Why the Long Strange Trip

Yes, the title of this site is an ode to The Grateful Dead, but that's not what the title is really about. It's about the trip that I've taken from just a little guy to the 70+ person I am today.

Is my journey unique? I'm not sure. I do know that as I talk about the challenges that I've had along the way, there seem to be lots of others who raise their hands and say, "That's me too."

Do we all have Long Strange Trips?

That's a question I think we need to take a look at. In our own ways, I'm pretty sure this is true. But, and this is a big but, if you haven't looked in the mirror and gotten really honest with yourself, that's not likely something you'll find out.

I never really started to realize how strange my trip through life has been till I started asking myself the hard questions. Was I good with family? The answer to that is no. It's unfortunate and something I wish I could go back and do over. But we don't get do-overs 30 years after they happen.

Yesterday, someone challenged me to also talk with thirty-year-olds when they can still do something about their behavior. This is especially true for startup business owners who are working sixty or more hours a week trying to get their business started.

I get it, I was there too. I just didn't seem to have enough energy for my family after fighting the business wars for more than ten hours a day, seven days a week. I didn't have the wisdom (there's that word that will show up a lot when talking about my earlier life) to know that my children aren't my employees, and at the time of life, I referred to people working with me as my employees instead of team members.

So, what does this mean?

I'm investigating what it means for me to take The Long Strange Trip. I hope you also want to join me on this journey. There will be ups and downs, and before long, you might also want to go back and have conversations with those you may have wished to have treated differently. Or, you might want to just start by recognizing you have behaviors you wish you could change.

The good news is you've taken the first step with recognition. Without that, in my experience, there is no change. What's your experience? Why don't you let me know?