Three Birds, One Purpose: Leadership in Life and Community

“Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun, three little birds sit by my doorstep singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true…” — Bob Marley and The Wailers, "Three Little Birds"

Last night, as Marley’s words echoed through my mind while washing dishes, I found myself reflecting on how there can be so many different things happening for, to, and through us simultaneously. Three moments from my weekend stood out: the joy of celebrating a dear friend’s milestone birthday, the weight of sitting with one of my students in the hospital, and the pride of seeing one of my apprentices uplift a community through a health fair in Watts. Each of these moments reminded me of how intertwined our personal lives are with the health and well-being of our communities.

These three experiences, like Marley’s birds, represent the constant presence of both challenges and hope as we lead ourselves. Each bird brings a message—joy, loss, service—and together, they sing a reminder that everything will be alright if we rise up and meet the day with purpose.

Bird One: Celebration and Reflection

Life is delicate, and celebrating milestones—like the birthday of a friend I hold as a sister—helps us pause and honor the moments we often take for granted. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of our ambitions, but there is immense value in loving ourselves and others intentionally. We get our batteries recharged in these moments, though sometimes they may seem like a sacrifice of our time. They are well worth it for the spirit, the soul. Spending time celebrating my dear friend allowed me to see the continuum of our growing up, to love that there are people on this planet who know me from "the roota to the toota" as my grandma would say.

Later that same weekend, I sat by one of my former students' side in the hospital, processing the stark contrast between celebration and the fragility of life. He had a sudden acute concern which hospitalized him and I got to talk with him, through his blood transfusions, about the sacredness of health and how I could've been spending time grieving him had he not gone to the hospital in time to be treated. I'm so grateful I was able to get to him on Sunday to spend time sharing light and love. It was a reminder that life demands us to move with love and care, even when faced with uncertainties.

These experiences remind me that leadership isn’t just about the big victories—it’s about being present with people, whether in joy or in struggle, and offering them the best of our spirit.

Bird Two: Service to Our Communities

On Saturday, I visited Watts Health to support my apprentice Sebrin Yousef, MPH, CHW, CLE at a health fair she organized, witnessing black and brown communities actively engaging with healthcare access. I saw members of my own team ( Alyssa Singleton , Kimberly Jafri and Lissette Santana Sotelo ) connecting with residents, enrolling them in programs that could change their lives. She had a breast cancer screening truck among plentiful child-serving organizations signing up the community for free healthcare support. This is what leadership looks like—showing up for our communities, asking “What do you need?” and “How can we help?” rather than assuming we know the answers.

This moment with Sebrin and Haben Berhe in Watts affirmed that service isn’t just a task; it’s a responsibility. As leaders, we can’t retreat into our own needs. We must engage with our communities and listen to the voices that often go unheard. When communities have the power to shape their own futures, we become healthier together.

Bird Three: Systems, Wellness, and Voting with Purpose

Leadership, like maintaining a car, requires all systems to be in balance—steering in the right direction, brakes that set boundaries, and an engine fueled by purpose. But unlike cars, people need love to thrive. Leadership is more than function—it’s about sustaining those around us with compassion and intention.

At its core, leadership is also about empowering others to participate in building a better future. One way we do that is through voting—not just in presidential elections, but for local initiatives and community policies that directly affect our health and well-being. Whether it's voting for better healthcare access or mental health initiatives, each vote contributes to shaping the systems we rely on. Please vote... our lives depend on it.

We are at a crossroads where we can no longer afford to be passive. Just as Sebrin showed up for Watts, we all need to show up for our communities—at the ballot box, in our schools, and through our everyday interactions.

Leadership isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about showing up fully, right now knowing that everything will be okay. It’s about balancing joy and sorrow, love and service, ambition and humility. Whether we’re celebrating milestones or standing with those in need, every moment counts. Life has a way of reminding us that these contrasts are inevitable, but within them, we find purpose.

This weekend, I’ve been reminded that we’re not just here to build legacies for others to remember; we’re here to live them. It’s in the small actions—the conversations, the handshakes, the community events—that we create real, lasting change. Whether it’s offering support in a hospital room, bringing joy to a birthday celebration with dear friends, or rallying for health equity in Watts, our presence matters.

Every choice we make to engage meaningfully contributes to the world we want to see. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of life and leadership, but Marley’s three little birds remind us to let go of worry and embrace the moment. “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright.”

It’s a simple truth, but one we often forget. We can’t control everything, but we can control how we show up. And when we lead--when we act--with love, intention, and authenticity, the world responds in kind.

So, as we move forward, let’s continue to rise with the sun, smile through the challenges, and build communities where everyone has the chance to thrive. Let’s be intentional about our work, our relationships, and the way we show up for ourselves and others.

Happy birthday, Genea. Get better soon, Bruce. And congrats on your incredible work, Sebrin!

Be Alright. Be Present. Be Blessed.

Be Healed.

Dr. Golden