Jodi Hardin Shares an Upcoming Transition
Gratitude. I’ve been thinking about gratitude quite a bit over the last several months – how, when and why it shows itself, and how I make space to recognize it when it does. There are the obvious times and events that prompt a sense of appreciation: when new team members join the organization, when a grant report is due, and when there is a big organization-wide event. But what about the less obvious and more frequent places? How can I, and we, fully open to and nurture an attention to gratitude in our daily work?
Within The Civic Canopy’s efforts of building partnerships and fostering collaboration, we may feel a sense of thankfulness for those we have a shared connection with, when others validate our ideas, or when things come together clearly and neatly. Yet how do we sit with and foster a sense of being thankful for the complex, and inevitably more difficult and messy parts of collaboration?
What does it look and feel like to be in a space of gratitude for the person or perspective in the meeting or conversation that conflicts with our beliefs or goals? How does really hearing these perspectives stretch us to a place of empathetic understanding that supports us to open our minds and view things from a different angle? Can we be thankful for the person who helps us shift our mindsets and world views?
As one who leans towards harmony and simplifying complexity, how do I find and hold space for all of us to find appreciation for the messy, complicated process itself? The often-present tensions between process and action, orchestrated meetings and organic community togetherness, and the ongoing play between divergence and coherence can feel like an annoyance. Yet how might this stretch us to be open to and grateful that we don’t need to have the solutions, and that processes and approaches can evolve, too?
And, as the Canopy more emphatically commits to equity, how do we more assertively support collaboratives to dig deeper, not rushing to the first or simplest solution? The pursuit of equity means current systems and structures need to be disrupted and create space for new solutions to emerge. There is nothing fast nor easy about this. How can we find gratitude in the small steps, the glimmers of progress?
This messy, inclusive, collaborative, as well as deeply individual and personal, process is THE work of The Civic Canopy, the organization and processes to which I’ve dedicated the past decade. Over the past year, I’ve come to realize that my time as a Canopy staff member is coming to its natural close. It’s time to allow new leaders to step into this space of critical change and evolution. And, as the date of my departure towards the end of this year nears, my thoughts have turned more and more to what I most appreciate about the Canopy and the experiences I’ve shared with all of you during the many conversations and work we have done. As I both reflect on the past and live within this current moment, the resounding emotion that continues to emerge is my deep sense of gratitude.
I have deep gratitude for:
- this organization that has instilled a lifelong vision and core set of beliefs that center on health equity. The Canopy has embraced ongoing learning as a way to continually refine and adapt what it is doing and how it moves towards its vision.
- a beautiful, diverse group of Canopians that I’ve had the honor to work alongside. You have stretched me beyond my typical way of thinking, helped me grow as an individual and embrace growth as a collective. You’ve called me on my sh*t and blindspots while offering grace and guidance as I’ve tried on new approaches and roles.
- the relationships and experiences working with so many people, partners and perspectives across Colorado. You’ve invited me into conference rooms, coffee shops, and living rooms. You’ve trusted me with your hopes and dreams, not settled for “good enough” which in turn has deepened my understanding and appreciation for the reciprocity of this work. I am a better person for having the opportunity to learn and experience alongside you.
- And finally, I can’t express gratitude for this decade at The Civic Canopy without specifically reflecting on the partnership with Bill Fulton that deepened and expanded over the years to weather healthy conflict and difference in style and approach. I’m continually struck by your steadfast trust in me and our partnership, your gifts in creating space to work through the unknown and co-create a path forward together. I will continue to learn from and be grateful for our shared experiences.
As I reflect on the past 10 years, I realize that while I’m proud of what The Civic Canopy stands for, the work it has accomplished, and the commitment it has for the future, I’m even more touched by the gifts working for this small, yet mighty, non-profit has given me, my life, and my perspectives. I’m deeply, deeply grateful for the honor and the experience.
A friend recently reflected that transitions like the one I see ahead are simply a time of entering a “hallway of life.” I’m leaving one room as I transition from The Civic Canopy and entering a space of reflection and exploration as I watch to see what room opens next. The Canopy door won’t completely close as I will forever hold close the gratitude for all I’ve learned and experienced. For this, too, I am grateful.
