It has been over a year since I changed employers and industries and I'm feeling a bit melancholy and reflective. I enjoy my "new" position and get along well with my co-workers in addition to loving my enhanced responsibilities and move up the corporate structure. Still, I miss my former employer and some of my former coworkers on occasion. No – I'm not looking to take a step backward, just partaking in a little harmless reminiscing.
After investing 60+ hours a week for over seven years, I guess that is to be expected. So tonight, I stopped by my former employer's website to catch up on the latest news on my old department's section of the website. I clicked on one of the annual publications I had spent several months a year assisting my boss (department head and executive vice president) to manage and complete. It occured to me as I scanned the book that I'll never be working frantically and furiously to reach the various deadlines (some reasonable – some not) again.
I'll never be sitting in another staff meeting to dicuss the editing, proofing and printing schedules. I'll never again need to harass the lobbyists and regulatory staffers to finish their assigned sections. I'll also never enjoy that mixture of relief and pride that always came with the successful completion of an intense and well-anticipated annual project.
Is it odd to miss something that gave me unnecessary levels of stress and discontent for several years? I suppose not – I occasionally miss some aspects of my time in uniform as well. However, make no mistake, I'm not looking to backtrack or return to the "good old days." That said, I am smiling as I look back on the people I've known and places I've been to get where I am currently spending my days.
Man your old james, Most people just get drunk. I guess this is what you would call getting away from the norm. J/k about the old part. You you know your always invited 😛
4/19/2006 11:15:00