Sometimes I wonder what it feels like to actually live each day and believe it is my day to live. Many people have had similar thoughts wondering are they at liberty to enjoy their own life. While keeping pace with the hustle and bustle of the daily routine, it is not until one stops can it be realized how much is missed. As I had been busying about my typical routine, it came to pass I had gone beyond living to just existing. In my brainwashed zeal to serve, be the best I could be, and never quit, I lost myself. I was beyond burnout; I was Crisp.  Burnout is a pathologic syndrome resulting in social withdrawal and maladaptive behavior due chronic occupational stress. Somehow I wonder what lead me beyond that stage of burning out to becoming Crisp. Now is the time to recover investing as much, if not more into myself as I have in others. Life and time are meant for learning, growth, development, enjoyment, and giving back to nature. One just has to notice and pay attention. Otherwise all things important pass you by un-noticed. Life has very little meaning; it’s just another duty among the undaunting list. Around what corner, in the performance of what task, where did I leave myself? Burnout is a pathologic syndrome resulting in social withdrawal and maladaptive behavior due chronic occupational stress. Sometimes I wonder if  the burden of daily risk to the welfare of my patients due to endless insurance red-tape, mountains of paperwork, bureaucratic delays, begging insurance adjudicators; all at the risk of being falsely accused of fraud and incompetence contributed? Is it reasonable that a duly licensed, trained, and experienced medical doctor be required to explain typically multiple times everything s/he intends to do to treat their patient to someone totally removed from the case and most often devoid of pertinent medical knowledge?  I think not. Burnout is a pathologic syndrome resulting in social withdrawal and maladaptive behavior due chronic occupational stress. Somehow I know the only reasonably prudent action to take is to stop, step back and take a fresh look around.  It does not matter so much what is happening outside of ones self, but more on the internal workings.  It is easy to become entangled in the web of external activity creating burnout and losing ones self. It takes work to come back to who and what you are, but it is worth it. The answer to your inner peace, your equilibrium with the internal and external environments involves self-awareness, self-forgiveness and recovery. Be relatively selfish for awhile. Buildup your reserve, enjoy your life every moment of every day; and serve others by example. Burnout is a pathologic syndrome resulting in social withdrawal and maladaptive behavior due chronic occupational stress. I do not have to wonder whether I will be able to meet another day’s challenge as long as I take my own advice.  It is a stepwise process that must be embraced. My twelve steps are:(1)             Accept there is a power greater than ourselves.(2)             Understand you can tap into that power for inner peace.(3)             Believe you have the power within you to heal.(4)             Forgive yourself for any perceived shortcomings. (No one is perfect.)(5)             Learn to say “No” and not feel guilty.(6)             Everyday do something just for you because it makes you happy.(7)             Ask for and accept help. Superman and woman are fictional characters.(8)             Believe in yourself no matter what. That is not the same as believing you are right. Listen and always be open. You never know what you may learn from the “least among us”.(9)             Try very hard to think and feel positive to make it your reality.(10)        Take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, nutritionally, and spiritually.  Get adequate rest and sleep.(11)        Laugh as much as possible. Always find something to smile about.(12)        Pick your battles wisely and fight them (figuratively) with honor, but only when you are prepared, ready and have chosen to do so.  Burnout is a pathologic syndrome………. Revitalization is giving new life or energy to somebody or something; recovery and renewal.  Why Wonder? Just take the fist step. The next step will follow.  I am still helping my patients (and myself) as I laugh and smile educating the public about the medical insurance you think you have.  Do not wonder, KNOW.   AgeLesslyU,Jacquelyn G. Lockhart, M.D.