Faring Forward...
I have recently taken an unlikely and unexpected “next step”… a new job in a new industry, in a new city, living in a new apartment by myself. When I started sharing this imminent event with my trusted circle, I received an overwhelming response of support. My friend Mike offered, in jest I think, to “check in on Allen”… to which I responded, “thanks for checking in on him, I'm still wondering how we will fare…” I do not know why I used the word “fare”… it was an unconscious choice of a word that somehow felt adequate to describe my mixed feelings: open anticipation and fear of the unknown. Mike responded with an excerpt (see below) of T.S. Eliot’s The Dry Salvages . I have never read this before, and Eliot’s beautiful encouraging language to “fare forward” helped dissipate my fear.
A few years ago, I started this blog with the help of my friend Keicy. The idea of the blog was to showcase my amateur photographs while reflecting on life’s events. Coincidentally, at that time, I have just launched my global leadership course, and, with my friends Gerry and Martin, we wrote a case about my global career -life story, which Gerry cleverly entitled “Abroad in the World”. Turned out to be a perfectly suited name for my blog.
Last year, I launched my work-life coaching practice, “The Next Step”. And in the past year, I have taught and coached a range of diverse clients: men and women in life and career transitions, corporate executives at Harvard’s and Darden’s executive education programs, federal executives, aspiring MBA students, inspiring community college students, and amazing women in prison. All this happened, I believe, because, at the counsel of my friend Sister Mary David, I prayed, “Here I am”.
As I look out my window into the calm of Lake Michigan and the dimmed lights of a city asleep, I see the dots connecting: Abroad in the World has been a prelude to The Next Step, which continues to lead to my journey to be Abroad in the World.
So “Here I am”, in a new job, in a new industry, in a new city, living in a new apartment by myself. I look back and it feels like in many ways, I have been faring forward, and everything that has happened in my life has simply prepared me to be where I am today. I am moved to share with you this simple prayer.
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. (by St. Theresa of Avila) To each one of you reading this blog, I wish you blessings of the holiday season… and, encourage you to fare forward.
Excerpt, T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages
Fare forward, travellers! not escaping from the past Into different lives, or into any future; You are not the same people who left that station Or who will arrive at any terminus, While the narrowing rails slide together behind you; And on the deck of the drumming liner Watching the furrow that widens behind you, You shall not think 'the past is finished' Or 'the future is before us'. At nightfall, in the rigging and the aerial, Is a voice descanting (though not to the ear, The murmuring shell of time, and not in any language) 'Fare forward, you who think that you are voyaging; You are not those who saw the harbour Receding, or those who will disembark. Here between the hither and the farther shore While time is withdrawn, consider the future And the past with an equal mind. At the moment which is not of action or inaction You can receive this: "on whatever sphere of being The mind of a man may be intent At the time of death"—that is the one action (And the time of death is every moment) Which shall fructify in the lives of others: And do not think of the fruit of action. Fare forward.
O voyagers, O seamen, You who came to port, and you whose bodies Will suffer the trial and judgement of the sea, Or whatever event, this is your real destination.' So Krishna, as when he admonished Arjuna On the field of battle.
Not fare well, But fare forward, voyagers.
