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The stillness before starting.

It’s a quiet Sunday morning. I am sat at my dining room table typing while drinking a cup of strong Dutch coffee for a change. Outside it promises to be a nice day with specks of blue in the sky and a distinct appearance of sunshine. I feel at peace, and yet a bit apprehensive and excited, all at the same time. Tomorrow I start my new job working with follow-up of those who have come out of difficult situations.

Tomorrow... and yet it feels like I am still winding down from the whirlwind of this week. On Monday I had my final shift working with adults who need extra care in their homes. And where it could sometimes be very draining, my final shift was so good. So good that it made me wonder if I could possibly fit continuing to work there into my week... I mean we do have 168 hours a week available. And yet I know that it isn’t a realistic option and instead of thinking of “maybes” I choose to simply be thankful. Thankful that I got to be a part of the lives of these adults, and hoping that I have brought something good into their lives as well.

Thursday was my final day at Kirkens SOS. So many mixed feelings. It’s always a challenge to leave something when it’s going really well and you can see the potential to continue building. A challenge to leave a good work environment with great people. And yet, there is a time for everything, and I know this is my time to shift into something new. As I switched off the lights and locked the door as I left it was very surreal to know that this which has become my “normal” is no longer that.

The past few days I’ve felt a bit scattered. When you’re not settled somewhere it’s easy to feel a bit all over the place. And yet at the same time I feel so at peace. And the apprehensiveness is more a feeling of anticipation. Wondering what it will be like to work at a new place, and wondering what it is that I am and have that I can bring into it.

And so I choose to embrace this final day of “in-between” jobs to relax. Choose to enjoy time with friends and family. And with that, prepare to step into this new venture open to learn and give and build, with the hope of seeing many lives changed and strengthened in the process.

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