MIA
or why I haven't been around
A little over a year ago I set out on a new adventure. I decided to leave a job I’d been at for over six years and step into an entirely new role in an attempt to put my money where my mouth is. To attempt to make real change in how we help people with memory loss. I wanted to show that these individuals have lived amazing lives and dementia is just one part of that. I wanted to show that we can do it better; that we can make a difference. That I could make a difference.
Here’s what I learned:
Change comes slowly. Very slowly. While my brain and my entire being is ready to change the world, not everyone is ready to change with me. At least not the lightning speed that I’d prefer.
Change requires others to buy into your vision. You can sell it all day, but if others don’t see it or don’t want it they’ll never buy.
Gather your tribe. I mention this in my first book, but it’s really true. Be sure to surround yourself with others who see the potential of your vision and support each other to get there. There is strength in numbers and they also help in those moments where you doubt yourself (and trust me, you will).
Take care of yourself. I’m an all in kind of girl. When I’m focused on something, it’s like a laser. That said, I tend to neglect myself and everything around me. If you could see the disaster that is my house right know, you’d know how much that’s true. Finding balance is the key. When I find it, I’ll let you know!
Maybe smaller bites are better. I have a whole training called “Eating the Elephant" that talks about this, but sometimes I forget my own wisdom. Maybe I’m trying to do too much at once when I should strive for smaller wins. Just like my goals for my patients and clients, I should break things down into manageable pieces and celebrate the little wins rather than expecting the whole enchilada at once. Maybe I’d feel more successful if I did.
I’m sure some of you can relate to all of this. We want the best for our loved ones, clients, and patients. We want it now. We don’t want to have to wait for what we feel is right and just. If you’re anything like me, you wanted it yesterday. If it were up to me, that’s just what would happen. I would snap my fingers and everything would fall in line. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t work that way. At least not yet.
In the meantime, I’ll have to just keep trying to change the world one day, one person at a time. Focus on celebrating my little wins knowing that they build toward the big goal I have. And keep looking for those who see this amazing world with me.
I hope you are one of those who also see this ideal world of respecting and honoring those with dementia to help them live an amazing life and that you invite those who also see it to join this page. Together, we CAN change the world!