Walking Home Backwards

...er...not literally (if I did that, you'd probably be sending me 'Get Well' cards right about now!)

This was my first full week of taking the "A" train to and from work, thanks to the "R" train tunnel being closed.  You all remember the "A" train, don't you - http://youtu.be/bHRbEhLj540 - or are you all too young  :>)  How about "New York, New York a wonderful town...the Bronx is up and Battery is down"?  http://youtu.be/x7CIgWZTdgw

But I digress!  The result of my subway train was that at the end of the day, I had to walk back the way I came in the morning. Until now, I'd only taken the "A"train to work - never home.  Now, you may not think that's any big deal.  But when you're in lower Manhattan, 2 blocks from the "Canyon of Hero's" it is a rich experience.  And slightly disorienting, as well! Think of it, all yea suburban dwellers! How many of you park in the same spot at the mall every time (over by Sears, where there's one of only 4 trees,to allow my car some shade).  There's a reason we are creatures of habit!

I suppose this is just another way life has turned direction for me. In so many ways my life today is like I've turned around and headed in the opposite direction.  And getting my bearings is not easy!

 

Yes, I'm still working in the mentoring world and, yes, youth development is still my focus. But perspective has a lot to do with how we manage change. As familiar as the work is, turn me around, introduce new process, tools to manage the process, systems to manage the tools and the process...well...it's a bit disorienting.   Which, in turn, is scary.  Perhaps, then, the greatest challenge is in how we cope.

The first few days of my journey in reverse were disorienting. Made worse by the fact that I work in a part of town that consists of named streets and not numbered ones, I kept getting a sense I was going in the wrong direction. Surrounded by unfamiliar landmarks and a bunch of buildings either under construction or being repaired following Storm Sandy, uptown and downtown weren't clear to me anymore. I had to remind myself that I was smarter than I was feeling and that if I just tried to change my frame of reference, I'd be ok.

I took two approaches to coping: I held on to my common sense (if the street was running downhill, it was most likely heading toward a river), and I put on my best Lewis and Clark impression and approached it all like an adventure. After all, what was the worst that could happen? I walk a few blocks out of my way?

Which, of course, did happen. And, as a result, I discovered a route that cut at least 2 blocks of my walk; 2 post offices en route (how handy is that?); 2 dollar stores (keep in mind, I work 3 blocks from the NY Stock Exchange!); and a Church (with those 15 minute mini-services that city churches in business areas seem to have).   Before I knew it, what started out as an anxious time has now become a journey of discovery - Henry Hudson, move over!

So for my friends who aren't city dwellers, next time you're at the mall or the grocery store, try 'walking backwards' for a different perspective. See what you discover that you may not have noticed before. Name your favorite explorer and head-off in a new direction! Approach it with eyes open, courage and curiosity.  Journey on!

Up On A Roof...

I'm reminded of the early days of my 'break'. I came and sat up on the roof a few times to write, think and reflect. Today is such a gorgeous day and there's a little piece of shade up here, so I had to take advantage! There's a great breeze coming over from Coney Island, not too warm.

Today's mass reflected on change. How nothing in life stays stagnant (thankfully) and not all change is good, or quick enough for our liking. Yet, change is how we see the Spirit at work. Calling us, moving us (sometimes, maybe, pushing us) to keep going.

Today a little baby was baptized (full immersion in the font!) and as his daddy held him up high, one couldn't help but feel both hopeful and called. We all have a chance to bring around change. Change for the better, if we try hard. We all have an obligation to do so. If not for ourselves, then for the future. Some change is bigger than we are; and we have to call in reinforcements. Most changes are small, but significant in the context of the world within which we live. It takes commitment, passion, and a willingness to try...no matter how small or how big the change may be.

We get tired, uninspired, fed-up and worn down. And then you see something like a little baby being help up high, to the sky, and you realize that you aren't that tired. Or uninspired. Or fed-up. Or worn down. No...the future is dependent upon us. Yes, change takes time. But it has to begin. And we have to stick with it. And keep challenging ourselves and others. And supporting one another to be better at what we do and how we do it.

Most of my life decisions have been about change. I don't prefer to live in a stagnant world, or work in a stagnant environment where everyone thinks/believes that everything is fine. Where's the fun in that? Or the challenge? Or the growth? Or the living?

Baby Noah, welcome to the world. Welcome to change.