Live – How to Change the World #8

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This month really hits home for me because of fear and heartbreak for my fellow veterinarians.

In a recent study, 1 in 6 veterinarians had contemplated suicide. An Ignite! talk at by Dr. Tracy Witte discussed what might make veterinarians a higher risk group.

One of my heroes, Dr. Sophia Yin, died by suicide late last year.

I think about her every day. I think about her when a client bops a pet on the head for growling (and I tell them why they shouldn’t), when a talk to a new puppy owner, or when I help teach a team member fear-free patient handling. Every time I think about her I mourn all she still had left to give, even if not to the profession then to the family and friends who loved her.

Dr. Yin did big things, but the truth is that even the little things change the world. You are changing someone’s world right now just by being in it.

While the news is full of celebrities and politicians that is not who most of us are inspired by. The best-selling leadership book The Leadership Challenge found that about 70% of us find our role models in people we know like a family members, teachers, coaches, or community/religious leaders.

Friendship and love is the food that our souls crave and that we cannot live without.

You mean more than you know. You have more power than you know.

Today I am going to send this image to many of the people in my life who have changed my world and tell them why.

I hope you’ll join me.