An inspiring, engaging and challenging couple of days with Citizens UK looking at community organising and all that this encompasses.

I’m all fired up now, but with the stark realisation that the scale of power and influence I have is about to shift dramatically. I suspect that should fill me with fear but I find it strangely empowering.

Notice period. Funny thing. Good to have plenty of time to prepare and handover.

At times, however, it can feel like the weird limbo between deciding to break up and actually moving out. A new perspective comes into play and it’s uncomfortable at times.

I suspect it feels odd for others too…

Having decided to take myself off for a short retreat when I finish work in December, I’ve been considering what should be on my reading list.

It’s fair to say that this treat from Brene is pretty high up on it so far.

Time, space and energy to study feels like such a privilege at the moment. And I look forward to the opportunity to immerse myself in it further.

Half way to a Masters… never imagined I’d be here. I missed the first-degree process completely, deciding to dive into the world of work while my contemporaries wisely carried on their studies before life got complicated.

Wouldn’t swap it for anything now though.

Older. Wiser. And exactly where I need to be.

Social Justice – basically what gets me up in the morning.

More broadly: Justice, Mercy, Humility.

This is a popular question since I made my announcement.

Answer:

I don’t really know.

I don’t want to!

I have thoughts, ideas, things to get done and to try out.

But what I’ll next give a chunk of my heart and soul to? I have a funny feeling that it will present itself in it’s own good time.

But ‘Hello’ to what next. Those open doors. Those sunlit paths. Those discoveries of treasures so far hidden…

But before that,

Lots of conversations. Tears, laughter, shock, and gentle nods of understanding.

Preparing to say goodbye to people that I have worked alongside for many years was never going to be easy. Leaving the leadership to someone else, even less so.

It needs to happen. There’s dignity in the process.

But it is so very hard.

Decision made.

Notice formalised.

Journey to the next inception has begun.

Now finish well, leave ripples of hope, invest in relationships that will stand the test of time ongoing…

And breathe.

All will be well.

As I get the wheels in motion for the biggest change I’ve made in a long time, here are 5 words that describe how I feel right now:

Hopeful

Energised

Fearful

Secure

Loved