Where are we headed?

I often wonder that. Where are we headed...heck, where am I headed! I know my destination, but I have decided not to plan the journey in its entirety. What fun is that?! I want to be at (or near) the leading edge. That term is used in many different contexts, including aviation when describing dynamics of flight surfaces, and in meteorology when describing weather patterns. Both seem very different at first glance, but upon closer inspection, become much more intimately related.

Leading edges of aircraft wings, for example are the point at which the air strikes the wing, causing it to flow across the top and bottom surfaces and varying speeds, resulting in "lift". The leading edges of storms are not where the problem lies, per se: it is behind this leading edge where the turbulence occurs. In both instances, undisturbed airflow is suddenly changed and altered, creating various patterns of behavior, some predictable, some not. What happens behind the leading edge in either event can be described as "conflict" and "chaos", to at least some extent. Now, not all conflict and chaos is bad...an airplane gains altitude, and thus flight, from the "conflict" of air speed and pressure changes behind the leading edge of the wing. In a thunderstorm, the leading edge of the air mass interacts with the opposing air mass, and creates turbulence and "chaos" as well. This can result in negative phenomena, including tornadoes and other severe weather.

In either instance, the "order" that was once perceived was suddenly disrupted, causing "dis-order" and a certain degree of unpredictability. The moment of chaos and uncertainty created by the leading edges resulted in changes in patterns, relationships, and overall direction. Was this necessarily a negative occurrence? Who knows. Must all conflict connote negatively?

So the question I might pose next is, "What is the purpose of flight: destination or disruption?" Can one be achieved without the other? (Man, it's getting pretty deep around here... Okay, so enough with the philosophical rambling.) But my point is this: without the necessary disruption of stability and predictability, how could we ever truly embrace our intended purpose and move significantly closer to our destination?

Nursing has come a long way...with Florence Nightingale at its most recent leading edge. She answered her calling from God to pursue this career, in great opposition from the intentions her mother had for her. Her life was to be spent being a wife and mother. (A stable, predictable life). Instead, Nightingale pursued the unknown, guided only by her deep desire to do God's work. She accomplished many wonderful things in her career as a nurse. She cared for the sick, making detailed observations along the way. Her dedication to the role led not only to cleaner, healthier conditions for the soldiers of the Crimean war, but eventually for an entire nation. She acted locally, acting firmly for what she believed in, and took it "global", through her many influential contacts she had made over the years. Sure, she created turmoil behind her. Not everyone was pleased with her thoughts and actions, but eventually her efforts paid off, and her driving force at the leading edge of nursing gave flight to the profession, and allowed it to soar to heights she had never anticipated.

That's where I want to be. I want to be at the edge of chaos, where effective innovation and discovery takes place. With uncertainty and risk comes the potential for failure....but also for success never before imagined. And that is the awesome beauty behind complexity science...you can not predict the impact one seemingly small, insignificant force can have on the whole. Take a step outside your comfort zone. Stretch your boundaries a little. Embrace the possibility of failure, because only then can you embrace that of success.

I want to improve the art, science, philosophy, and purpose of nursing. What is it? I have no idea, to be honest. But that isn't going to stop me. I know my destination, I have started my journey. I know where I'm headed...just don't have a clue in the world how I am going to get there...and I couldn't be more excited.

Where are you going?

Where are we going?

I appreciate your time.

Steve