KerryOn: I Will Always Find You

When my kids were little and felt scared or alone, I reminded them “I will always find you.” I said those words many, many times over the years. As a result, this simple message became a kind of beacon for them during uncertain or scary situations, lighting the way to calmer, clearer thinking. For instance, during an autumn family walk in the woods my youngest decided it would be a good prank to run ahead on the trail and hide from all of us. As the sunlight began to wane, he wandered into an unfamiliar part of the woods where he was unable to see us. After a few moments of being alone, he realized he was lost. We noticed he wasn’t with us as we turned the corner toward home and called his name. As he appeared from the woods, he looked a little shaken. And once he was back holding my hand, he explained that he was scared. He said that he felt panic until he remembered “mom will always find me.” That is when he stopped moving, calmed himself, and began to listen for my voice, following it back to me, to safety. I was grateful he knew that I would find him.

When I shared this message to my young children, I wasn’t just talking about the physical location of being lost. This feeling can be mirrored in our psychology. There have been times when through adolescence they would pull away, a normal part of growing up and gaining independence. I tried to give them the space to explore and to be there for whomever they were becoming. We would talk through the difficult situation or the feeling of being in unfamiliar territory, eventually finding a space that felt grounded and safe. “I will always find you” is one of the reasons I keep a check on not only where they are but who they are as well. I want it known that I will find them, support them, and be a safe harbor when they need it.

During times throughout our lives, all of us can experience difficulties – feeling scared and alone is probably more common than we realize. This is when the message of finding someone becomes even more important. It can often mean reaching out to be there, to support them. “I will always find you” means that no matter what the situation or experience, I will be there to provide safety. This beacon can light the way when the days feel dark, scary, and lonely. So, if you ever feel lost in the world, stop moving for a moment and listen, because no matter where you are… I will always find you.

KerryOn Questions

- What do you do when you feel scared and alone?

- Are there people in your life who will always find you and who you will always find?

- How can you become a beacon for someone to be safe?

The Kerry behind KerryOn

My name is Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D. (pron. Fear-Key) I have a unique combination of skills and experience – decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university. My focus is supporting others to create their own path to leadership development, lifelong learning, and a unique leadership legacy. Take a moment to focus on leadership, then KerryOn!

To see all KerryOn's and other leadership stuff, visit www.kerrykfierke.com.