Like the old joke about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane, I am walking away from a perfectly good job. I love the people and the organization. And I have a special fondness for our clients, which are alumni associations. It was all about keeping the promises we made to them…..a driving force in our day-to-day activities. Having been one of our clients, I knew the importance of keeping the faith with them…..having their trust.
But after a very good 17 year run it just feels and seems right to jump out of the plane…and find something I have never done before….face the free-falling feeling of not having an income to maintain a life style I surely have come to enjoy.
So now the process: leave the people and the position with as much care and sensitivity as possible. As long as they pay attention to their relationships, accept their colleagues for whom they are….dedicated, hard-working and caring individuals, they’ll be fine. It will then be time to go into this next phase of life and learn what it may hold for me.
So starting that process is/was transition step #1. Last week I took transition step #2 by attending the annual CU World Affairs Conference. After having intended to attend for the last 20 years, I became tired of hearing me talk about it and decided I would just do it. I’m so glad I did. I attended sessions on such things as the cultural impact of the de-massification of the media, how we all are unknowingly breaking laws or regulations when we use the Internet, about the many many wonderful stories of our immigrant’s journeys to the USA, and an across the political spectrum view of the recent anti-immigration laws inacted in Arizona. More on these subjects and others later after I contemplate them awhile.
And today, transition step #3…..start the blog.
psuper 
Phil, I enjoyed your comments and insights. Your kind words about me served as a reminder of the values of friendship and how fortunate we have both been in having colleagues that helped us grow professionally and perhaps more importantly, have become special friends. I have always admired your leadership qualities and your intellectual curiosity. Your recent decision to explore other pursuits and to find other opportunities in the adventures of life, gives continuing evidence of your unique qualities. You are blessed in having Ligia as your wife and partner as you jointly explore the challenges and rewards that await you. For those of us seated on the sidelines we cheer you on with best wishes and considerable envy.