As I enter into the final 60 days of my time as Sheriff, I think back over the amazing experience that it has been, and the equally amazing people I have had the opportunity to work alongside in keeping Kewaunee County a great place to live, work, and raise our children. Over the past few weeks, I have started the process of transition, to include cleaning out my office, which has brought back so many memories and reflections of projects, plans, initiatives, and overall work that I have had the honor of being part of. Bringing me to my topic for this week: Capacity.

The word capacity comes from the Latin word “capacitas,” which means breadth or being able to hold much. In this article, I will apply the word capacity to our ability handle the various pressures, stressors, and challenges that we face in life. Each of us has our own unique capacity for such loads, but what is truly remarkable about each and every one of us, is that we have the ability to increase our capacity. 

In the mechanical world, capacity is static. If you have a half-ton truck, you know its payload capacity is 1,500 to 2,300 pounds. If you have a three-quarter ton truck, that capacity is 3,000 to 4,268 pounds. Anyone who has grown up on a farm, knows the consequences of exceeding the capacity of your truck. It doesn’t end well. 

In the world of human nature, however, we can grow that capacity. We do this by continually challenging ourselves, accepting failure, then building on that failure with the knowledge gained through it. In the resiliency world, we call this “Failing Forward”. As I look back over the past 34 years in law enforcement with 20 of those as Sheriff, I have done a great deal of Failing Forward.

When I ran for this office, I was a young 36-year-old patrol officer, with what I thought was a significant amount of life experiences to meet the challenge before me. To be honest, I didn’t know if I had what it would take, but I was blessed with a strong sense of optimism, so away we went. Remarkably, I was able to convince enough people in this community to have as much faith in me as I had in myself. My capacity was about to tested.

From the moment I raised my right hand, my life changed forever. I ceased to be Matt Joski, and took on both the title and obligations that went along with my new identity: Sheriff Joski. 

There has not been a day that hasn’t challenged me. Every interaction increased my capacity through a broadening of perspective, an increase in tolerance, and an appreciation for the beauty of each person with whom I interacted. There were times when that broadening came easy, and was a result of a pleasant event or conversation. Other times, it was the result of an event or interaction filled with pain and suffering. What is important, is that in either circumstance there was in fact growth, and an increase in capacity. I can never be that idealistic 24-year-old that put on the uniform so many years ago. I’ve seen too much, and I am grateful for all of it, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, for it has made me who I am. 

Within us, we each have our unique capacity to handle the many challenging events and people in our lives. Don’t be afraid to expand that capacity.