Rest

Now, what has that got to do with architecture or the role of the solution architect (SA)? Well, in the last few releases, I have stressed the importance of your role, as SA, within the enterprise. However, it is beneficial to counter this with a dose of realism. "Rome was not built in a day", is a popular saying. One should add, neither was it built by one person! You get the gist :) I don't want anyone reading this newsletter to fall into delusions of grandiosity, or worse still narcissism, on account of their pivotal role. The phrase, "government is a continuum", is another useful variation of the Rome idiom. It is often bandied about in political circles, but we should adapt it to our context, and say, "the enterprise is a continuum". There is a continuity that spans lifetimes and waking hours, and that cannot be sustained without synergy among many individuals, united in vision.

More on this theme. There is an African proverb, which says, "If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together". As SA, you work with others from a multiplicity of contexts and perspectives, each with their own value. It is your coming together, and the synergy that is distilled, that helps you all to go far. An analogy that comes to mind, is that of migrating birds. Sometimes you carry the team, at other times, you are carried, sometimes you are at the front of the flight, at other times, you are somewhere further back.

In those times when you are not needed on the bridge or the engine room, you should make time to rest. For we Christians observing Lent at this time, remember that the Christ asked his close disciples to come aside and rest a while. I cannot speak for other religions or those of no religion. But here is a fact for everyone to ponder. US presidents, almost without exception, have always found time to go on holiday. If the leader of the most powerful nation on earth today, can have a rest, so can the SA of the most ambitious, most dynamic, most diverse, most ... organisation!

I thought I should say something today, to keep with the cadence of releases. However, I have kept it short, and focussed on the importance of sustainability. If it is important to organisations, and vital for our planet, it should be even more so for you as an individual. Even as SA. Rest!

A blessed Easter greeting from me to you.

The next release follows in two weeks' time.

Until then, adios.

🙏🏿👍🏿

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