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Have you ever seen a movie where something that was said by one of the characters made you really think about their line in the movie? Often screenwriters can play a very influential role whereby the script can make actors and moviegoers think about certain aspects of life. At times, many great movie quotes become part of our society and culture. Screenwriters put those lines in a movie for a reason. It may turn out to be pure Hollywood, but it could also make for great dialogue.

In the Peter Chelsom film, Serendipity, the fate in destiny is prominent in the movie. While walking through a New York park, Dean Kansky, played by Jeremy Piven, tells Jonathan Trager, played by John Cusak, "You know, the Greeks didn't write obituaries. They only asked one question after a man died: Did he have passion?" Director Peter Chelsom likes to refer to this scene as a doggy bag moment. He feels that this is something that the audience takes home with them. It is a thought, but think about how passion relates to your profession.

Why did you become a pharmacist? There can be many answers. One that many of us may agree to is that we have a passion for helping people. It may be that senior that presents to you a handful of prescriptions for their spouse that was just released from the hospital after suffering a heart attack. The look of fear and confusion that you help to ease from their mind, that is your passion. It may be a patient that has prescriptions from dental work. They have a mouthful of gauze and that look of pain that you know is real and authentic. You quickly prepare their prescription and they give you a nod of thanks. That may be part of your passion.

Passion can be a tremendous trait. It can be the fire that makes you want to achieve more. It can help drive you to achieve greater levels of career satisfaction. There may be a day when dealing with some patients makes you want to give up because they have frayed your last nerve. You have to remember, you will get the good with the bad so there is no reason to call it quits after a few bad experiences. At times it makes me wonder if some do not remember reciting Oath of a Pharmacist at graduation.

In some aspects of ancient Greek philosophy, the highest degree of mental pleasure would be found by pursuing the satisfaction of the strongest desire of the individual - his passion. Passion is personal. It is the internally generated and inherent urge of the individual. There may be those mired in their own days of egocentrism. They may try to steal your passion, but you must rise above their efforts to blame others for their own inefficiencies.

I read a lot of posts on PharmQD and it appears that some have lost their passion. It is not the majority because many of us embrace and advocate change that will improve patient care. We want to do more and we still carry that passion with us. Together our efforts can achieve more. You may argue or disagree with some thoughts of others, but realize, they do have a passion. Remember, passion is a fire that others may try to extinguish, but it helps some of us to make a difference.