Journaling with Kim: Relevance

Journaling with Kim: Are You Relevant? A Military Reflection.

Years ago, I was attending a weapons school event to support a group of airmen I was incredibly proud of. They had completed one of the most demanding programs in our career field and were heading toward graduation. I was there as their Chief, to stand with them.

At one of the events, a prior-enlisted officer, a lieutenant, looked at me and said,

“I’ve heard of you. You’re not even relevant.”

By that point in my career, I had already flown thousands of hours, served as an instructor and evaluator in two platforms, and returned from an assignment at the Pentagon. I had worked major divisions, held responsibility as the specialty manager, and carried experiences I was proud of.

I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to.

My airmen spoke up immediately.

Years later, what stays with me isn’t what I accomplished or even what he said but the question his words stirred.

Not "am I relevant?"

But who gets to decide relevance?

I realize now: I was standing in a circle where relevance wasn’t the point.

My presence was.

Support was.

Leadership was.

And relevance, at least the kind he meant, wasn’t required.

That moment still visits me from time to time, not as a wound, but as a compass. It reminds me to ask better questions about the rooms I enter and the reasons I stay.

Relevance, reclaimed:

Our purpose was never a conference call. We don’t dial in to life waiting for consensus. You determine your relevance by being where your vision and purpose collide. ✨️

Journal Prompts

Where in my life am I still asking for relevance in rooms I’ve already outgrown?

What changes when I shift the question from “Am I relevant here?” to “Do I want to be?”

Where is my presence, service and energy already enough, without explanation or permission?