Coming off a summer of record heat, damaging storms and merciless humidity, this seasonal change is welcome and even a little surprising. Lance had forgotten what crisp mornings and breezy afternoons felt like even after all his 60 years of experience. Ever grateful to live in a region that has four full seasons of change, he has vowed to stop and notice the magical transformation this year rather than let it sneak by again.
Lance is all about noticing change and transition these days. The changes in the seasons of his life are top of mind for the first time. Maybe, when one's lifeline grows shorter, every moment is dearer. Looking back, he has often remarked how fast time flies while raising children or working. Turn around and tomorrow is yesterday. Big decisions, major projects, grand ideas of the past seem almost inconsequential compared to the next choice, the next hour, or the next idea. Lance has come to believe Life is best measured in the now.
(WARNING: Everything IS smaller in the rear view mirror of life. And what lies ahead, looms larger than life.)
When Lance returns to work in October, many will ask "How was your trip?" the premise being he went to the Grand Canyon or Paris to see the sights. Pictures of this trip are less than impressive. His mind was not on the sights, but on the insights.
Some will expect him to return with the Holy Grail for Strathmore, a new bold vision of the future delivered unto him while meditating on a remote mountain top. Lance is quite certain that would be a mistake. The future must be forged like a sword by those who will wield it.
Others expect him to seamlessly pick up where he left off and are just glad everything can get back to normal now. But backwards is not an option for anyone. And for some, his absence and therefore his return are irrelevant because they hardly noticed he was gone. (Of course, if anyone really wanted to know what he is "bringing back" they need only visit his blogs. Rarely has transparency been so accessible to so many!)
However, for those who just want to cut to the chase, here is the executive summary of his journey:
Lance left in search of himself, who he was beyond his work identity. He found someone of consequence and integrity. Lance went in search of his family, not as he remembered them but in their current stages of life. He found them happy, healthy, loving and engaged in their own quests of discovery. Lance went in search of his own 60+ 3.0 future, in hopes of discovering what was important for him to treasure and what could be tossed. He found many of those touchstones and no longer fears that future.
He will not live an unexamined life. After talking to so many who have gone before him, he will not be surprised by his fate or the fear of growing older. He will not die with significant regrets, guilt or unreconciled dreams. He has lifted his eyes from the ground (the trivial) to the horizon (the grand). He knows far better now who he is and why he is still here on earth.
Moreover, he has learned that this is the time of life to be more creative, occasionally irreverent and always generous of spirit. Enabling others is his new mission and creating sustainable enterprise is his new focus. He has learned you can't chase friendships or love, they find you when you are being the best person can be. People will like you for how they feel when they are around you, and you'll like them for the same reason.
He has found peace of mind.
So how do you convey all that to those who ask," How was your summer?" Maybe you can't. Maybe you just say, "Fine. How about you?" And let the conversation begin, or end, there.
Couldn't be lovelier. And may I say that YOUR summer vacation was a source of inspiration and reflection in my own life, as well.
ReplyDelete