Finding Your Balance

Here it is 2010. New Year's resolutions are 2 weeks out and all I can feel is the weight of the world. This is more than you want to know about me, and probably will confirm your thoughts that I am crazy, but I have a morning routine like many of you. Mine happens to involve leaving my house at 4:15 am so my Dad and I can have some time together before we both head to the gym together. Dad turned 80 in July and we have been doing this little routine for 10 years. He is my touchstone. The voice of reason in an other wise storm of noise in my head thinking of all that I need to do and where I could have done better.

This morning he asked me how it was going and I said it just sucks. After I finished my run this morning I found a note from him on my car. It said " I hope you have a good day. You need to remember the balance - do your best and the rest will come. There are times your best won't be enough but it is all you have and you have to be proud of it".

It is hard to remember that balance. Many of you are balancing work, families, going to school and just getting through life. The one thing that I have learned with age is that a lot of my younger years were spent worrying about things that I couldn't really control anyway. I needed to give it up to God or whatever higher power you believe in but I didn't and just wasted a lot of time.

I wonder if there are strategies that you could share to help those of us who struggle with finding balance.

Reflections

So I have been spending a lot of time on vacation reflecting about the year that has passed and anticipating 2010. This isn't just the end of a year but the end of the decade.

I have personally reflected about the last ten years and realized there were some major changes: changed jobs 4 times - the last wonderful 6 years spent with you; experienced the loss of my 12 year marriage and am still standing; major health issues of loved ones, and the loss of my Grandmother. As I reflect on all this change I weigh all the blessings and honor the memories of the things and people lost.

Over the last 10 years, Children’s has grown from 4,000 children served, 500 employees, a 32 million budget to 17,000 children served and 1,000 employees and a 100 million budget. We built a brand new hospital, had the single most successful fundraising campaign topping 32 million dollars, with our first $5 million gift. We opened four new sites and renovated others. So much good and change has happened at a time when many hospitals have suffered closure and loss of services. We are positioned for continued success in the years to come.

I know this sounds sappy, but it's so true. One of the greatest things I cherish was the chance to work with each of you and the children we serve. I am constantly amazed at the lives we touch both our children and each other.

As I contemplate both my personal and professional hopes for 2010, I wonder if there are memories from this past decade, or any goals you have planned for 2010, that you would like to share?