Transitions and New Beginnings

I was jarred awake early one morning a couple months ago by the sound of chainsaws. Not necessarily a unique sound in my neighborhood in the spring as it seems everyone is having work done in or outside his or her home. But these chainsaws were taking down a tree. A very large, very old tree in the yard across the street. At first, I was quite sad. It was a majestic monster that soared over this part of the street. I thought about how it will change the skyline. How I will no longer see it swaying in the breeze on a windy day. How its birds and creatures who called it their home will have to relocate. But then I had a change of heart. I thought about how the tree obscured the view behind it. How the swaying in the wind sometimes made me nervous as it could come down at any moment. How it towered over us, as if constantly reminding us that it was here long before we were.

Directly across from that tree in our yard is a new tree. The flowering Dogwood that I planted last summer that is just about 2 feet tall. For a good part of the day, the old tree blocked the sun on the new tree. There was a time I thought it might not survive. However, I realize now it will get the sun it needs to grow and thrive.

This day just also happened to be the day that we performed our second pandemic era virtual leadership installation to welcome in our 2021-2022 Board of Directors. The theme of this event was “Transitions and New Beginnings.” It all felt very fitting. The old tree that had watched over the street all those years was moving on, to transition into the foundation as mulch that will spread across a future garden bed, helping flowers and shrubs
grow to their full potential. Just like previous leaders ushering in our new leadership who will help NAEA start its next chapter. A new chapter of leadership, which is particularly noteworthy, because for the first time it includes two African American women who (for too long) have also been overshadowed by those around them. This is their turn in the sun. I am so proud and excited to be able to work alongside them and the other members of the board.

The keynote speaker at this event, Anisha Bailey, EA, CEO of Taxley, challenged all of us to “rise to the highest” to be our best selves, to push ourselves forward, and to work hard and persevere. During times of evolution, this is a message that really resonates as we look ahead and see what has been obscured by the big tree, help NAEA members get where they want to go professionally, and move the association forward.