Do you ever wish you could travel back in time? Possibly, you would return to a younger age and prevent a mistake. Perhaps you would tell a family member or friend how much you loved them before they passed.
Sometimes, I have moments when I wish the time machines from movies were real.
Less than one month ago, Harris and Trump debated their stances on various political issues. We witnessed Trump repeat propaganda while Harris countered, observed, and bathed in her victory. While the conversation was entertaining and informative, I don't desire to watch it again.
One month ago, we didn't know about any of Diddy's extravagant parties with baby oil, minors, and sex toys. Most were unaware of his pornographic proclivities behind closed doors. Several entertainers have come forward with disturbing details.
Trump, Harris, and Diddy made the headlines of stories in the past month.
Over the last thirty days, we've also learned of more joyful news. British swimmer Sam Farrow swam 42.5 miles in less than 24 hours. Krissy Miller donated a kidney to Shiller Joseph, a man she had met on a Utah hiking trail. Six-year-old John Henry, with a rare heart condition, learned that he would receive a new heart.
One month ago, I returned from a week in Basel, Switzerland. I traveled to present at the International Association for Health Professions Education (AMEE) conference and brought my wife along to celebrate her 40th birthday.
We enjoyed the time and connected without the little ones in tow.
When we returned to Antigua after a twelve-hour layover in Paris, we thanked our children's gracious hosts and delivered gifts. We shared stories and listened to their adventures from our time apart. A few days later, I returned to work.
I met with my collaborators for the conference presentation about the trip. We discussed the feedback, professional relationships, and ideas for a similar demonstration with music, poetry, and learning strategies. I spent the rest of the day catching up on email and easing back into my routine.
The next day, I went for a run. While I ran plenty in the mornings while in Basel, getting my feet going again with Antigua's humidity and heat was brutal.
Three days passed, and things shifted.
In less than one week of returning from a beautiful experience in Switzerland, I faced the dreadful reality of returning to the job market to shop for a new job. I started looking for work on LinkedIn, Jobs In Higher Ed, and Indeed.
If I had a time machine, would I go back in time? No. This month's events released something in me that went dormant for a while.
I've lost friends and teachers in the last month. Their deaths reminded me of the need to live.
Trump's rhetoric and Diddy's case reignited the need to work more closely with and for vulnerable populations.
Sam Farrow showed me what's possible with endurance.
The kidney donations and heart pledges gave me hope in humanity's compassion.
Everything happens for a reason. There is no need to savor old times and lose sight of the present moment. We know this, but we persist in holding on to old memories for whatever reason.
The past should fuel our current realities and inform the future.
Similar to the meaning of the Sankofa symbol, we must look back to pull ourselves forward into new possibilities. This idea is pushing me into the next month and beyond.
Join me, but first, look back at a memorable trip from one month ago below.
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