger, and I’m not sure we’d entirely believe them either, is that whatever your calling is can and probably will change, even in just small ways. Because we change Aizala. Or sometimes life changes us. And when we hit those change points sometimes it requires evaluation. So my suggestion as you go forward right now is to see this is an opportunity, rather than a crisis you need to figure out. You’re okay! And we’ll support you however we can to make the changes you need to make for yourself possible.”

Commander Myqian, XO