the Seasons of Change
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver
It has been almost two years since I signed off my monthly newsletter with the ominous words, “Stay tuned for the next phase of growth.”
The last two years have been filled with motion. I have lived in four provinces, and finally (just this month), I did the thing I’ve wanted to do for so long: I relocated my family from Saskatoon, SK, to Calgary, AB.
From the outside looking in, things may have appeared chaotic. From the inside, while bumpy at times, it’s been a remarkable ride. What I’ve come to appreciate most over the last two years is the unbridled joy accompanying pursuing the things one wishes to do with one’s life.
I’ve also learned that although I coach individuals and organizations through change, this does not make me immune to real human emotions that arise when we shake up our lives and venture into the unknown. Over the last two years, I have been gifted the opportunity to ride the roller coaster of life. While the ride has had its moments of terror, I have never felt more alive, engaging in the things I want to do rather than sitting in my comfort zone wishing I were braver.
A key aspect of coaching and deliberate change is choosing to navigate the land of the unknown, with all its ups and downs, toward a destination you feel called to. It’s easy to turn back and run toward comfort; I believe that going back is part of the process. However, if we stay too long silencing that quiet voice urging us for more, we never truly discover what we are made of. As Pema Chödrön said, “Only to the degree that you subject yourself to total and complete annihilation will that which is indestructible be found.”
Final note: While we alone hold the power to change our lives, we are not meant to do it alone. Navigating the house of mirrors that is the land of the unknown is only possible when we have the love and support of friends, family, coaches, and therapists who believe in our ability to recover from our inevitable falls—and remind us that humor is the only genuine worthwhile travel companion.
And so here I am, landed in Calgary, AB, with my husband and fur-babies, practicing the art of settling after two years of motion. After exploring the contracting field, Autumn Goose is again soaring, meeting the demand from purpose-driven leaders for our customized programs that are recognized for empowering leaders, and transforming teams.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this period of change. We were never meant to fly alone.
Warm regards,
Kimberly Schmitke