Before a Beginning There Must Be an End

For those who know me directly and for others familiar with my blog writing, the day has come.  My last day at work is set.  Friday, December 12, 2014 will be my last day at a place I called home for over 26 years.

An end is near.  It is a necessary step to the beginning that will be.

Twice a year we have reduced staff over the past several years.  As such, I own contrary management competencies … building a top performing organization and then tearing it down. Saying goodbye to so many was difficult.  To look myself in the mirror and say goodbye will be strange indeed.

Sad and Happy … Scared and Excited. I am aware of the emotions at play.  They lead me to a full awareness of being alive.

I began this blog two and a half years ago as a means to channel my energy as my organization began the process to deconstruct itself and reach a true end point.  I also was looking ahead to a day – now not far away – when I will interview and need to present my best self. This website and my writing within are me.  Read it and ask me your questions.  This is who I am.

Now that my date is set I have work to do.  I now can write directly about my career plans and job search.  Challenges, excitement, disappointment and some despair lie ahead. I expect to feel more alive than ever. As I write this I am smiling.  I am ready for this change.

I have a big decision to make as well.  I started in Human Resources and Training.  I grew restless and moved into front-line production management. Do I return directly to the world of Human Resources with my experience and new abilities or do I stay in operations and find a new kick butt team?  Indeed maybe there is another option all together lying just around the bend in the road.

As my work life changed and saying goodbye overwhelmed saying hello, I have moved from us to you and now I am left with only me. I feel this dormant energy as I prepare my path back to us.  My ending is our beginning.

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” T.S. Elliot