I have a vivid memory from a concert last June at Red Rocks where I recall a beer vendor saying to me "there's plenty of summer left". Skip ahead to today and it's already Spring again. Seasons have passed and it really does not seem that long ago.
Quick note: sometimes beer vendors can be wise, but not always! Proceed with caution.
I've noticed that as I become more 'mature' that my views toward the passage of time have evolved a bit. As a runner in my teenage years, I obsessed over seconds and fractions of seconds particularly in short distance events like the 200 or 400 meter races. I quickly learned that I enjoyed the longer events where I didn't feel the pressure of time as forcefully. Now I look at my finishing times as ranges to shoot for relative to the previous year or a similar race. That allows me to enjoy the experience and still satisfy my need to compete and reach target goals. It becomes less about focusing on the watch and more about who I am running with, what I am running for, and seeing things and people along the way.
It seems like the standard cliche scene at the beginning of a movie to show the new beginnings of a new morning as the sun slow rises. When my mom was terminally ill I started to appreciate the beauty of sunsets more. Maybe it's the reminder that time is limited that brings more energy and urgency than before. I think it's human nature to procrastinate on some things and want to tie up loose ends while you have the chance.
When it comes down to it, life is full of new chances. Daily changes to succeed, fail, basically to live. I would like to think I used all of it that I can and be fulfilled at the end. Not to be waiting for something unimportant or lower priority or somehow out of reach. These days have been given to us to do our best work and enrich the lives of those around us as best we can.
What does it all mean? I am not sure I have the answers but I will keep coming up with questions everyday. At least while I have the time that is.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Week of Change
Hi all and welcome to my blog. I have added links throughout, representing associated songs, books, articles, or random pieces of information that I feel compelled to add. These links may give some insight into how my brain works and hopefully will be interesting to follow. I am a big fan of people like Roger Ebert on Twitter who invariably point me to good stuff that is worth the click. OK let's go:
What a week! Changing jobs after being at my present company for over 7 years has been a flurry of activity and emotions. 'They' say it's at times like these that you learn about people, including who your real friends are. I am not sure how valid that is across the board, but I did get some interesting and varied reactions when I announced that I was leaving to work for another consulting company. Understandably, the people closest to me day-to-day knew quickly and reacted with initial surprise which quickly transitioned to support.
While I was very solid in my logic and reasons for leaving, emotionally it can be kind of like breaking up with someone. The message is basically 'I would prefer to be somewhere else besides here'. Responses to that can range from 'me too!' to 'go ahead and leave, you bastard' to lots of others in between. These were hard conversations for me and I approached them with the thought of just simply saying it, listening, and responding accordingly. I was overwhelmed by the professionalism and graciousness of my friends and co-workers. It was truly amazing and gratifying.
Overall my feelings have been that the people most important to me will stay in touch. Strong relationships will continue to strengthen, evolve, and grow. The past couple of weeks have been so hectic that I can't help feeling that I have left a few loose ends. I didn't have time to talk to everyone on my list, to properly say goodbye to everyone, and to tell people who have helped me so much that I appreciated the invaluable chances they afforded to me.
I think that is a natural feeling to have, but I also know that life and people are incredibly resilient and that paths cross again in many random and not so random ways. Life is not about checking boxes and filing away results. I see us as extended families and communities networked together technically, culturally, and spiritually, continually interacting and supporting each other.
And together we forge ahead!
What a week! Changing jobs after being at my present company for over 7 years has been a flurry of activity and emotions. 'They' say it's at times like these that you learn about people, including who your real friends are. I am not sure how valid that is across the board, but I did get some interesting and varied reactions when I announced that I was leaving to work for another consulting company. Understandably, the people closest to me day-to-day knew quickly and reacted with initial surprise which quickly transitioned to support.
While I was very solid in my logic and reasons for leaving, emotionally it can be kind of like breaking up with someone. The message is basically 'I would prefer to be somewhere else besides here'. Responses to that can range from 'me too!' to 'go ahead and leave, you bastard' to lots of others in between. These were hard conversations for me and I approached them with the thought of just simply saying it, listening, and responding accordingly. I was overwhelmed by the professionalism and graciousness of my friends and co-workers. It was truly amazing and gratifying.
Overall my feelings have been that the people most important to me will stay in touch. Strong relationships will continue to strengthen, evolve, and grow. The past couple of weeks have been so hectic that I can't help feeling that I have left a few loose ends. I didn't have time to talk to everyone on my list, to properly say goodbye to everyone, and to tell people who have helped me so much that I appreciated the invaluable chances they afforded to me.
I think that is a natural feeling to have, but I also know that life and people are incredibly resilient and that paths cross again in many random and not so random ways. Life is not about checking boxes and filing away results. I see us as extended families and communities networked together technically, culturally, and spiritually, continually interacting and supporting each other.
And together we forge ahead!
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