While volunteering in the rehabilitation gym at Lutheran Medical Center, a fellow volunteer asked me questions about Judaism. 

This led to a discussion about the nature of life's meaning. In that vein, I was asked why I decided to choose a career in physical therapy.

 I didn't fully develop the idea at the moment, however as I was on the bus heading home I realized that I wanted to choose a career that reflected the nature of life itself.  It's the element of activeness, the power to transform our self  that can only come from within and is cultivated and nurtured by those who inspire us.

Physical therapy is like that. Without the intrinsic motivation to take that step, lift that weight, or flex that hip little progress will be made. Therapists empower and encourage the patient to actively participate in their own health. A therapist is a motivator that inspires patients to realize that if persistent and compliant with the prescribed exercise regimen, they can achieve significant progress and compensate quite effectively for their limitation.

We too experience events that inspire and awaken us; the challenge is channeling that newfound passion and awareness to actual transformation. It begins with incremental action, regardless of how trivial it may seem. No action exists in isolation because our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are intricately interrelated. Like an expert painter who can discern how each minute brush stroke contributes to the meaning and expression of his painting, we can reflect on our own lives and see meaning, beauty, and magnificence by gradually developing our spiritually and morality.