Inspire, Empower, Unite

 

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and the shadows will fall behind you”, Walt Whitman

 

In roughly ten days, we are excited to be hosting our 69th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Grapevine.  This year’s theme, “Power of Connection: Inspire, Empower, Unite” has meaning that goes far beyond this year’s Convention.  Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”.  A core value for the United States Air Force is “Service before self”.

With all that our profession faces on a daily basis from regulations to staffing to budget challenges to meeting the care expectations of family and residents, it is imperative that we work together, collectively and inspire others to keep going when they are down or when they believe they’ve given all they can.

As I’ve said many times before, the efforts and responsibilities that you take on in your communities are those that so many are either unwilling or unable to accomplish and the positive impact that you leave on those communities and families is priceless.  When you take pride in your profession, you have ability influence others along with the opportunity to make a difference.  You do make a difference.

I look forward to seeing all of you in a couple of weeks, and I thank you for all that you do.