A Look at Navigation With January’s Symbols

January is a time of new beginnings and building resilience by reframing negative habits into more optimistic opportunities. The symbols that represent the month of January are reflective of navigation positive characteristics.

Garnet is the birthstone for January, traditionally symbolizing protection, friendship, and trust. All professional navigators throughout the care continuum streamline patient-centered care processes to build safeguards and security around the patient. Navigators facilitate better communication between patients and healthcare providers, which can alleviate misunderstandings, and build a sense of partnership. This trust is developed as navigators demonstrate a tangible commitment to the patient’s well-being in an open and responsive manner. As a fun fact, the Romans used garnets in signet rings to seal important documents.

The January birth flowers of carnation and snowdrops represent different meanings. The carnations symbolize love and admiration, and are known for their vibrant colors and ruffled petals. Snowdrops signify hope, purity, and new beginnings, and their delicate white flowers that are among the first to bloom after winter. Navigators are known for a deep devotion to their profession that results in hope, and a chance for new starts with many patients and families. They can “ruffle” some edges in their advocacy for patients but also use thoughtful and refined processes to promote best care. Another fun fact is that snowdrops contain galantamine, a compound used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

The birch tree with its silvery white bark looks fitting in a winter landscape, but under this sophisticated and graceful beauty lies a compelling strength to grow in barren places. It is recognized as one of the first trees to regrow in places of tragedy, such as a forest fire or disturbed land. It symbolizes new beginnings or rebirth, and its peeling bark signals new growth. It is another great analogy for navigation as a process of healing and meeting the patient wherever they may be, to reach out and support them with solid connections for logistics, communication, and advocacy.

As Editor-in Chief, it has been a gratifying time to have you all by my side. I have decided it’s time for me to move on to new opportunities. Here’s to a joyful New Year for each of you, with wishes for health and happiness in your personal lives, as well as clarity and confidence in all your projects!