3/26/19
Now that I have had 24 hours to decompress from the whirlwind weekend that was APhA Annual Meeting, I am reflecting and focusing in on the new theme for 2019-2020. Our president, Kelli Jo Welter, one of my favorite people in the world, delivered her presidential address to the last session of the House of Delegates on Sunday, revealing her theme for the year: Fearlessly Authentic. Here is my initial take on its meaning.
Authentic is defined by Merriam-Webster as: genuine, bona fide, real. This is a concept that has been important to me personally for the majority of my life. Being willing to be honest about your roots, your passions, your beliefs, is a quality that I am called to embody as a Christian.
But being authentic is hard. It’s easy to fall into the social patterns of the people around you instead of standing up against something you don’t agree with. It’s easier not to admit mistakes, and easier to hide the parts of you that may not be shiny and happy all the time. This is where the other half of the theme comes into play: Fearlessly.
Embrace your true self without apprehension. Be willing to admit when you need help, take responsibility for your short comings, and be ready to stand up for your values even when you’re the only one in the room with those views. Being fearlessly authentic is a journey. It takes time to master these skills and know yourself well enough to be able to verbalize your thoughts on controversial subjects.
It will be a journey this year as I continue serving as a regional officer for APhA-ASP, begin my role as chapter president-elect at Mercer, and transition into my second year of professional school, but I promise to work to embody our theme and be #fearlesslyauthentic.
