A Journey from Surviving to Thriving

But what was that illusive “something”?   In my previous post I described my feelings of “living in the margin” of my previous organization while adjusting to a new role that involved stepping out of some leadership responsibilities — and felt like I was “on the outside looking in” as my life and day-to-day purpose as I knew it was ending.  But then “something” rose up within me and an awareness gripped me that life was not ending, but indeed was just beginning with new purpose.  At that point I seriously suspected that if that “something” had not been gradually personalized through the years, life for me at that moment might indeed have been over.   The purpose of this post is to explore that “something” and whether or not I can thrive in that state of mind. Please note: I’m using the term “margin” in a manner different from what was popularized by Richard Swenson in his book Margin in which he describes margin as “…having breath left at the top of the staircase, money left at the

"Marginalized, I muttered under my breath as I tossed the new headquarters policy memo onto my desk.  Several years ago I would have been the one to write that policy memo.  Now in my almost-retired years, I seldom even heard of these new policies.  I was drifting deeply into despair as I visualized my position on the margin of all that was happening in my organization.  I felt like my life as I’ve known it was ending.  But then something rose up within me and an awareness gripped me that life was not ending, but indeed was just beginning with new purpose.  I seriously suspect that if that “something” had not been gradually personalized through the years, life for me at that moment would indeed have been over.  What was that “something”" ? The above paragraph is from my book, From a Dad … to Those Who Follow.   As I reread these words I realize there is probably more to be deeply explored about this concept of living in the margin. That’s the plan for the next two-part post.