When the time is right

It’s been three whole years since I carried boxes full of items from my old office in Bainbridge through the front doors of the Alexander Building.

It was the Thursday before Christmas and I figured there wouldn’t be many people around.

Thinking I could just sneak in and out before anyone noticed me, I wasn’t prepared for my first meeting with the community.

The Rotary Club was finishing their meeting while I was sending boxes up the elevator. My jeans had holes in them. Not an ounce of makeup on my face and I’m fairly certain I didn’t even bother to brush my hair that particular day.

As soon as I was “recognized” as the new economic developer, I was ushered into the conference room. I remember trying to make a quick “get-a-way,” but it was futile. It felt like a whirlwind full of shaking hands and trying to remember names.

Before being turned loose, I was told I needed to meet the most forward thinking person in Early County. It is my understanding that Mr. Robert Collier had advocated strongly for the need to hire a local economic developer. I’m not sure if he heard my name when I introduced myself – but he shook my hand and said, “I’m glad you finally made it.”

Timing is everything – and eventually everything falls into place when it is meant to be. We celebrate effort and perseverance, but we don’t always talk about readiness and what it really takes to get there.

When the time is right, resistance will begin to fade. Doors that once felt heavy will open with far less effort. Conversations will begin to shift. Support will begin to appear from the most unexpected places. What once required constant pushing will begin to move forward with a sense of alignment. It’s not that the hard work will disappear— it’s that the hard work will finally have momentum.

For communities, organizations and leadership, timing is critical. The right idea introduced at the wrong moment can fail— not because it lacks merit, but because the environment isn’t ready to receive it. When the time is right, buy-in will grow, partnerships will form naturally and progress will become sustainable.

There are a lot of challenges we face everyday as a community, but when the time is right, things won’t fall into place by accident— they’ll do so because the groundwork has been laid.

Patience, persistence, and lessons learned along the way will begin to converge. And suddenly, what once felt uncertain will make a whole lot of sense.

Much has certainly changed in three years – except those cardboard boxes full of old office items. They still remain in the same corner of the room that I placed them in on that Thursday afternoon.

Reflecting over the past three years, I’m grateful for all the experiences and people I have met along the way. I understand so much more about what Mr. Robert was advocating for … and I’m glad I finally made it here too.

Published in the Early County News on December 24, 2025.