X-ecutive

Who am I?

Life since the "event" has been full of discovery and rediscovery. The behavior, or perspective of those about me is more interesting than ever. I am constantly in awe at the narrow perspective most people, including myself, have due, in large part, to life circumstance. This had always intrigued me and was a driver of my behavior when I was studying psychology in school. A common example would be the discomfort one feels when outside their known environment. For instance, someone who is accustom to doing solitary desk work being asked to give a public speech. That would normally cause discomfort to that individual as it is out of their normal existence. At times I have fallen into the perspective discomfort trap even though I am acutely aware of it and the effect it is having on me. The most interesting aspect of this perspective disruption is how an individual handles it. I think that the handling of perspective discomfort is one of few true keys to success that can be modified by oneself.

For most, the "event" (being displaced from one's life long career) would be a perspective disrupter and a great cause for discomfort. I will admit, for a very short while I experienced that as well, but quickly I became all a wonder at the opportunity and rediscovery that had been repressed, put a side, removed from the forefront of my perspective in lieu of my career perspective. I was "waking up" for the first time in a long time. I am one, who by nature,
grasps at new opportunities. I love to experience new and unique aspects of life and the world about us. Now that I am unencumbered by this career perspective, I am free to begin anew to explore the world and the opportunities that abound. It is quite a different world than before I entered the world of my career oriented perspective. Addtionally, there are many latent interests that I had not fulfilled from my younger life as well. Rather than discomfort, in my experience, there became almost an overwhelming sense of self convergence.

What was I going to do, how could I recraft the life of my family to take advantage of a broader spectrum of life. I realized that in my narrowed perspective, I had also, not out of the lack of means, narrowed the life perspective of my children from that of which I had as a child. This is something I am not proud of. In my zeal for career and perceived success, I had put off opportunities for my children that I had cherished as a child. Sure, they had lot's of replacement activities but while they like the idea of nature and outdoors, they have not had the opportunities of family camp outs and hiking in the mountains, fishing in a mountain stream, telling stories around a campfire, playing in a waterfall or a thousand other things that made me, as a youth, a lover of the outdoors. This is just one example of something I hope to craft into our new life.

We have made our decision to move to Montana. I am confident in that decision! We have also committed to a path of exploration for future income production. I took a two prong approach to this topic which I will discuss in a future post. But will leave it for the current time with a note: our hope is that our new income source will also create a new productive process for the responsible husbandry of our earth. This is me. The real me, it fits who I want to be.

So who am I really? I have found, through various means that I am much the same person I was 20 years ago. I am settled in my faith. I have a great love for people in general and find joy in their successes. I love the world about me but am saddened by the irresponsible consumption with out the thought for our future that occurs with such great speed today. I love the details, the nuances that make the world the wonder it is. As such, I love photography and the effort to preserve a moment for which words cannot convey the meaning. I love life and the wonders in nature that continually renew it. I love working with my hands and mind and I wonder at progress of mankind. I love to build, not only physically, but to build bonds and relationships and connections that serve to make the world a more enjoyable sphere. I am a man who, as a boy, had wonderful parents who, with their limited means, gave me more exposure and freedom to explore the wonders of life than I yet hope to be able to offer my children. I am a man, who while growing up had brothers and sisters with diverse interests and life perspectives and was able to be strengthened by all of them. I am a man, who while focused on a narrow career path had wonderful mentors and associates who offered experiences that have filled this long portion of narrow focused life and made what might have been a frustrating existence not only bearable but in many ways rewarding. Today I am a man, free of the bonds of career and corporate expectations. Just a man, successful in self worth and free to experience all the wonders of the world. For me, this sufficeth.

posted by Unknown @ 8:12 AM