Day 8: That was a joke....

Today I am thankful for those who appreciate the art of sarcasm. 87% of what comes out of my mouth is dripping in it, and it gets real awkward real quick when people don’t catch on. They either think I’m the rudest person on the planet, or exceptionally unintelligent. 

I’m not the type to take work too seriously. I obviously take the medical side very seriously and it’s important to be professional, but we spend all day interacting with the same group of people.  You get to know them, and they get to know you. If you can’t lighten up and toss a few jokes around, you are in for a long day. It’s always entertaining when we switch to a new clinical site and the athletes spend a good two or three weeks trying to figure out if I’m kidding or not. And then it takes at least another week for the athletes to be comfortable enough with me to toss it back.

Needless to say, it takes some people a little while to catch on. But oh it is so much fun when they finally do. I think it’s good for the soul to be lighthearted and enthusiastic in your job, otherwise you’ll become bitter. And if you’re bitter, athletes won’t put their faith in you.

That personal relationship, the one that allows you to laugh and tease while still maintaining your professionalism, it’s vital to their trust in you. And it’s also vital to your sanity.

Today the athletes, interns, and the head athletic trainer were quite feisty. But today also had quite a few learning experiences, which is my favorite kind of day. I’m so happy I found a career that allows for both. Professionalism while still having fun. Maturity while still bantering. Being witty, not crude or cruel.  

I don’t think I know a single athletic trainer or athletic training student that doesn't like to administer a dosage of sarcasm every now and again.

We’re good at what we do. We also have fun while we do it.

But it’s so much more fun when people actually get our jokes.

I am thankful the athletes at my clinical site are starting to get mine.