Association Perspective
Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA
I have a hard time falling asleep. My mind turns over and over with the many things that need to be done, and occasionally I fret over conversations that could have gone better the previous days or conversations that need to happen that haven’t yet occurred. I’ve tried aromatherapy, prayer, counting sheep, counting the dogs that are chasing the sheep… well, you get the idea.
Lately, it seems that the changes happening in our society are occurring so quickly that many of us are experiencing the same restlessness. Restlessness at night then ends up translating into anxiety throughout the day. Change all around us is difficult—even if you are a person who likes change. It occurred to me that perhaps a transparent reflection on how I try to center myself in these tumultuous times might be helpful for some of our readers.
For those who grew up in the 1970s, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a staple of entertainment. The show ran from 1968 to 2001, which is an incredible stint for anything on TV. Fred Rogers had an impact on generations of Americans because he was grounded in core principles for which he was unwilling to waver. What did we all learn from Fred Rogers?
The value of routine can’t be underestimated. Our lives were not built for chaos. Yes, chaos happens, but the mere definition of chaos—behavior so unpredictable as to appear random—tells us that it isn’t normal. Fred Rogers actually discussed the subject of unexpected events many times on his show. Yet there were some things about him that were distinctly calming. He never overreacted even if something surprised him. Can’t you hear his steady voice just now as you read? In fact, every show started with him hanging up his sweater, changing his shoes, lacing up his new shoes (he helped teach many of us viewers to tie our shoes!), and visiting with his regular neighbors. Having some aspects of routine in our day can center us.
Personally, I love to walk into the office and back home every day. I enjoy getting a cup of coffee when I get to the office, rotating my coffee mug for the day between those I’ve been given as gifts, and reflecting fondly on the people who gave me that gift. I read something inspirational from my faith tradition or from a motivational writer. I spend some time reflecting and encouraging myself along the way. Routine is grounding, and I’d say we probably need to be more intentional about having routine, particularly in times of significant change.
Fred Rogers always maintained a positive tone to his voice. He’d ask questions to seek to understand the situation in front of him if it seemed unusual or surprising. He’d try to put himself in the other person’s shoes and understand why they’d said what they said or did what they did. And he’d provide positive affirmations to individuals, even if he disagreed with him. To say Fred Rogers was unflappable would be an understatement. Of course, I’m sure he had his moments, but we rarely ever saw them. What we learned from this was that authenticity is important.
Authenticity alone isn’t enough, though. Fred Rogers also taught us something that we need now more than ever: Be kind. The Fred Rogers Institute at Saint Vincent College says it this way: “It’s easier to be kind than you think it is. It’s easier to be nice than to be mean.” While we can’t control other people’s words or actions, we can absolutely control our own. I’ve written about kindness in this column many times. I’ll tell you that while I sometimes fail, my efforts to be kind in every interaction help center me and reduce my anxiety.
In a world in which fighting seems to be the norm, change is accelerating, and the loudest voice seems to get the attention, it’s critical for us all to center ourselves. When we are centered individually, we can lead organizations based on principles of mutual respect and understanding. And together, we can achieve countless accomplishments.
For every pharmacist. For all of pharmacy. ■