Connections

Dear Readers,

Back in January my job of 12 years ended and I was offered a full time position within the company in a department where I was already working part time.  Accepting the move meant a transition but not a drastic one.  What was hard for me was the change in environment.  I had worked for so many years in a fast paced team environment and so going from that to a quiet corner by myself took some getting used to. 

Thankfully I was able to recognize that I am at my best when I am around other people and so I made a decision to find ways to connect with my colleagues around the building.  I called it "stirring things up" and would periodically pop in to different people's offices to say hello and hear about their days.  My work did not suffer from these visits, actually it probably benefited from them because they lifted my spirits.

In making the decision to pick my life up and move far away from family and friends, the biggest fear I struggled with was loss of connections.  Would I be able to make a move like this and not lose touch with those who mean so much to me.  It is much easier to stay connected nowadays.  I told myself this many times.  There is texting, email, unlimited long distance phone calls.  There is good old fashioned US Postal Service mail.  And there is blogging.

I am glad for the path my job took and for the opportunities it provided for me to expand my connections with colleagues.  It reminded me of the importance in surrounding myself with good people and the value of nurturing those ties.  It helped me to see that not only would I be able to maintain connections with the people back home, I would be able to make new connections in a new place.

We've been in the apartment for over a week and am on a first name basis with my neighbors that live closest.  I also know their pets by name and of course they all know Jak.  Each time we go to the dog beach there are new people with dogs to chat with and some we've seen more than once. 

My fear of losing connections was unfounded.  I still feel connected back at home and I am starting to feel connected in a new place.  Sure it requires a little ongoing effort, but totally worth it, in my opinion.

Until next time...
Peace & Love,
Hope