Life can be unexpected, and that’s not always a bad thing. I have always wondered: Am I in the right career? Did I make the right choice? What do I want for the future, and what’s best for me? I still think about these an awful lot. I always wanted to be in the medical/ dental healthcare field or the media. Never did I fathom I’d end up doing both. It has been a fantastic journey so far, and it was a bit daunting at first since no one else had done it the way I did.
After my elders convinced me to go to dental school (best decision ever!), I am not going to lie; I wasn’t the happiest person. Then, after a few years, I realized I could not be in clinical practice for long, and that truly breaks your heart because you have put so much of your youth and time, your blood, sweat and tears into the learning journey. Fast forward to moving to Canada. Although I knew my education wasn’t valid here, I initially thought of getting my degree validated and starting my clinical career (albeit a short one.) But I somehow ended up working in media; thanks to Melissa Summerfield taking a chance on me, I started working full-time at Oral Health. My journey, which started with healthcare vs. media, came full circle. Wild, right?
I have a questioning mind about not just my career but also about faith and fate. When people say, “Your stars will align, and you will receive what you should. You manifested the media job because you asked for it seven years ago.” Again, I question. Is that true? Does the universe have time for me? (my overview effect is the worst!) Now I realize it doesn’t matter if cosmic forces are at play. I’m grateful if it exists, and honestly, I’m not too bothered if it doesn’t.
In our quest for meaning, humans often underestimate how powerful our choices and decision-making capacity are. I truly believe that if we control our thoughts and let go of our control over other things, nothing else really matters. Do something that you enjoy doing and change things if you don’t. It really is that simple. It’s hard but simple. Because, whether we accept it or not, all the things we worry about won’t matter to us or anyone else after a few months. Our generations won’t remember anything but our names until they forget that too, and the world will outlive all of us. So, live a happy and full life doing whatever you feel is morally right for you.
— Tanya Arora, Managing Editor, Oral Health Group
