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Welcome back to The Bend!
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The Bend follows a simple rhythm each week. The Eddy Line opens with a one-line thought or
observation, something short enough to remember but worth thinking
about. What the Current Pulled Toward dives a
little deeper into where the previous week’s energy went, whether that’s
a project, a partnership, or a personal lesson learned. Signal Fire highlights a person, place, or initiative
that deserves some attention. And One Thought Worth
Sitting With closes things out with a brief reflection or quote
that will hopefully help guide you through whatever you may be dealing
with.
It’s part journal, part field note, and hopefully
something that makes you pause for a moment before diving back into the
current.
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“Gratitude turns the place you are to the place you
want to be.“
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What the Current Pulled Toward
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This week, the current
pulled toward gratitude and contentment. Shocker, right?
Over the past 18 months, I’ve had the
privilege of building Oxbow from the ground up. Every project, every
late night, and every moment of anxiety and uncertainty has led me here.
The support from colleagues, partners, friends, and family has meant
more than I can fully express and I’m grateful each day to do this
work.
It’s easy to get caught up in
what’s next or to look over the fence and wonder if the grass is greener
somewhere else. But the truth is, the grass is greener where you water
it (assuming the soil is right for you). Part of that is knowing when to
stay and nurture what you’ve built and the other part is having the
wherewithal (and courage, for that matter) to move on when your values
are no longer shared.
I’m still
learning how to be content and how to tend the ground beneath me. What
I’ve always known, though, is it’s so very important to surround
yourself with values-driven people who have a shared vision of making
communities more livable. And when you do find
yourself in the right place with the right people, the work feels
different. It feels lighter and steadier and more aligned with who
you’re trying to become.
Being content
doesn’t necessarily mean everything is perfect, rather it means the
foundation is healthy. It means you can grow without compromising
yourself. I’m grateful to be in a season where the work matches my
values. A season where the partnerships feel genuine. A season where the
path ahead makes sense.
There’s still
plenty I don’t know. Trust me on that. But there’s an emerging
confidence that comes from knowing I’m building something that reflects
who I am and what I stand for.
- Mike.
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Dominion Risk Advisors is a
values-based risk management firm rooted in advocacy, service, and
community-focused insurance and risk solutions. They’re doing more than
just selling policies, they’re helping clients develop tailored
strategic risk-management plans that balance protection, opportunity,
and long-term stewardship.
In full
disclosure, I recently signed on with DRA. Their culture and commitment
- particularly as championed by their founder Duke Baldridge - convinced
me that I’m with a partner who has my best interests in mind. Knowing
that I can move forward with that kind of confidence helps me stay
grounded, motivated, and clear on what matters.
What stood out to me the most was
their commitment to values: clear standards of service for clients,
investing in their team, and returning value to the communities they
serve. Those principles matter, especially when you’re building
something from scratch. Having a partner who walks the walk helps give
me assurance that I’m building something sustainable.
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One Thought Worth Sitting With
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This week’s theme: Gratitude and Contentment.
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing.
It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as
well.”
- Voltaire
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Let’s Go to Germany and Austria!
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This time next year, Oxbow is heading overseas, and
you’re invited. We’re partnering with
EF Adventures for a guided
multi-adventure journey
through Germany and Austria, exploring Bavaria, Tyrol, and Salzburg
by foot, bike, paddle, and rail.
It’s part cultural immersion and part active escape,
with alpine trails, lakeside yoga, village cafés, and the kind of views
that make you forget your phone exists. This isn’t a tour bus vacation;
it’s a chance to travel intentionally, move through landscapes at a
human pace, and connect with a group that values
curiosity
as much as comfort.
If you’ve ever wanted to explore Europe beyond the
postcards, this is your moment.
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Follow Oxbow on Social Media
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