Yesterday two incidents reminded me of change.
I have newly come into a responsibility working with our museum here in town. As such, I contacted the chair of the museum board. The idea was to just sit and hear what was expected and where we were headed as a board.
The willingness was there and the time was available. The discussion was profitable but there was within the chatting a sense of the past hindering the future. Where there were disappointments with such things as volunteers and financing, there was a desire for better but a realism that could hold them back. That mourning of the past and excitement for the future was very real.
The second group was planning a youth event related in part to drug and alcohol. This event has run for the last three years. Not a long history. A whole new scenario was put before us. Requiring a new way of thinking. Last year’s schedule was to be completely thrown out. A new schedule required more flexibility. At first those who had been a part in the previous few years could see only the turn in the road and not the destination. After much talk, the old was affirmed. The great thing was that the new achieved the same purpose, just in a different way. After 1 1/2 hours of discussion the group was ready to set aside the old and try something new.
Old and new need not conflict. Each can be a fulfilment of the purpose for the life of the institution or event. Paths may exhibit gravel at one point and asphalt at another – the real question is whether they continue in the same direction!