Transition day

Today is my final day of employment from CCA after nearly a decade in several roles. Coincidentally it’s the day I signed up to pay out of pocket for healthcare via Covered California. (Man, what a blessing to have that resource in this state!) Also the first time I trained with my trainer twice in one week. Whew, tea gee aye eff 🫠

Also also, intentionally, today I had a coaching session with my good pal Río — 90 minutes of deep exploration within my physical self; as little use of intellect as possible. He’s so good at exploring other ways of knowing outside the mind. And I foreverandever love all of his questions and prompts.

Because it’s a big day of changes and feels, I have some reflections to note.

I’ve always known I’m iconoclastic — often (but not always) in the kindest way possible. (I’m not gonna dovetail it into ikindaclastic. I’m not!)

I value irreverence. I find humor in making light. It’s my namesake.

And today I realized: it takes so much commitment to the bit to keep the focus on irreverence. The other, not the main. The goldfish swimming the other direction (from this 70s snack package design). Despite prevailing headwinds, tailwinds, sidewinds and widewinds. Despite and in the face of what everyone else is doing or not doing. To keep on, keeping on.

Call it innovation if you must. But you must!

All this is coming up because I just witnessed (with front row seats) the decline of an institution who gave up so much because it could not, or did not, want to innovate. To question and unlearn. They continued choosing the status quo despite all the signs, messages, trends, data, experiences, and literal human requests pointing to new and emerging ways. Actual organic innovation — from customers — that could have been folded in to the mix.

I’ve observed this sacrifice (with front row seats) a few times in different institutions. It’s gnarly.

So in a way, today I am transitioning back to myself. With the support of a solid few Day One crew who text at 7am ET knowing I’ll wake up at 530am PT to their kind inquiry. Their expression of care, along with several others, buoys me. I have support and it’s so welcome and loved.

I’m seeing out of new eyes. Noticing new colors on artwork I’ve had for years.

It’s a comfortable day of transition without hurry and without worry.