Road Sign Ahead

Today was a day of reminiscing. I have been going through all of my old files preparing for the move. As I come across some folders I think to myself, why on earth did I save that. And then there are other folders that are opened and bring back a flood of memories. Looking back over the last several years I have been blessed to be a part of so many wonderful experiences. All of these momentos serve as signposts along the road of the journey already traveled. Simple things like painted rocks, napkins that have been doodled on, and newspaper clippings. Each one tells a story of how my life has been impacted by so many different people, and how my life has impacted others as well. Some should be thrown away, and yet I just simply cannot part with them.

As I think about the past, I anxiously look forward to the future. Wondering what relic will I save from my next leg of the journey. Yes, they do making packing an office a little more difficult. However, it is worth all the extra effort. Some day, after I am gone and the decision is no longer mine, I am sure that most of the stuff will be tossed out. But until then, I carry my treasures with me, and keep an eye out for the next signpost ahead.

Detours

Yesterday, two friends, my wife and I went to a local restaurant for lunch. Our server, brought our drinks and I noticed on the inside of her wrist a small oriental tattoo. When she came back to the table with our drinks I asked her to tell me the story behind the "tat". I learned from a youth communicator that it is far more interesting to hear the story than to condemn the person for wearing this permanant marking. She first translated the symbols for me which meant, "one love." Then she proceeded to tell us the story. About five months ago, her high school sweetheart and fiance was tragically killed. Part of the grieving process was getting this tattoo as both a memorial to him, and also as a reminder to her regarding all the things she loves.

For her the journey was pretty much planned out. She would soon marry, and her and her husband would live happily ever after. Then out of nowhere a detour. At that point she obviously had a few choices to make. She could decide that life was no longer worth living and instead of a tattoo, put a knife to that same wrist and end it all. Fortunately for us that was not her decision. She could have simply given up and existed rather than live. The good news is she decided to proceed along the route of this unfortunate detour to her journey, and find a way to recover and get back to her travels. This came with a lot of tears and uncertainty. But one day she came to herself and realized that indeed life must go on. So for her the journey continues with the constant reminder that along her journey she had met and enjoyed the pleasure of knowing that "one love." And even when there are detours the journey continues.

Details Details Details

We are now in the process of selling our home before moving. In order to do that we are doing all the things that should have been done for the last six years. Our motto has been "make it livable." Once we got things to the point that they could be used, we didn't bother to finish all the details. Today we painted and did some repair work on some sheet rock. The tab for today is already at $43. We spent the weekend with cable and watched all those home repair shows. They take $1000 and spend $999 and are so proud that they stay under budget. That's great if you have $1000 and someone else is footing the bill. So, I hope to be able to do a lot with a little. No, I have to do a lot with a little. The journey begins and the details have to be addressed. I made a list and plan to check off the details one at a time. Before long, the details will all be taken care of and we will be well on our way. Stay tuned.

The Journey Begins in Earnest

You have heard the saying, "Getting back into the swing of things." It felt much like that as I sat and listened in on a meeting of likeminded people who are presently employed by the same agency that I will go to work for in about a month. It was good to hear some things, it was challenging to hear some other things. Overall, it was assuring. Self-doubt has a way of showing up when it is least expected. It is also one of the leading road blocks to most journeys. The best way to handle it is to address it headon. There is no need to ignore it, because it will only grow stronger. So, calling it what it is, and moving on is the best prescription for overcoming this time consuming and derailing feeling.

As we drove away from the meeting the question was asked, "Do you think you can do this?" The answer, "Yeah, I think I can." Here we go!!

What to Take on the Journey

I once hiked with a friend who was much more prepared for the journey than I was. His backpack was full of useful things for our trip. I felt more safe and secure with him along than anyone that I have ever hiked with. Well almost anyone. I do have one friend that could find his way back from any place, so it would be nice to hike with both of these guys. My friend was prepared for any situation simply because he had the most important items with him.

Aside from all the stuff that you have to take, what really is the most important items to carry with you on the journey?
-Memories from the past. Leaving behind the people who have been so much a part of your present journey is no easy task. However, you carry with you a long list of memories and experiences shared with each one.
-Lessons learned. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing the same way and expecting different results. As you look ahead to the new journey there will be ample time to reflect on the experiences of the past and cultivate all of the lessons learned both postive and negative.
-Contact information. There are some people who will become assests to the progress of the journey no matter their geographical location. Good advice, skill sets and friendships will sometimes cover any distance. They have a way of finding their way back into your life.
-Openness to new ways of doing things. With every journey comes a system to be learned, which includes different methods and different personalities. Having the ability to learn how you fit into that system, and adjusting to new personalities is essential.
-Never forgetting who you are. "Be yourself," is critical advice. The journey only becomes more complicated and less of a joy when you try to be someone you are not. Being stretched and learning new ways of doing things will always be easier when you do them as you.
-Family. The journey is always sweater when it is shared with those you love. Isolation and exclusion are two things that can damage any close relationships. Not having someone to share the journey with can be a very lonely existence.
-Faith. Dependence on a higher power is not only smart it is the right thing to do. Just as surrounding yourself with good people brings about success, so does knowing who to truly depend on in every area of life. Compromising of convictions will soon derail even the best leader.

The Journey into Yourself

Presently, I am reading a book by Noel M. Tichy and Warren G. Bennis entitled, Judgment: How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls. The authors quote a speech by Jeff Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, given at the University of Michigan in August of 2003:

The first part of leadership is an intense journey into yourself. It's a commitment and an intense journey into your soul. How fast can you change? How willing are you to take feedback? Do you believe in self-renewal? Do you believe in self-reflection? Are you willing to take those journeys to explore how you can become better and do it every day? How much can you learn? Can you look in the mirror every day and say, gee, I wish I had done that differently, boy I think I've got to do better here...you've got to be willing to do an intense journey into yourself... I've been lucky, you know, because I've got to do things that I love with people that I love. But more than anything else, the burning desire inside me was to get the best out of what I could be and go on that journey.

So many questions, all of which need to be answered on a daily basis. Knowing that I too will have the opportunity to do what I love, and will in time learn to love the people is an exciting part of this journey. Remembering to be myself is critical, and never forgetting that this journey is much more like a marathon not a sprint.

Nothing on the Calendar

To our amazement there is absolutely nothing on the calendar for this week. This is highly unusual. Most of the time at least two to five days during the week are cluttered with meetings and appointments. I find it interesting that the week we here from a new opportunity is completely open. It is almost as if everything for the week has been put on hold until we know for certain what direction this journey will take.

What if all the waiting leads to disappointment? Well, then we regroup here and look to the future. What if every thing goes as planned? Then we relucantly say our goodbyes and anticipate what comes next.

Where to Now

It has been said that a journey begins with the first step. What they don't tell you is how quickly those steps can come at you sometimes. Today, I met with a Realtor concerning the sell of our home. If everything goes as plan, we will be moving in the very near future. It 's one thing to buy a home, but it is totally something else to be selling a home. Of course, I would love to make a little profit off the sale. But with today's market I am not convinced that I will. The good news is that I will not have to buy another house any time soon. There are many minor things that need to be done to the house before we sell it. However, the decision was made today not to borrow money to do any major repairs. With any luck I should be able to sell and walk away with a nice profit.

And then there is the thought of leaving one job for another. Over the last six years, I have learned to love and appreciate a good number of people. Leaving is never easy, and is complicated by the relationships that have been forged during our stay in this area. Although the intent is to remain close, the reality is that with distance comes a preoccupation with other people and responsibilities. New networks, new responsibilities and new location provides us with the opportunity to be stretched once again. Stretching is a good thing and can always lead to a wonderful new experience. So, here we go!