The last

The title sounds final doesn't it, the last, as if there is no more to be had. Quite dramatic indeed, especially considering I refer to my weekend. It's not the last however - at least as far as I know - just the last before I begin a new phase in my career and life. If it was my actual last I'd not be spending it sitting in front of my computer typing this, that's for certain. No, I'd be doing something else entirely.

The drive

As an individual I always seek continual improvement, growth and progress as Ben Franklin calls it above. It is intrinsic to the (hu)man I am. It takes various shapes and forms swinging between driving towards a growth-development-progress goal and feeding my soul with peace, solitude, solace, nature and so on. Sometimes it's quite passive and other times active; one balances the other. Either way, it occurs and I've found great and lasting value in the process.

I have a good life, or so I believe. I'm reasonably fit, strong and healthy, have the desire and ability to build lasting relationships, a history full of amazing things, humour, passion, discipline and ownership, a degree of financial security and the desire to want to grow and develop as a person; I'd call me wealthy from an all-round life perspective.

I've also been through some incredibly tough times that almost broke me, ended my life in fact, and have brought a darkness that, whilst typically stays on the periphery, occasionally closes in on me.

That's life however and I don't think it's much different for others despite the actual events and situations being specific to them. Life is full of challenges of one sort or another and we have to navigate it, and the challenges, as best we can. There's little alternative but to do so and those possible alternatives are unpalatable to me; quitting isn't in my nature. So I work hard, seek growth and progress constantly and find improvement, achievement and success commensurate to that effort and the ownership, responsibility, discipline and action I take. It's at those things I drive, the rest falls into place from there; or not. I evaluate and adjust then go again when results are poor.

The last weekend

I've been doing various things over the weekend from writing on hive, taking some photos and reading to helping a friend do some fencing at his house and having a barbeque. Sunday was lawn mowing, a trip to the mall to collect some things, a couple hours hiking and a movie - Nothing too exciting, just my life doing what it does.

I've also spent some time thinking about my new role beginning this week and how it impacts my life. Of course, that was all factored in prior to accepting it and I've carefully considered the changes. But today I was thinking clearly about the benefits to the changes that role will bring. I can't see negatives when I look at it, no matter from which angle. Rather, I see many positives and many opportunities for growth, development and progress which, as I said earlier, are vitally important to me.

Life will change from tomorrow but change is good when it brings forward progress and whilst this weekend in the last of total freedom it's not a time for disappointment; it's a time to look forward with vigour and enthusiasm and a time to embrace change. It's been a good one and I look forward to forward-motion into the future.

I hope y'all have had a great weekend so far and if you'd like to comment about the text above or own your own feelings around growth and development and what it means to you please do so below.