Change ain't easy

291 days ago, I found out my job was changing, a lot. As I reflect today, the last day of 2024, I look back and look ahead.

This message is for all of you who have gone through job loss, job change, personal loss, personal change, and so many other forms of change during 2024 and the past few years.

Let me be clear when I say:

It is okay to not be okay.

And when I reflect on a friend of mine that once told me:

Don't suffer in silence - please let us help you.

If you know me, you know that I love change - opportunity, excitement, possibilities, potential, working with new people, making new friends, having new experience, learning, growing...

But, I've been forced to go through some changes professionally this past season and it has been hard, and I have hurt.

It has been:

• Sad
• Rough
• Unclear
• To the limit
• Affecting my wife who had to go back to work to get insurance for our family
• Affecting my children who cried with me as we came to terms with the changes

It has also been a season of:

• Growing in faith
• Growing closer as a family
• Learning myself
• Knowing who I can trust and depend on most
• Focus on my family and close friends
• Making many wonderful memories outside of work
• Preparing for the future

And I've been fortunate to do a lot of self-reflection:

• How bad do you want it?
• Do you trust yourself?
• Do you believe you were made for this purpose?
• Or are you unsure?
• Are you wavering?
• What are you mad about?
• Get over it.
• Moving on doesn't always mean moving up.

Its been 291 days since March 15. That was the day that I found out I'd be going through a major change. Many of the past 291 days have reminded me of the line "just one of those days" (IYKYK). There have been a score of days that were amazing. And there's been a large number of disappointments.

I'm through the thick of it now. Things are looking up. So, as I've sat on this post for a few months, I can honestly say the news I got on March 15th has made me stronger.

God had a plan through it all.

Please let me know if/how I can help you if you are going through hard times and need someone to talk to.

We're all in this together.

PS: My manager, past employer, and team were excellent supporting me and my family through the change. We continue to stay in close contact and support each other.