On compassionate leave
Newsletter #15 | March 2024
On compassionate leave
Hello and welcome to my March newsletter.
New subscribers; thank you for signing up. Although I should say that this month’s message is unusually unprecedented. Here is last month’s newsletter to give you a better sense of what you can expect from me moving forward.
Because move forward I will. Eventually.
Movement is as central to these writings as it is to my Coaching work: we move inwards to make discoveries; we move onwards to navigate change and progress; we move upwards to achieve everything we are capable of.
And this journal is designed to help keep you moving; from wherever you are, to wherever you want to be.
But the truth is, I’m struggling to do that right now. To offer any invitations, ideas or inspiration to maintain your momentum; because I myself am in stasis.
When I started sending these letters, 15 months ago now, I promised myself they would be helpful, hopeful and true. Thanks to your invaluable feedback, it seems like I’ve been on the right track.
But just now, I’m finding it hard to be hopeful; or offer anything helpful.
Because the truth is, on Wednesday 27th March 2024 at 4.30am, my wife died in my arms.
I have mentioned her battle with cancer in previous newsletters and occasionally linked to my blog written from the sidelines of her struggle, On Coping. If you would like to read our whole story, beginning with her diagnosis two years ago and culminating with her three final weeks in hospice care, you can see it here.
It’s not easy reading, but it is honest. Suffice to say, her courage was as dignified as the disease was brutal.
All of which means I am on compassionate leave from work.
As I’m self-employed, this means my compassion is self-directed; my leave, self-permitted. But then I wouldn’t be much of a Coach if I didn’t embody myself what I empower in others.
Hence why this month’s newsletter hasn’t been quite what I originally intended.
I will rediscover my hope. I will once again be helpful. I will get moving.
It’s what she would have wanted.
And I would love you to still be here when I do.
