Header Logo
About Contact
← Back to all posts

Things My Dad Taught Me

by Ben Reinking
Jun 15, 2025
Connect
Share to…
Share

 

I’m writing this to you on Father’s Day, with my dad on my mind.

I’ve always known I am lucky to have him. He’s kind, thoughtful, quick with a joke, and dedicated to our family. He’s been a quiet, steady role model my whole life.

I’m the oldest of seven kids. My parents supported all of us through college and beyond, an incredible gift that meant my dad worked well into his seventies. Not just out of necessity, but because, I think, he genuinely loved it. He enjoyed the practice he built, the colleagues he worked with, and the patients he cared for.

Honestly, if he weren’t so busy attending grandkids’ baseball games, school concerts, and soccer matches, he might still be working. I’m sure there were hard days. But I never once heard him complain about his job.

 

My father didn’t tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it.”

— Clarence Budington Kelland

 

That kind of quiet consistency is something I think about a lot.

 

Because in medicine, especially today, it’s rare.

We’re stretched thin. Many of us are wondering how long we can keep going. And sometimes we forget the power of simply being there—for our patients, yes, but also for each other.

Having someone to look up to, someone who shows up, who listens, who mentors you in the quiet moments between clinic and charting, makes all the difference.

I’ve had those people in my career. And I’ve tried to be that person for others.

 

But here’s the hard truth: medicine doesn’t leave enough space mentorship.

We’re so busy trying to keep up, we forget that mentorship doesn’t always come in big formal programs. It happens in the hallway, while scrubbing for a case, and over a cup of coffee.

So here’s my hope today:

  • That we make room for each other.
  • That we remember our influence isn’t just in what we do, but in how we show up.
  • And that we never underestimate the impact of a steady presence—whether in a family, a hospital, or a life.

 

Happy Father’s Day!

 


Coach's Corner

This week, your assignment is simple.

Write a short thank-you note to your dad or a father figure in your life.

Tell them what you noticed. What you appreciated. What you carry with you because of them.

If they’re no longer here, write it anyway. Light a candle. Speak it aloud.

Legacy is never just in things we leave behind, it’s in who we become because of who they were.


As always, I'm here to help!

🗓️ Schedule a free coaching call with me—one-on-one, no pressure. Let’s talk about what matters to you.

 

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

And you don’t have to wait until you’re at your limit to ask for help.

 

With appreciation and respect,

—Ben

Responses

Join the conversation
t("newsletters.loading")
Loading...
Bridging the Communication Gap: Why Your Message Isn't Landing (And How to Fix It)
  Are We Even Hearing Each Other Anymore?   If it feels like we’re all talking past each other lately, you’re not imagining it. We live in a polarized time, and communication feels next to impossible. In healthcare, the challenge is amplified: high stakes, constant interruptions, and everyone operating at maximum capacity with little margin for listening or giving grace. We were trained to tal...
The Barriers We Build (and why it is time to take them down)
I had two very different experiences this week that got me thinking about something we all struggle with but rarely name: the invisible barriers we construct in our own lives. Experience 1: The Resource Allocation Meeting I sat through yet another meeting about resource allocation. We desperately need nurses and coordinators to support our clinical mission, but we’re stuck in an endless loop of...
Embracing Uncertainty:  How To Anchor Yourself in an Unpredictable World
      Does the world feel like it’s shifting beneath your feet lately? As physicians, we’re no strangers to uncertainty. We’ve stood at the bedside weighing imperfect options, guided by training and instinct when protocols fall short. But here’s the paradox: the same skills that help us thrive in clinical ambiguity Hypervigilance Meticulous planning Relentless problem-solving …can backfire w...

Mastery and Wellness: Thriving in Medicine

A weekly newsletter designed to empower medical professionals to achieve mastery, balance, and well-being in their careers and lives.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved by The Developing Doctor
Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy

Join Our Free Trial

Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.