Well.... I wasn't going to write one of these "goodbye" emails, but people have asked me what my plans are for the future, so I thought I'd leave you all with at least some idea.
First, yes, I volunteered. I fit firmly into the category of those who want to "get on with the next phase of their life" as Mark expressed it, and was just looking for the opportunity, so I'm actually excited about what the future holds.
For the last few years I've really been trying to figure out what I wanted to do "when I grew up". After 18 years in the computer/networking/telecom industry I've really come to realize that this is not where my passions lie, but I hadn't quite figured out where they were yet, so I just continued on. Four years ago I thought I was ready for a change, but it didn't work out. So, when I was offered a job at ACC, at the time it seemed like the right thing to do, but it wasn't where my heart was. All the while, though, I kept looking and recently have begun to see some new directions open up - or, rather, old directions re-opening that had laid dormant for the last 30 years or so.
Not too long ago someone gave me this advise...
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do that. Because, what the world needs is people who have come alive."
It's taken me some time, but I think I'm starting to recapture what makes me come alive. Not that I've worked out the details yet, but now I'm ready to start the adventure and pursue my dreams.
The old Celtic Christians used to refer to the Holy Spirit as the "Wild Goose". Well... I'm off to follow the Wild Goose. I have no idea exactly where I'm going to end up, but I'm anxious to get started.
So... to those who remain, those who are leaving and to those already departed, I wish you the best and thank you for the good times we've had together. If you want to stay in touch and find out where my journey takes me (or more about the journey), please feel free to contact me at my home email ([email protected]) or by phone (967-4100 - I'm in the phone book!).
God bless!
Rob Laskin
A PRAYER FOR THE FUTURE
by Sir Francis Drake
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too pleased with ourselves,
when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little,
when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess,
we have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity;
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas
where storms will show your mastery;
where losing site of land, we shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes;
and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.