Read time: 3 minutes
It is often said that change is never good, but I’ve never subscribed to such a notion. I recall a certain period in my life that proves it. It was during my first job as a speech-language pathologist at a state school for the deaf, and I arrived fresh out of graduate school.
My goal was to be the best speech teacher these children had ever seen. I was full of energy, ideas, and, yes, a heaping amount of naivety. None of this stopped me from moving forward.
About three weeks into the role, my supervisor pulled me aside to say, “You know this school has been here over a hundred years. I think we know what we’re doing.”
This was her not-so-subtle way of letting me know that I should be doing what they’ve always done. Don’t make any waves.
For a young and idealistic speech-language pathologist, I was devastated. My supervisor didn’t want to hear my ideas or programs to benefit the children we were serving. She just wanted to maintain the status quo.
Change was threatening to her routine or standard practices. She perceived it as a challenge to her authority. I saw it as a way to improve services, which would lead to better outcomes for the children at the school.
It was a pivotal moment for me. I had to decide whether or not I was going to follow along or if I was going to innovate. But, unfortunately, we never really achieved a positive working relationship.
We tolerated each other, and I eventually left after three years to enroll in a doctoral program. In the end, I chose the children and innovation over the short-sightedness of my supervisor.
In contrast to my old supervisor, I had always viewed change as a net positive experience. To me, without change, there is no growth. Some people don’t embrace change because it forces them to accept the flaws. Everything isn’t perfect.
Here at the 3C Digital Media Network, we have embraced change, and we see the benefits of moving forward. Just this week, we’ve moved our website onto a new platform. This move will streamline our coding and programming processes. Additionally, it will significantly eliminate website glitches.
We’ve listened to you – valued customers and website users. That’s why we decided that a new platform would provide the functionality we needed, especially for online learning. You name it: webinar support – design, development, delivery. Plus, our podcast and blog pages are easier to access.
While we think the new platform will help us do more to meet your interests and learning needs, we admit that we are learning about the hosting too. That means we will be exploring new products and hosting more live events. In addition, we want to continually expand the quantity and quality of the content we have.
Over the next few weeks, reach out to us if you notice something not working or a mistake. Likewise, let us know what you like about the new website and the new available features. If there’s content that you think we should add, we’d like to hear about that, too. We will respond to correct the situation.
My goal was to be the best speech teacher these children had ever seen. I was full of energy, ideas, and, yes, a heaping amount of naivety. None of this stopped me from moving forward.
About three weeks into the role, my supervisor pulled me aside to say, “You know this school has been here over a hundred years. I think we know what we’re doing.”
This was her not-so-subtle way of letting me know that I should be doing what they’ve always done. Don’t make any waves.
For a young and idealistic speech-language pathologist, I was devastated. My supervisor didn’t want to hear my ideas or programs to benefit the children we were serving. She just wanted to maintain the status quo.
Change was threatening to her routine or standard practices. She perceived it as a challenge to her authority. I saw it as a way to improve services, which would lead to better outcomes for the children at the school.
It was a pivotal moment for me. I had to decide whether or not I was going to follow along or if I was going to innovate. But, unfortunately, we never really achieved a positive working relationship.
We tolerated each other, and I eventually left after three years to enroll in a doctoral program. In the end, I chose the children and innovation over the short-sightedness of my supervisor.
In contrast to my old supervisor, I had always viewed change as a net positive experience. To me, without change, there is no growth. Some people don’t embrace change because it forces them to accept the flaws. Everything isn’t perfect.
Here at the 3C Digital Media Network, we have embraced change, and we see the benefits of moving forward. Just this week, we’ve moved our website onto a new platform. This move will streamline our coding and programming processes. Additionally, it will significantly eliminate website glitches.
We’ve listened to you – valued customers and website users. That’s why we decided that a new platform would provide the functionality we needed, especially for online learning. You name it: webinar support – design, development, delivery. Plus, our podcast and blog pages are easier to access.
While we think the new platform will help us do more to meet your interests and learning needs, we admit that we are learning about the hosting too. That means we will be exploring new products and hosting more live events. In addition, we want to continually expand the quantity and quality of the content we have.
Over the next few weeks, reach out to us if you notice something not working or a mistake. Likewise, let us know what you like about the new website and the new available features. If there’s content that you think we should add, we’d like to hear about that, too. We will respond to correct the situation.
After all, we are here to serve your interests and learning needs. So join us by helping us build the 3C platform to be second to none.
Contact one of the partners with the following information below, and thank you again for your support!
Connect, Communicate, and Collaborate. That is the 3C way.
©Photo by Gajus via Canva.com
Connect, Communicate, and Collaborate. That is the 3C way.
©Photo by Gajus via Canva.com
You’ve certainly experienced loneliness,
right?. But did you know about its long-term effects?
Former surgeon general,
Vivek Murthy, claims that:
"People who
struggle with loneliness end up living shorting lives…are at an increased risk
for heart disease, depression, dementia, anxiety, and a host of other
conditions.”
Now that statement makes you stop and think,
“I don’t want that.” Now to clarify, loneliness isn’t inherently wrong; each
one of us needs time alone. It also is not entirely based on how big or small
your social network encompasses. Instead, loneliness becomes an issue when it
turns into something more chronic.
Professor of psychology and neuroscience at
Brigham Young University, Julianne Holt- Lunstad, defines loneliness as: “
"…the discrepancy between our
actual level of social connection and our desired level of connection.”
You see, what’s haunting about loneliness is that it shows no prejudice based on race, class, or gender. Anyone can feel lonely, even if it seems like they would be the last person to experience it.
The idea of loneliness can heavily impact not
just a person’s physical health but mental health too. Support systems feel
like they’re breaking down. All you feel is isolation. Self-preservation takes
over.
The point of learning about the effects of
loneliness shouldn’t make you dismayed. Instead, it should inform you to
protect yourself against chronic loneliness better and assist others when they
could feel lonely. Loneliness indicates that we should be connecting with
others to live in a community.
Think about what community means or looks
like to you:
- What does community look like to me?
In-person? Digital?
- What are some communities that I could be a
part of based on shared interests?
Try to identify what friends you connect with
most:
- Which friends do you connect with the most?
Why?
- Should I start making a weekly or monthly
time to hang out more with this friend?
Or you could start making new connections at
the park, an event, at school. Anywhere. On the flip side, give people grace
when they might be feeling lonely. Their distance and bad behavior may be
symptoms of a more significant issue they are internalizing. Better yet, ask
them if they need help with anything. You could brighten their day.
If you or someone else you know ever starts
feeling loneliness in the worst way, breathe. Realize that often it’s a
temporary phase that can be resolved by leaning on old connections or creating
new ones. Of course, dealing with loneliness is a personal process. Take your
time.
There is no shame in feeling lonely. However,
we should remember to do our best to avoid the type of loneliness that affects
physical and mental health because there is so much more life to live.
Connect, Communicate, and
Collaborate. That is the 3C way!
Thanks for reading,
~Katheryn
Note: This article is a summary and review of a piece done by Freakonomics Podcast. The source can be found here: https://freakonomics.com/podcast/loneliness/.
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K. Todd Houston, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
Todd is currently a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Akron.
In a career that has spanned nearly 30 years, Dr. Houston has been a photojournalist, an Executive Director/CEO of an international non-profit organization, a clinician, published author, researcher, and an academic. This professional journey has shaped a world-view that embraces diversity and supports engagement across cultures.
Dr. Houston has a passion for ensuring that others have an opportunity to fully express themselves.
Combining his journalism background with more than two decades of focused work with children and adults impacted by hearing loss, Dr. Houston has co-created a company that is committed to producing a range of content that informs and inspires.
Through the 3C Digital Media Network, Dr. Houston will bring together a diverse array of voices who can tell their stories and inspire others to be their very best selves.
Combining his journalism background with more than two decades of focused work with children and adults impacted by hearing loss, Dr. Houston has co-created a company that is committed to producing a range of content that informs and inspires.
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