Lessons from a Veteran Lawmaker.

• Author: Junge, Ember Reichgott
• Position: Brief Article

Reflecting on her decision not to run for reelection, a Minnesota senator who's been a legislator for 18 years, offers some lessons she's learned about "the gift of public service."

The gift of public service over the past 18 years has been priceless. To my constituents, I say thank you for your care and support. It has been a wonderful journey, and there will never be another journey like it.

But now is the time to move on. I am not seeking reelection to the Minnesota Senate this November. It is time to serve in other ways, to make a different, fresh contribution, to build on all we have learned and done together, and to find new ways to make a difference. It is time for me to share new joys with my husband, family and friends.

This is not an easy decision. But I believe change is good-good for the institution, the individual and the people we serve. New ideas and energy are lifelines of public service and help us move forward. We shouldn't be afraid. We should welcome change and court it.

As I've reflected on these past 18 years, I have learned from my constituents and colleagues many lessons about the gift of public service: some painful, some joyful, but always positive in personal growth. I find that each can be applied in our personal lives, as well:

1. There is more than one right answer. Public service is about finding the next right answer. If we look for more than one right answer, we look in comfort, not with fear or desperation. We free ourselves from the unreasonable fear of making a mistake. We unlock our creativity and allow ourselves to resolve seemingly unresolvable partisan conflict.

2. Stay connected to your passion. Passion is the energy and vision in each of us that propels us to use our talents. We can pursue that passion in elected office or in something as simple as mentoring a child. Our passion gives us purpose. The gift of public service allows us to pursue our passion and make an immediate difference in the lives of others. The pursuit of passion can continue in many ways long after leaving elected office.

3. Celebrate the small victories. That's how mountains are built. Change in the public forum can be frustratingly slow. It's easy to focus on what we fail to achieve, not on what we are building for the future. Example: Women still make up only 28 percent of the Legislature in Minnesota. But in my 18 years, we have seen women legislators make a profound impact in changing the public agenda from "women's issues" to...