A few weeks ago, after being diagnosed with ALS, Program Director Greg Ranstrom sent this letter to the ALF classes he had facilitated. With his permission we are sharing his letter with the ALF Network.
Dear All,
As many of you know by now, the doctors have diagnosed me with ALS.
I am trying to be deliberate about defining my current situation as a disruption. Rather than judging this new circumstance as good or bad, I want to remain open to the possibility and gifts available to myself and the people around me. Of course, I wish my family and I weren’t having to go through this, but I think I serve myself and others better with a story about possibility. The alternative is to live in denial, anger, and sadness. It’s a choice I make moment by moment. What story serves me and the people around me? I choose openness and possibilities.
This has already made a difference. I have had many remarkable conversations and connections with both friends and strangers. I am receiving nothing but support from Suzanne, ALF staff, and many in the ALF network. At home, I am surrounded by angels. The love and connection I am experiencing surpass words.
Some of you might recall the concept of the “second arrow” presented by Lawrence Ellis at our orientation retreat in Half Moon Bay. The first arrow represents the pain that exists in the world. The second arrow represents the suffering we inflict on ourselves. We can limit the second arrow of suffering by shifting our story. How do we choose to respond in a way that serves us and others? Do we increase suffering? Or do we find a way to live with the pain, and still become our best selves?
As I write this today, I am happy and looking forward to more connection and purposeful work. I will work as long as I can – with ALF, on my software startup: Who is Working on What (WiWoW), and related consulting projects.
Meanwhile, we (mostly my wife, Alisa) are trying to keep up with care decisions. Our current efforts include researching clinical trials (How to make a smart decision and who can help?), diet (How to maintain weight on a Ketonic diet?), and adaptive tricks and technologies for work, life, and play (a recumbent tricycle with adaptive steering is my occasional daydream-design project). This is all hardest on Alisa and the kids. I want to be as available as possible for them, and I am working on revised financial plans, especially college for Cole (13 y.o., 7th grade) and a sustainable future for Alisa. My original plan was to keep doing the work I love deep into my 70s. I hope to pull that off still, but I am working on the quick exit plan, too.
Please send me an email greg@gregranstrom.com if you want to receive updates and reflections on my journey.
Much Love,
Greg
Greg Ranstrom is the Program Director at American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley, a position he has held since 2004. He facilitates the experience of 20-30 cross sector executives through a 22-day exploration of leadership challenges of the 21st century. Greg also delivers his Culture in Action™ process to help companies thrive. In 1989, he co-founded Outside Insights to deliver experiential leadership workshops for companies, including Exxon Chemical, Motorola, and Nestle, among others. He bean his career with Princeton University where he managed programs for underserved youth and for Princeton faculty, staff and students. Greg lives in Bend, Oregon, with his family.
