When You’re Finished Changing, You’re Finished

Who Said That?

I do not know when Benjamin Franklin said this, but I think what he meant was this; life is ever-changing, and as human beings, we change (or should change) with the times. This nature of our surroundings and ourselves are continually evolving. Once we stop changing, then we are done for ("finished"). In other words, we don't stop changing and shouldn't stop changing. If we don't keep up, then it is time for us to move on.

Great, but....
Change is scary, and most of us worry when things change, especially when it happens rapidly. Currently, in the healthcare

workplace, the most sweeping changes in 25 years have occurred in the past six years, and it isn't over yet. While the change started in 2010 when the Affordable Care Act passed into law, it has been morphing ever since, and, as unintended consequences have appeared, it has resulted in quick fixes and delays in implementation of new sections of the Act.

Now, with the advent of....
A new President of the United States is being elected next week, and, with one of the candidates promising to repeal the entire Act, more sweeping changes could be on the horizon. Even if the more moderate candidate is elected, she has admitted publicly that the Act needs "revision" in light of what we have learned in the past six years. Both of these scenarios either frighten or, at a minimum, concern us because it involves change.

Cowboy Up!

I don't have any magic solutions to impart here today, but I can offer some salving wisdom. For those of us born before 1982; i.e., not labeled as a Millennial, it is time to buck up and get used to change. Change is a constant, by golly, and even Benjamin Franklin realized that over 200 years ago, so it is time for those of us classified as 'The Greatest Generation,' 'Baby Boomers' or 'Gen X'ers' to deal with change as a constant. My research on the current 80 million Millennial segment leads me to believe that they were born to change and just accept it as a component of being alive in 2016. I think that for the other three dominant generations alive in the US today; those of us between 35 and older, numbering over 155 million, seek slower and more predictable change.

The 2016 Presidential Election
Watching the current election for the next leader of the free world can be baffling, and it can stir up emotions ranging from

fear, anger, confusion, and, yes, even to excitement. As I have witnessed several Presidential elections in my lifetime, from Eisenhower to Obama, I think the central theme that strikes me about this one is the change that it represents. On the one hand, Donald Trump is offering massive and swift change that could be life changing, life threatening, or both. On the other, Hillary Clinton is offering, essentially, status quo, which can be likened to Mom, the girl next door, and apple pie.

I think that whomsoever wins next Tuesday will be a reflection of both the size and the current socio-economic fabric of this country in 2016. The game changer for either candidate will be the number of all four generations that turn out to vote. If a large percentage of the dominant three generations do actually vote, then I think Clinton will win, whereas, if the Millennial group turns out in force, I believe that it will either be a very close race and Trump could become the 45th President of the United States.

Next Week: The Election is Over - Now What?