“Why are you still here?”
“I have a good thing going. Why would I want to change?”
“Perhaps you could have an even better thing going?”
“Today is good. Why should I left go of what I have? There are no promises that what I reach for next will be as good.”
The conversation and questions unanswered linger in my mind. For some, once they arrive, there is little reason to leave. They know what they have is good. They cannot imagine letting go. The point of arrival has become the destination. There are moments where I let the questions drift away. This conversation was one of them, I did not sense a willingness to explore more. I knew my questions were not intended to disrupt or disturb. I could also see that they were doing both.
The heart of what I was asking about was not specific to the company or location. I was trying to gently ask if he was happy being the same as he was years ago. I did not see any differences. The externals were identical, even his shoes. The thoughts, jokes, and favorite phrases were the same as they had been when we first met. From what he revealed of himself, nothing had moved from where it had been.
I see life as a wild invitation to grow, learn, and experience. There is always more. Even if something remains constant, we can build on what is within. Our conversations can become richer. Our minds can wander, examining and exploring. The difference is less with what we let go of and more with what we embrace. The process centers on filling our hearts and minds with things that are better than what we have.
It is important to note that in sticking to something, I am not standing still. When David noted that “day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.” (Psalm 16.8) I do not read that he had arrived. He was on a journey and God was with him.
