Moving Day

Well, it's moving day...finally!

I remember the first time I heard the notion of the possibility of the office moving to a new location and quite frankly, at the time, I thought it would never come about. But here we are...blue moving vans outside, boxes packed and anxieties high. It's moments of great change like this that get me thinking. We're moving...but should we really be taking EVERYTHING with us?

We've cleaned out cabinets, closets and files. We've shredded confidential information, thrown out agendas of meetings that happened 15 years ago. We've done all of the expected house cleaning that comes along with a move such as this. But have we really taken stock and cleaned the way we should?

We all have memories here, good and bad. We all have feelings about leaving and about those we are taking along for the ride. We have dear friends, acquaintances and enemies among the mix. Rivalries seem to thrive in this sort of environment, and they don't seem to stop. Anger and animosity is just something we have come to live with, along with all the good stuff too. Don't get me wrong, there's lots of good stuff here. I've met some of my best friends here and we've shared many good and bad times in these hallways. I won't stop focusing on the good stuff now. But truth be told, I've also learned more here than at any other time and place in my life about the reality of evil...and unfortunately, the negative forces aren't staying behind with the old desks and chairs.

Should we use this opportunity to start over, to begin again...to forgive? Yes. It is what I plan on trying to do. This is a fresh start and I refuse to let it slip by me without my trying to take a positive spin on things. Can I get other people to do the same? No. I can't make anyone do anything. I wish I could, but all the wishes in the world won't change a thing. I can only take care of my little part of the world. The rest must answer for themselves.

We can bring our memories with us of special times and friends. Those people and moments only live because we remember them. We carry them with us always. They do not live within these walls. Ghosts haunt people, not places. I'm taking Neal, Angie, Sandy, Bill, Paul, and Elaine with me, because they were my friends and they live in me. Their spirits do not dwell in this old place. They don't live in the old log books or faded memos with their signatures reminding me of their existence. They are with me always, and it doesn't matter where I put my stapler and paper clip holder.

Those of us remaining have a job to do....and I am not only referring to the paperwork. I'm talking about the job of living well, of doing unto others, of doing the Creator's work in this world. We need to remember our purpose and goals, and not let anger and stress take us from that goal. Let us use this opportunity to move closer to where we need to be in our lives. I pray for all my old friends this day, but also pray for everyone that is coming with me on this grand new adventure. I pray that we will be able to see, with 20/20 vision, our own failings and rise above them and come closer to the path that we were all chosen for.

We can either pack up our old garbage and bring it with us, or we can forge ahead and leave the past behind. The future is completely up to us, and if we falter, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Bon Voyage!