The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 16,2019 theifp.ca It was a sunny afternoon. Sheep-like clouds dotted a rob- in's-egg blue sky. We were all in T-shirts and jeans. Day after day of falling and faltering, all of a sudden, some- thing clicked. My two oldest boys, wobbly on their bikes, pedalled down the street. Their first bike ride: A nod toward freedom and independence. My heart raced with them in that incredible moment, one that crystallized how far they've come and how far they have yet to go. I looked at my kids and won- dered what's next: Their first car. Their first job. Their first love. University and all the amazing things that follow. I look at how hard they've worked to be where they are and I know, life only gets harder. Transitions can be free-fall- ing or taking flight. But it is all an act of becoming something else, someone else, someone more. Each transition becomes more complex, more demand- ing, more risky and yet the re- wards are greater. I spoke recently at a confer- ence about this concept. Like my kids, I'm in transition: My term as president of the Ontario Medical Association is over, and I'm contemplating what I will do with the next phase of my life. At the same time, I can hear that voice in my head - you know, the one with all the rea- sons why something can't be done. Poor self-esteem or neces- sary self-preservation, it's the voice that questions our every move. Particularly moves that require a leap of faith. However, each transition is a leap of faith - that something di- sastrous won't happen, that you won't falter, fall or fail. Or even if all that does hap- pen, you will still succeed be- cause you rise up again and again. You do your best, over- come whatever limitations there are, and become a better version of yourself. I'm not the same person I was a year ago when I first started the presidency. Much like my kids, I've grown, changed, be- come ... more. My perspective has transi- tioned and I now approach things differently than I did be- fore. As I move forward, I'm ner- vous, yet I am convinced that I must make the jump and take that leap of faith. Courage can- not exist without fear. As Audre Lorde said, "When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vi- sion, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." Nadia Alam is a Georgetown physician and past president of the Ontario Medical Associa- tion. She can be reached at nadia.alam@oma.org. OPINION LIFE TRANSITIONS CAN BE RISKY, BUT REWARDING COURAGE CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT FEAR, WRITES NADIA ALAM NADIA ALAM Column 280 Guelph St. - Hwy. 7 Georgetown Visit our Website: www.georgetownmarketplace.com • Tel. 905-873-8918 SMALL TOWN MALL SHOPPING!BigTownBigTown SHOPPING! Monday May 20, 2019 Victoria Day We are closed fore are closed for By Cory Soal R.H.A.D. . . . Lend MeYour Ears We care about your hearing! Professional Arts Building 99 Sinclair Ave., Suite 210, Georgetown 905-873-6642 Serving the community of Halton Hills and surrounding areas since 1992 The Georgetown The following few tips, if followed correctly, will prolong the benefits and enjoyment of better hearing: • Do not get the hearing aid wet • Do not leave the instrument where it is too hot or cold • Try not to drop the hearing aid • Do not spray cleaning solution or hair spray on the instrument • Keep the instrument and batteries out of the reach of small children and especially pets If any of the above problems do occur, please don't hesitate to call. COUNSELLING THE NEW HEARING AID USER By Cory Soal R.H.A.D.