I am sure you are probably wondering why a tribute to Steve Jobs is appearing on a medication-related blog. I never met him, but I use his products. As I sit here typing on my MacBook Pro using WordPad in Windows XP to communicate my thoughts, it became quite obvious: Steve Jobs changed how we communicate with each other, how we enjoy our life, and guided the evolution of technology the way he wanted to, based on his creative insights and talents. Steve changed the world, but I’m sure that wasn’t his intent…it just happened that way.

Most people really don’t care for, or understand the significance of his work or why people would pay tribute to him or his body of work. After all, no one paid tribute to the inventor of chewing gum and that changed the world too. However, what I get from Steve’s work here was that we all need to find what we love and, like Nike says, “Just do it”. He did, and I am. Communicating medication information to you is my “thing” to do. I don’t know if I will change the world doing it, and quite frankly I don’t care to. What I do care about is using my knowledge about medications to help others live a better, more-fulfilled life while minimizing drug mis-adventures. This is hardly something to change the world, but every day when I get up, I ask myself one question, “Whose life will I make just a little bit better today”? And, every day I get rewarded by touching at least one in a positive way with my drug knowledge. This does not make me the “Steve Jobs” of pharmacy. Steve Jobs knew how to use his talents, and I am doing the same for others with my drug knowledge.

And we are not alone. There are others out there too: Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, the late Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, EVERY: artist, educator, healthcare professional, plumber, electrician, athlete, web designer, personal trainer, fry cook, etc. and YOU. You have a talent to help the world be a better place, and if you are not doing it yet, you need to let it out. Don’t deny the world your extraordinary talents to help improve it for all of us. In short, the lesson I think Steve Jobs wanted us all to re-learn from his time here was this: “You must fully express your chosen talents and never stop trying to do so”. So I ask you, what do you love doing, and why aren’t you doing it? And, if you want a “health spin” on this blog, here it is: By doing what you love, your stress will go down, your endorphins will go up, and your immune system will be refreshed – all of which will keep you healthy longer.

Until next time, stay healthy.
Dion