I Want to Start a Movement: Start Each Day with Hope and Joy

There are several TV networks that will frequently air the same movie over and over. During the summer, it’s usually an old favorite: JAWS, (which is just the film any of us want to watch before going kayaking in the bay)! I have started seeing one of my personal old favorite movies: 50 First Dates, featuring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore as the leads.

In this romantic comedy, Drew plays a character who has suffered major head trauma and every day she wakes up unable to remember anything following the day before her accident. Throughout the movie, she repeatedly falls for Adam Sandler’s character. Towards the end, she breaks up with him, claiming he cannot have a normal life with her. However, there comes a scene where he finally realizes that she really wants to be with him. In the last moments of the movie, they’re married and have a daughter together. He finds ways to adapt and remind her everyday what she has and invites her to start again. Despite the trauma she experienced, Drew had the opportunity to start each day anew and embraced it.

While some people do not like these fictional scripts and unlikely events, there lies a great lesson in this film: starting each day off with hope and joy. During the peak of the virus, the pandemic management team started each Monday with an inspiring poem, song, or reading. All other morning meetings throughout the week commenced with gratitude for the staff on the team and members around the agency who were persevering and supporting each other while facing fears and continuing to succeed at their jobs. The inspirational and thoughtful messaging shared at the beginning of staff meetings was one way hope and joy remained constant, even amongst the hardships. The pandemic is similar to 50 First Dates in that there was struggle before hope and joy found a way to shine. I am truly amazed by the sharing of responsibilities and the interdependence everyone demonstrated that made it possible to get through this troublesome year.

Just like Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, I choose to navigate through tough times by beginning each day new, mindful of what we are facing together, and grateful for the opportunities it will bring. I also want to be an advocate for inspiring others to do the same. As we continue to face changes and new challenges; I’m mindful that our work is not about things or places, but about building relationships and the hopes and joys those relationships bring to life. Despite your experiences, I hope you too will start anew each day and in times of distress.