Sweeping Change

"It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear . . . . It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to." - Marilyn Ferguson

from the east like a great storm they came
washing away old structures leaving bridges
surveying the terrain they paused to think

It has been a bit tumultuous the last few days. I had my normal days off. When I returned to work on Saturday, I noticed some of our conferences were rearranged. I had an unsettled feelings about this.

As I entered my work area, I was greeted by a co-worker who said something like. "We're all o.k., everything is fine, no one died, this is our new dress code (pointing to the jeans she was wearing), now take a deep breathe." She, then, preceded to tell me our company had been sold. The acquisition was completed and we were already working for the new out of state company. I've already been to New Employee Orientation today. Stunningly quick.

As is normal with any decent acquisition, the people sent were warm, friendly, open, and excited to tell us about our new company. The new company looks good on paper, and probably is a decent company. However, their headquarters are in small town(around 6,000-7,000) in the mid-west on property they own. It is difficult to see how it would be a good business decision remain in Seattle, WA area when salaries and the cost of doing business is so much higher. We'll shall see. It is emotionally fatiguing environment with heightened levels of anticipation, anxiety, and strangers all swirling around.

So far, the language of business seems the same except for a small card we received on voicemail. We haven't asked them yet, but do you think "parking" and "unparking" a call has to do with hold . . .

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." - Alan Cohen

I heard a radio contest the other day for six word short stories so here's mine:
Jack brought the Ozarks to Seattle.

May we be flexible