A recent study showed that people don’t anticipate they will change much over their lives. THINGS CHANGE.
That sentiment goes against the fact we all change significantly over time. Look back over the decades and see how your own tastes and priorities have changed. Still like that tattoo?
Most people’s life road maps include detours — some good, some bad. The secret to keeping on track is being able to adapt to change.
Which brings me to Jackie Witherspoon, who recently sold her successful magazine, SEK Living, to Kimber Wallace.
At 62, Witherspoon has worked as a newspaper reporter, newspaper publisher, public relations executive, magazine publisher and, most recently, children’s book author.
I first met Jackie when she worked as a reporter for the Iola Register back in the 1970s. She was a graduate of K-State’s journalism program. I was still in college, and looked up to her. She was smart, pretty, and a good writer. I didn’t picture myself in Iola — but it’s probably fair to say she didn’t either.
As the years passed, Jackie climbed the career ladder. From 1980 to 1995, she was publisher of the Humboldt Union. From there she worked six years at Tri-Valley Developmental Services in public relations.
At age 40 she went back to school to receive a master’s degree in magazine design from the University of Kansas.
In 2002, she began SEK Living, the culmination of her love of community across the region through writing and photography.
In retrospect, Jackie said her career path came from her love of challenge and “trying new things in life.”
“I don’t think I’ve reinvented myself with different jobs. One just naturally led to another outlet for exploration. I’ve been fortunate to be able to take what I like about particular jobs in new directions. As a newspaper reporter, it was the feature stories that I most enjoyed writing, so that fit perfectly with the magazine.”
Jackie’s most recent endeavor was the publication of a children’s book, “Sparky’s Adventures in Southeast Kansas,” which is the story of an adventuresome dog.
“It’s a ball writing fiction,” she said. “And great not to have to check facts!”
Oh my. Could she have envisioned herself saying that 40 years ago?
Jackie and her husband, Gary, have sold their big house in Humboldt. “We didn’t need all that space.”
Priorities change.
“We’re taking more time for what is truly important,” including traveling to be with children, grandchildren, and Jackie’s 94-year-old mother, who remains in western Kansas.
We change.
“I’m looking forward to the next chapter in life,” Jackie said.
Jackie’s ahead of the curve.
Learning to embrace change
