It has been a long time since I last posted here. So what’s up?
Lots.
Over the past few months I have been giving meaningful thought to the question “How do I live a more meaningful life?” Don’t get me wrong, my life is blessed with meaning! My wife, my kids, my friends, my association with the marvelous members of Apex: all contribute to a full and vigorous existence.
Yet the question remains. And questions need answers.
A few years back I left an enjoyable, if humble, occupation in the Corporate Apparel and Branded Goods industry. The reason I left was simple. I had searched a long time for a way to contribute substantially to my community through my work. When an answer failed to make itself known I set out along another path in search of greater purpose. The contribution I have been fortunate enough to make on that path is something of which I am extremely proud.
Yet the call to do even more has steadily grown. I have coached speakers and writers. I have started my own communication training program. I have looked intently at the non-profit world. And it was while considering the non-profit industry that a very small light bulb turned on. I say it was small because the thought it represented was so incredibly simple: ”If a person in the non-profit field is willing to work for something less than their due, knowing that the difference is more than made up for by their contribution to the greater good, why can’t the same be done in the for-profit world?”
That question was the seed from which Better Way Trading appeared.
Better Way Trading is neither a business nor a non-profit. It is simply a commitment to support the efforts of those who work on behalf of all of us. It is also a unique mechanism for making this happen in a way that benefits everyone involved: non-profits, my employer, my clients and myself.
With this new and energizing answer as my fuel, I have enthusiastically re-entered my earlier profession. I am continuing the great work being done in Apex, and will continue to do so as long as there are those who want to learn. Additionally, I am now working for an outstanding Corporate Apparel and Ad Specialties company, Branding Merchandise, in a way that will have a truly meaningful impact for the communities I serve.
There, now you’re caught up. I truly hope that you have much to be thankful for in this time of Thankfulness and Giving. I would love to hear from each of you in the weeks to come. Feel free to send me a note at robert.killen (at) betterwaytrading (dot) com.
Cheers!
Robert
www.betterwaytrading.com (The site is up but still being worked on. Take a look and let me know what you think!)
www.brandingmerchandise.com
A couple weeks ago I headed over the mountains with my wife and boys to a small gathering in the Willamette Valley. Given the time of year, I expected rain and grey and lots of both. With these somber expectations in my head, I was stunned by a magnificent scene about halfway there. We rounded another turn in the road and I was blinded. Sun bounced off the river next to us and smacked me square in the face; shouting “Pay attention! You’re missing things here!” From that point on I reveled in the spectacular beauty of a river winding through dark trees under a surprising blue sky.
