This week’s On Track Tuesday comes from my dear friend, Jo-Anne Jones.
Jo is currently on holidays and, while she couldn’t be with me physically during this challenging time, she still found a way to show up—through her words.
Her thoughtfulness touches my heart. Jo has a gift not only for writing, but for reaching people exactly when they need it most. I’m so grateful to have her in my life and in my circle.
Her message this week, "If Not Now, When?" is a powerful continuation of last week’s reflection on W.I.N. – What’s Important Now. Jo invites us to pause, consider our present moment, and stop putting off what matters most—personally and professionally.
Please take a moment to read her heartfelt words below. I know you’ll feel the same inspiration I did.
If not NOW, When?
I read Kathleen’s On Track Tuesday last week initially with a heavy heart knowing that my colleague and close friend was going through a very challenging time. However, true to form, the message was uplifting and left me contemplating ‘what’s important now’ in my own life.
My son, Spencer, gave me a gift for my birthday when I turned 60. I wasn’t too certain as to how to receive it as it was a chart that went to 100 clearly demonstrating that I was well on my way in the lifespan process. At the top of the chart, it asked a very simple, yet thought provoking question…’if not now, when?’ When you are hit between the eyes with a visual like that, it takes you back for a moment. What are you in fact waiting for?
All of the above culminated in a very poignant visit with my 62-year-old cousin who has been recently diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He is a mechanical engineer, loving husband, and father to 2 beautiful young women. He also is an avid water-skier which his love for the sport has transcended to the 3 women in his life. As a former Muskoka ‘show’ skier, he was still barefooting last summer. His diagnosis came in November when he has trouble logging into his work computer and couldn’t answer basic questions. A clinical trial which involves targeting the electrical properties of the cancer cells has offered a chance at more time with his family. Adhesive patches containing electrodes are positioned on his shaved head delivering alternating electric fields at 200 kilohertz which have to be worn a minimum of 18 hours per day. The wonderful news which we are all celebrating is that the tumour has shrunk by 2/3’s!! Previous chemotherapy and radiation did not impact the growth of the tumour as this has.
My cousin showed me pictures of his race car. As he puts it, this is what you do when you are told you have brain cancer. You seize the moment and relinquish putting things off for a better or more convenient time.
What I love about Kathleen, her husband, and my cousin is that none of them feel like a victim. They understand that this is the hand they have been dealt. There is no control over yesterday and even less over tomorrow. Today and this moment is all we have.
So, what are you waiting for? Perhaps you’re contemplating taking a lead clinical role in your practice, or certification as a functional myotherapist, or starting your own independent practice. Whatever it is, consider if failure was not an option, what would you pursue? It is strong food for thought and reason enough to not delay in fulfilling your dreams. When I look back over all the decades of practicing in this profession, I would say that the opportunities that exist today are only limited by our imagination. I know there are struggles and political challenges however our satisfaction in our profession is deeply rooted in the impact we make, the lives we touch, and the doors we now have the power to open. I ask you once again ‘what’s important now’ and ‘if not now, when?’
JJ
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Warmly,
Kathleen
Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ Founder | President
