by Mike Rosen
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
It takes a lot to change a man
Maybe it’s time to let the old ways die
Jackson Maine, “Maybe It’s Time”- A Star is Born
It’s a simple song, a simple message, and a powerful metaphor. Time marches on, seasons change, and what’s worked for me in the past may not work for me now. Part of my ongoing work and evolution is the skill of reflection and observation. Am I able to identify the areas in my life whose chapters may be closing? This may present in a variety of ways and signs, including habits around wellness, relationships that have changed, or viewpoints that have evolved with new data and experiences. There are times in life when things have run their course and need to be replaced with something new or different.
Often the change is subtle, a gradual shift away from what I’ve known and/or is comfortable. The origin of the change may be internal, it might be external, and it could be a combination of both. I distinctly remember Rob Bell speaking at a Zen Parenting Conference, telling a story about his son and the unique approach their whole family took towards his son’s HS education. They were open to seeing a different way of approaching and if I recollect correctly, it was a new approach that worked well for all of them. Seasons change, chapters close, chapters open.
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
I rely a lot on the analogy of chapters closing and new ones opening when it comes to experiencing change . My two youngest boys, twins Keil and Sam, graduated from high school on Sunday. Sam will be studying Civil Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, following in his Grandpa’s Wisconsin-born civil engineering footsteps. Keil will be studying Aviation at Bowling Green State University with the aim to be a pilot, following in friend and MenLiving stalwart Jason Samatas’s contrails. High school is now a chapter that’s closed for all of us.
It’s a rather mind-boggling event in terms of the speed at which life seems to pass, especially considering all of their other chapters opened and closed prior to this one. I’ve been asked if I’m sad around this and the answer is ‘No’. I’m excited for them, as I was for Jack when he moved on. It’s a big chapter to close and an exciting one to open and the privilege of my relationship with my boys is one I don’t take for granted. I wonder how my role will shift and transition. I reflect on how well I feel I’ve prepared them for this next chapter. Are there boundaries we need to renegotiate?
Parent or not, what areas of your life are worth a closer look? What’s working for you? What’s not working as well or feels mundane or unenthused? Are you cultivating an awareness and an honesty that allows you to both ask and answer these questions? Can you embrace the cyclical, changing nature of our lives? Are there seasons or chapters that have changed or closed and you possibly haven’t recognized or acknowledged them?
Through the power of AI, I created a checklist and a guide to help you answer these questions and possibly identify areas in your life where the season may be ending and/or the chapter may be closing. As we move from Spring to Summer (at least in Chicago) I invite you to browse it and reflect.
I’m curious to hear about chapters and seasons in your life that are closing, opening, and changing. Post in the Comments!
Meet Mike Rosen
Mike previously worked in a variety of roles in finance, business development, and project management. Unhappy, he changed careers and became a teacher in 2012.
