This journey of life we’re on takes many different twists and turns. But, periodically, it’s important to pause, to take stock and consider: Where are you going in life?
These points of transition are normal. They aren’t always easy, because they disrupt our patterns, our habits. And by forcing a change of perspective they open the possibility for new opportunities and further personal and professional growth.
This month marks one of those points for me.
For the past 193 months, by my count, I have written to you, my friends and colleagues, first about energy policy, and for the past 13 years about our Association and its mission, our industry and profession, and about members of our community of energy geoscientists.
I haven’t bothered to count, but a reasonable estimate would be 150,000 words or so. That streak ends here. This is my last column for EXPLORER as your executive director.
At times like this, I’m reminded of that famous Robert Frost poem, the one most U.S. members studied in school.
Moving Forward
When I speak to geoscience students around the world – when I speak to my own kids – I tell them the story of their lives is written in the rear-view mirror. Few of us have stories that played out precisely as anticipated, meticulously planned, and flawlessly executed, moving from one perfect decision to the next.
It is tempting to tell the story that way. But life is messier than that – at least my life is.
We may write our stories looking backward, but we live life moving forward, with each decision building on the last – way leads on to way. The result, as you look back at it, is a series of choices that ideally add up to a life of meaning, and a story worth sharing with others.
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it,” observed Yogi Berra. That’s where I’m standing right now.
Many people are asking me what is next. I plan to enjoy the holidays with my family, regrouping and recharging for the next stage of this journey.
For those of you who know me or have read this column for any period of time, you know that from the outset of my career, my interests have been at the intersection of energy, policy and business. It’s a topic I return to again and again, because I’m passionate about it. Those interests remain, and I hope to contribute in that space.
The world certainly needs to increase its energy literacy.
But before I go, I want to acknowledge the thousands of you – AAPG members and leaders – that have enriched my life.
During my tenure as executive director, I have had the privilege to work with 14 AAPG presidents and executive committees in serving AAPG’s members, as well as the Trustees of the AAPG Foundation.
I have done this alongside a group of professional staff who have demonstrated their mettle time and again as the Association has faced challenge after challenge, from industry slumps to a global pandemic. Some of these people’s names you know, many you don’t. But AAPG is still here because of their tenacity and hard work. I salute them.
AAPG is a community. It’s why we exist.
Together we have focused on the science that we love, engaged in a business and profession that delivers essential energy to a world in desperate need of what we have to offer. As energy geoscientists we get to study the Earth, to travel the globe and to forge community across borders and cultures. What an incredible gift.
Along this journey, over these many years, you have become a part of my story. For some of you I have had the great fortune to be a part of your story. This is a great honor for me. One that I am profoundly grateful for.
This isn’t the end of the road. This is not farewell.
I’ll be watching for you, fellow traveler, and I hope to see you soon out on the open road, perhaps just around the bend. Godspeed.