I had my basement door kicked in a couple of days ago. Wrenched from my comfortable world, I spent Easter Sunday hovering in the rain while a handy-man friend of mine replaced the door. It was the third time in three years that I have had my house broken into. Oddly enough, i happened to see the fellow who did it wandering in a nearby neighbourhood with a a jacket that looked an awful lot like my tenant’s hanging off his head by the hood. I had just finished a leisurely cup of coffee with a friend. The thing is i recognized the fellow and was suspicious enough that i called my downstairs girl to tell her i’d seen a man with what looked like her coat. She assured me hers was at home and I carried on with my afternoon, only to receive a call about 40 minutes later from a hysterical girl who had come home to a splintered door and no coat. I went through the usual throws of anger, upset, etc but also a sense of relief because I KNEW WHO HAD DONE IT and therefor would be able to do something about it. That wasn’t the case though. Vancouver’s finest have better things to do, I suppose, than wander around transit stations looking for lost jackets. The officer informed me that since I hadn’t actually seen him break in i was out of luck.  So why am i telling you this:

Here’s why. I drew some important perspectives from the experience. My anger and revenge urge gave way to a contemplative consideration of the millions of people who lack a safe, un-violated home. The millions of people who, despite knowing precisely who causes them sorrow and pain, are helpless to do anything about it. I just sat in the midst of the experience and connected with the shared human condition of homelessness, the lack of personal safety and security. I swept up the glass and put the apartment back in order. I am still mad, but the urge to put things right is more generous and “other” directed than perhaps it was before. As for how i will react when i see this thief again… I’ll let you know.

The Art Institute of Vancouver has a nifty little right brain/left brain creativity assessment that you might find interesting. You can check it out here: www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm

The Globe and Mail (March 5th, 2008) ran an article by Simon Avery in the business section titled “Canada faces challenge to keep aging economic engine in tune.” According to recent census data the median age of workers in Canada is gradually climbing and now sits at 41.2 years. I, at the soon-to-be age of 44, would qualify perfectly for a job in, say, transportation (44.6). And if I were a farmer I’d also be amongst my peers. In the software, computer programming and occupational therapist circles I might stand out as a more seasoned member of the tribe. The article is a warning of sorts for Industry Canada to wake up – again – to the aging baby boomers and the retirees who have little desire (or perhaps financial ability) to retire and to examine how all of us forty-plus year olds are going to influence and sustain ongoing economic growth.

What the article doesn’t address are the potential advantages that such maturity can bring. By the time we reach our forties many of us would be hard pressed to trade our seasoned perspective for another lap through our twenties and thirties (despite hoping to avoid the effects of gravity on our once firm physiques). Most of us would agree that age brings wisdom and experience. We are probably more self aware. We know our strengths. We are more settled in our skin and less obsessed with what other people think of us. We communicate better. We are more emotionally intelligent. Our priorities and values are clear or at least clearer. These riches, in a world that views aging as pathology, should not be overlooked as they represent a tremendous business asset. Just as companies catering to the young, smart and sexy put more emphasis on meeting the recreation, health and spontaneity/creativity/learning needs of their employees, companies with a predominantly salt and pepper headcount need to be asking themselves how they can best serve their people and inspire ongoing loyalty, productivity and competitive insights.

“Aging is seen as an ongoing process of managing the challenges associated with life transitions and with changing levels of personal resources such as health, wealth and social connections. Those who age well are able to find a balance or fit between their activities and these resources and to remain satisfied with their lives.” Stats Canada

The increased median age is expected to keep going up. The challenge then, is for companies – in fact our whole culture – to turn this into an asset rather than a liability. It is time to tap the deep resources of the 40-up folk. Quite likely they’ll have something worthwhile to say and the experience to back it up.

What an intense process it has been putting a website together. It has forced me to specify and clarify. I have come into contact with my highest hopes and deepest doubts. I have had a conversation with myself (and my web designer!) about what it is I really want to be doing. In essence, this process has been a self-coaching and leadership opportunity. INtwoIT summarizes what I hope to stand for professionally and the declaration leaves no doubt in my mind that I am, and will be, entirely responsible for the outcomes of my effort.

A few months ago, my sister and her husband, as a result of their inability to conceive a child, decided to adopt a baby through an open adoption centre in Washington. In order to be considered they were asked to delve deeply into their values, revisit their own upbringings, declare their commitments, examine their core beliefs, define their life and family purpose, request character reference letters, and put the whole package together in such a way as to capture their deepest, most authentic selves. THIS IS WHO WE ARE, THIS IS WHAT WE STAND FOR, THIS IS HOW WE INTEND TO LOVE AND BE IN THE WORLD. I couldn’t believe what was required and I imagined the effects such requirements would have on world population if every couple were expected to do such a thing. Needless to say they now have a deliciously healthy and happy baby girl and, as fate would have it, are now pregnant as well! I take much comfort in my new auntie duties and in the powerful metaphor that their story provides. That the clearer we are about our intentions the better able the world is to rally around and help fulfill the dream.

I hope my clarity is a catalyst for unimaginable opportunities, new connections and inspired idea sharing. It feels, in its own small way, to be a birth of sorts. It marks a new beginning for how i think about and market my coaching and consulting services. It marks the beginning of a commitment to blog and diligently consider what it is a i want to say. And i am taking time too, to acknowledge my accomplishments. I’ve worked hard to get here. I have many people to thank for their support and love. And I am grateful.