Tuesday, February 3, 2025

Some days, life feels like a sturdy old book with well-worn pages, its chapters unfolding just as we expect. We settle into our routines, comforted by the predictability of morning coffee, familiar conversations, and the quiet hum of daily life. And then, without warning, the page turns faster than we anticipated. A gust of change sweeps through, and suddenly, we’re standing in a new chapter we didn’t see coming.

Rolling with change isn’t always easy. Whether it’s life or your life’s work that suddenly shifts course, the feeling of uncertainty can be unsettling. We can cling to the last chapter, reading and rereading the words we wish we could stay in, or we can take a deep breath and step forward, trusting that the next lines will make sense in time.  Trusting in ourselves to write those lines.

Letting go isn’t easy. We hold on because we love, because we care, because of our colleagues, because something felt safe and familiar. But when we loosen our grip, we give ourselves the gift of presence. Of seeing what’s here, right now. Of finding joy even in the in-between spaces.

There’s an old saying that we should live each day as if it were our last. That always felt like a lot of pressure to me, as if we should spend every moment chasing grand adventures. But maybe it just means being awake to what’s in front of us—really seeing the people we love, appreciating the small moments that make up a life, and knowing that even in the middle of change, there’s grace to be found.

Perspective is everything. Change, no matter how sudden, doesn’t have to mean only loss. It can mean growth, new opportunities, and a deeper understanding of what truly matters. So if today finds you in the midst of an unexpected turn, know that you’re not alone. Take a breath. Turn the page. And trust that whatever comes next, you’ll find your way through—with hope, clarity, and maybe even a little excitement for the story, your story, that is still unfolding.

Until Next Time,

Mary Schuster
Chief Knowledge Officer
October Research, LLC