Being a contributor... does that mean that what I say matters? Perhaps being a contributor is best thought of as someone who is not worried IF their opinion has value to an organization or another individual but as someone who understand that their opinion is valuable regardless of the acceptance of that opinion.

This week's reading showed me that many of the strengths I have should never be shadowed by the upcoming life changes. I allowed my "calculating self" to manage my last two years of teaching. (It's never easy switching to a new workplace when you've been at one site for 7 years. The new place has new rules and demands.) And I just didn't enjoy being in an environment of constant measurement, even though I had numerous unsolicited praises and accolades from my other school site. I pushed aside my Central-self, which allowed so many wonderful things to happen before,  and allowed my Calculating-self to run the show. I'm happy to know that as I begin a new career change (wherever that will be) that Rule #6 will be a guiding factor in my life. Life/family/work is too short for me to constantly calulate what can vs. what can't be. Instead I need to realize that I've made it this far. I have some wonderful memories, and this next phase of my life is going to be even better than the last.

I hope to show my new coworkers, employers/employees that "not taking yourself too seriously" makes life that much brighter. 

(Lead by example...)