Experience, Inc.

Storm Home

In school, one of my favorite teachers introduced our class to Garrison Keillor's concept of a storm home. It's a place – physical or otherwise – where you can go when your life feels surrounded by difficulties and challenges. When you're caught in the rain, struggling to deal with stress or trauma, or if you're just having a bad day, it's a place where you can feel safe. People can be part of your storm home. Anyone who helps you feel safe and whole and hopeful can contribute to your storm home. We all need a storm home at times – when we feel overwhelmed by stress and uncertainty, or when we lose hope.

There have been times in my life when work served as my storm home. After my father's death, I was sad and overwhelmed with loss. Friends encouraged me to take time away to grieve and recover. However, it was work that supplied the structure I so badly needed. Work prevented my mind from a spiral of negative thoughts. It challenged me and offered respite from the loneliness I felt after his passing. I had support from my family at home, but work provided something else. When your experience as an employee is positive, your job becomes much more than a paycheck. Recognition, a sense of accomplishment, community, added purpose, even sanctuary – that's what work can be.

In an age of doubt and mistrust, where people have lost faith or confidence in core institutions, one's job and workplace can bring a welcome sense of purpose and meaning. This is a critical moment for ...