Mission

I believe that it is important to have a personal motto. A personal motto can help form a vision for your life and define one's character. Among many inspirational quotes, the words "Always forward" has become my primary motto. This is a modification to “Always forward, never back”, originally the motto of the Catholic missionary Saint Junipero Serra. Saint Junipero Serra said this when facing the insurmountable obstacles of defending and serving the native residents of California. It also served as a short evangelizing tool to suggest that the innate desire of the human species to explore can only be satiated by our search for God. It also has a special meaning for me in that Southern California is where I have been born and raised. I find it profound to think that I walk on the same ground as a great saint. I even have had the blessing to work at JSerra Catholic Highschool in San Juan Capistrano. 

This motto has served as personal motivation in many aspects of my life. When I have had moments of struggle or defeat, reciting the words "always forward" has given me the reminder that continual growth is paramount to contributing to my family, community, and my own personal fulfillment. No matter what I do, whether it is nursing, faith, family, music, or technology, there is always room for growth. I have found that one of the traits I strive for the most is my persistence in either learning from my mistakes, or growing further from my successes. The root embodiment of this motto is to not assume a victimhood ideology, but to take on a heroic one.  To get back up no matter how many times we fall or how great the obstacle. 

The concept of "always forward" is especially applicable to my new career in nursing. This field requires a disposition of life-long learning with humility and enthusiasm. Nursing requires constant adaptation to new technologies, interventions, and policies to provide evidence-based practice to healthcare. In my nursing career I employ my motto when I face complications in my practice. For instance, if my patient faces obstacles to receiving the care they need, I advocate for my patients with grounded zeal. Nursing also requires an attitude of learning, especially when dealing with innovative technology to improve patient outcomes and the overall healthcare industry. I live out some of my passion for medical innovation by using my amateur 3D printing skills for experimental tools. 

In short, I have long been passionate about this ideology of constant growth. The character Alfred consoles an injured Batman by saying "Why do we fall? So we can learn to get back up!". Upon being beaten to the ground, a bloodied Captain America hops back to his feet to say "I can do this all day". Finally, Winston Churchill, during World War 2, proclaimed "Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense". All of these concepts are attributable to the way I believe I can live into the best version of myself as a husband, father, and nurse. To give every ounce of my being to growing, and learning in the service of others. Always forward.