Be The Change

Be The Change

I am writing this on the last day of November. Thanksgiving 2012 was just one week ago. One week ago! And, we are less than one month from Christmas Day. As I’ve mentioned before, this can be a very hectic time of year, but also a very blessed time of year – a time of renewal regarding connections with faith, family, and friends. This time of renewal also occurs here at Alegent Creighton with our Recommitment Ceremony. Prior to working with Alegent Creighton, I had never heard of such a thing as a Recommitment Ceremony. What is it, and why does Alegent Creighton do this?

Although each year, the ceremony is a bit different, it’s a really special opportunity for departments to recommit to the five Commitments that Alegent Creighton asks all employees to practice on a daily basis with patients as well as each other. The five Alegent Creighton Commitments are:

• Respect
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Excellence

These five Commitments are the guiding force behind all Alegent Creighton employees – our patient care decisions, our work with colleagues, and our presence in the community and beyond. For some, the Commitments have even become a way to work effectively not only in our respective departments, but also within our own families and social networks.

What I so appreciate about this ceremony here at the Bergan Clinic is that we take time to gather as a team to share our intentions as to how we want to continue to serve our patients and each other into the New Year. It’s a marvelous idea to bring really smart, busy, amazing people together for a brief period of time to remember what brought us to Alegent Creighton in the first place – that strong, never-ending desire to be a force for good in the world.

I have a coffee cup on my desk that reads, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This is a quote from Gandhi and is truly one of my most favorite quotes. I’d like to invite you to slow down for a moment today and consider your own recommitment ceremony. What could you change or do differently to produce positive change in your family, your relationships at work or with friends, the community, or yourself? 

As always, take care!