I’ve known for a long time that I needed to take a good, hard look at where I dedicated my limited time and energy resources. And that doesn’t just apply to the stuff in my house. It also applies to my time.
And I’ve been doing some soul searching. Some dig down deep soul searching.
Before I was injured and before I woke up to the whole idea of simplification, I was not only working a demanding, high powered job, I was also doing a significant amount of non-profit work. I served on the Board of Directors of several organizations, was a committee member of three more, and was the Chair of another committee.
Every summer I also participated in a variety show as a performer. As part of the variety show, which raised money for diversity scholarships at my alma mater, I would sing, dance and perform. I also wrote scripts for the show. Parodies of songs, mostly. It consumed my life from January to April for the marketing side of the production and then from May to June for rehearsals and performances.
And it was a worthy cause. I dedicated more than 15 years of blood, sweat and tears to that organization. And when I say blood, I mean literally. Blood, a couple of broken toes, a sprained wrist and I performed one night with food poisoning from some bad shrimp. With a smile on my face. I was a nauseous, sweating mess laying down backstage. My friend would help me change costumes and then wake me up when it was time for me to go on. In turn, different years, I’d drive her to the Emergency Room when she tore muscles. Yes, two different muscles, two different years. Good times. What can I say, we were dedicated. And those injuries were minor to the broken ankles and wrists some of our compatriots suffered. For realz.
But it’s time for me to take a step back. Not from the friends I’ve made through all of these organizations. Most definitely not from the friends. But from the commitment.
Sometimes you have to really analyze where your time is going. Is your passion for it still there? Are you coming up with fresh, exciting new ideas? Are you putting the organization’s best interest before your own? Or are you bending the organization to benefit yourself in some way, even if it’s not in the best interest of the organization? Those are questions I’ve been asking myself. And when you’re too exhausted, or too set in your previous ways, to infuse the organization with the new life it deserves, it’s time to move on.
And that’s where I am. So, I’m stepping out and letting new, energized, excited, dedicated people 15 years my junior take over. I’m passing on the gift that these volunteer opportunities were for me.
I’m hoping that in the blank space that was previously overflowing, I’ll be able to find what I’m meant to do next. I don’t know what that is. I only know that I need to find it. And I’m confident that I will.