I saw this graphic on Facebook today. While funny, I returned to it a couple of times because it reminded me of what the last 1.5 years have been like at my recent job. I won’t mention names, or even locations, but the constant dishonesty and struggle to do right in the face unethical behavior made me feel constantly beat-up and even worse I arrived at a place where I was continually was second guessing myself.
It’s been less than two weeks of rest and packing and I feel 100% sure I have made the right choice in resigning that job. Simply put, those folks at that place were not my tribe, not people with the same intention that I have for life, for community and for myself. So for the first time since I was 12, I have no job, but I do have one starting October 1 in downtown Seattle. Again, I won’t name the employer, or write about it here. Instead I’ll share the process of moving and unwinding what is 24 years in my (not quite originally) home town.
I moved to this town in 1991 to go to university to become a school teacher. I have been a school teacher, a business owner, healthcare admin and an active member of this community ever since (with a small hiatus running about 1995-1997). I’ve loved living here; the skiing, the people, the safety and the community bring an amazing quality of life. We’ve never locked our bikes out front, never been robbed, never been vandalized and have never felt anything less than safe. Given that I am a fifth generation Arizona native, and my kids are sixth, the move to another city, another state and another region is pretty big for me. I am not sure what else to say. It is big.
So, the start-up stuff, the community activity and all the local engagement is going to be wound down. All to make room for a big move; a house to sell, a house to pack, a house to buy, a house to unpack…all logistics to be handled day to day. Right now I am not too worried, but instead much more excited about the change, the new life and the new work.