Those were the days, my friend ...

I'm writing this in September 2023. It's the middle of winter here, with snow on the hills and days that are clear and crisp. Freezing cold, yes, but usually there's enough heat in the sun to remind you that Spring is just around the corner. The magnolia and camellia are in bloom, the early lambs are gamboling in the paddocks, and the birds and the bees are getting excited for the coming year. We have the promise of new growth and a harvest of good things after the die-back of winter; this is the hope of the new season.

The last couple of years for me have been a bit like this: Hope rising with Spring, huge excitement and growth through a bounteous Summer season, only to have fruitfulness dashed through the storms of Autumn, followed by deep, harsh Winter.

Two "start up" journeys have come and gone for me over the past 4 years. The first seemed like a dream come true, until it imploded at a puff of wind, pulled up by the roots and thrown away. The second was others' dream, and I was delighted to serve their vision. Sadly, growth is hard and hard pruning was necessary to preserve something that could live to bloom again another year. Taking a team of 30 down to 12 (the week before Christmas), and then to 3 (at Easter) is really hard, and they did the best they could. The team continued to work together with compassion and care until the very end. I miss them.

After both of these adventures I've landed back in a 'safe space' working with a strong and competent team that serve their customers well with an eye for excellence and community. While I may not be "all" of who I am or what I can offer, it's a great place to connect, serve, earn, and stay active.

LIfe is full of seasons. We shouldn't expect to be performing at full productivity or in our areas of maximum impact all the time. It's good to embrace the edges as well as the core of our capabilities at times. It's wise to ebb and flow our energy and output too. This is particularly true when we're faced with change and challenge in our lives, with new demands on our time, with loss, sickness or emotional upset, or to focus on the needs of family or friends for a bit.

I'm embracing this season. I know that new growth and productivity will come again. I also know that I'll have picked up new skills, new connections, and consolidated learning and new perspectives, over this time.

We don't live life for summer only, Enjoy the journey.