As the ASHA adventures continued, so many thoughts continued to consume me. My wheels were continually turning, and it felt like everything that was said hit home and resonated with me. I am still in awe of the keynote, and another point Roy Spence said made me reflect on its application to life beyond ASHA. He spoke of a mantra of Aristotle, “do good and be happy.” What a concept. I am sure I have heard this before, but with other things, I heard it, but it did not stick. This time, it stuck. Given the population hearing this address, I would say we all understood where he was going with this point in a different way than someone who may not be going into the helping profession. The most good cannot come from a heart that is not happy. If we are not taking steps to choose a career we love, then we are not going to be able to make the most meaningful and positive contribution to the world. Being happy is not enough either. If we are not passing along our happiness through our actions, then a selfish act is keeping us from showing the world what happiness can look like. The world needs to see the joy of giving and what helping others is all about. A reference to former presidents was made, and believe it or not, politics aside, if there is a need, differences can be set aside to ensure a positive solution is found. Roy Spence then went on to say, “God made us all different, and it is the only thing that unites us.” To know that we each have something unique only to us should teach us to work together to prove unity is the way to change. Without each person’s strengths working together for one purpose, the highest potential is not able to be reached. Finding common ground to achieve unity is not easy, but if decades’ worth of former presidents could look beyond political affiliations, we can do it too in our own communities and lines of work. What we are not able to contribute ourselves, we have an obligation to seek the help of others who can support and fill in the gaps we lack on our own. Two seemingly unrelated topics somehow met and made an impact that I will carry long into my career. I chose this career to help others, and even on the hardest of days, I must chip away at all of the negativity to reach happiness. We need a reminder in life that the world cannot steal our happiness. When we allow our happiness to take a back seat, we are unable to be and do our best. Doing good in this world must prevail no matter what we are up against in life. At the end of the day, as a future speech-language pathologist, I must prioritize the value of communication and humanity. I know that without a sense of community I seek in my fellow professionals, our services are not best serving our clients. And not only to serve in a helping profession is enough; we must be happy with the commitment we made to enter such a profession. I have said it before, and I think it is appropriate to say again. I am inspired by the people who chose this career path forty years ago and are just as enthusiastic and happy about their decision as they were on day one. As long as I still have that spark, I can confidently know my actions are done out of happiness, and the good I am doing is done from a place of compassion. Regardless of the careers we choose, and the life we live every day, we should take a step back to reflect on the reasons we chose to live that way. If we are not happy, it is time to time to do what does make us happy. If we are not doing something good, it is time to close that door and look to something that allows us to do good. If we are divided in our differences, it is time to see the commonality that the greater good must be served, and unity will win. These ideas are a reminder we can all benefit from, and just know that wherever we find ourselves, joy will lead the way. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2018
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