Change. It is both inevitable and unstoppable, inspirational and heartbreaking. It is both emotive and stoic, superficial and intensely personal.

This past 6 weeks have no doubt reminded me of the power of change as my place in the pharmacy world has been upended. After 25 years in the profession, a restructuring has suddenly left me on the outside looking in.

Initially, this came as a surprise; every role comes with ups and downs but usually even out over the long term. The idea of letting go of a work routine and the network of people that go along with it was always a possibility, but not something I had strongly considered. I am proud of what my teams have accomplished over the years and did my best to prepare them for their next chapters. I just know that they will continue to thrive, though I shall dearly miss being along for the journey.

Although disconcerting, the weeks that followed were full of well-wishers offering support and guidance. What could have been a much darker experience was helped immensely by a stable home life and a passion for the arts; after performing with an amazing cast in Jesus Christ Superstar last June, I am equally chuffed to be back onstage with http://stageprophets.ca for a 2-weekend run of Music Man that takes place in mid-May. It’s a grueling process, but storytelling at it’s finest!

What I have recently found embedded in this cacophony of change is a tiny, exuberant voice that grows louder with each passing day. The message is simple: be thankful for new choices and new opportunities.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” -Socrates

Leave it to a 2,500-year-old Greek philosopher to challenge the status quo by being curious and asking the experts questions on topic definitions that he did not fully understand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_method. My first choice is to adopt the above strategy and be open-minded to the growth opportunities I have today and to those that present in the future. I have looked at some graduate courses, but also have interest in other segments of the pharmacy profession outside of retail, including industry and government. There are so many directions to explore and learn, many of which I am assuredly unaware as of this writing.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” -Barack Obama

This quote from Barack resonates deeply. We all strive to make our marks wherever we dabble. I feel there are so many more contributions I can make to a profession that has given me a rewarding career to date. The thought of once again being that catalyst for change certainly excites me. I want to immerse myself into the next work environment with a renewed fervor, pushing my own creative limits and trying to make better those around me.

“Every day the clock resets. Your wins don’t matter. Your failures don’t matter. Don’t stress on what was, fight for what could be. “ -Sean Higgins

A quick web search on ‘Sean Higgins’ directs to a Wikipedia page for a former NBA basketball player turned Chairman/CEO of an investment company. Admittedly, I did not research this to any extent, but I keep picturing a resetting 24-second shot clock that is used on the court. It seems to fit.

I actually wanted to end on this one because frankly, I don’t agree with the second or third sentences. My wins did matter. My failures did matter. At least they mattered to me. They all helped to mold and create the person I am today. Those experiences will allow me to make the best choices when embracing the inevitable, unstoppable change. The latter part of the quote makes sense. Although I value the past, it will not define me. The time has come to move forward with wide-eyed exhilaration.

“Choices are the hinges of destiny.” – Edwin Markham

Quotes courtesy of https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/quotes-about-change

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.