Scenes from the unemployed

Been jobless for 2.5 weeks now - can I tell you how much I am enjoying this? I'm feeling like a new woman...no longer do I crave monthly massages (well, I still crave them, but I certainly don't NEED them like I used to). Seriously, the tension knots in my shoulders have subsided. I am not stressing about the job I had and certainly I'm not camped out in front of a computer screen for hours and hours each day. That alone is huge!

I left my company on very good terms and have no regrets. I am grateful for the way it worked out and feel it was a very fair parting. That feels good - I'm not good with unfinished business, especially unsettled relationships. I am all about resolution!

Other goodness that has come about includes many, many delightful outings with friends - coffee, lunch, dinner and happy hours have filled up my planner these last few weeks. I am seeing friends I've known for 20+ years and others that I'm just discovering. I have received an abundance of advice, comfort, validation and love. This is what keeps me going! I am highly clear on who I want in my life and which people I can bid farewell to. I am no longer interested in negative, toxic people. I have no time or interest in listening to self-destructive, judgmental types who spew venom. Ick, no thanks.

Luckily my world is full of the opposite....kind-hearted, giving, productive souls. Why would you want to be any other way?

Anyway - my days are spent running errands, deep cleaning the house and prepping for my professional organizer business. I am taking a 2-day training this week and filled with excitement over what that will look like! In the last week I've gone to the monthly NAPO meeting as well as the Organize2Succeed conference. I networked my little heart out and have met some sharp, kind women. Moving forward and making progress!

Now in a perfect world, that would be my career - however, I have two large, hungry teenage boys to feed and they would not appreciate the Dave Ramsey diet (beans and rice, rice and beans)!! So I am soul-searching right now, thinking of what types of jobs would be a great match of my best talents and skills combined with a company that offers plenty of support and growth. I am so very confident in God's path and His desire to lead me to this position, that I honestly am not worried about the how's and why's of the situation. I am grateful for my financial responsibility that led me to save money every single month, so I now sit here with no debt except the mortgage and a nice, healthy emergency savings. I chose to do without a ton of extras all these years, instead I chose to steadily sock away as much $$$ as I could. The peace of mind is so much more worth any clothing or material goods I would have blown my hard-earned cash on!

And so the journey continues. I find myself living a very well-balanced life. I exercise regularly, cook and bake a lot, hang out more with my boys, see friends several times a week. I joined my church's job transition support group and am reading "48 Days to the Work You Love." It's all working out really beautifully!

When someone asks Dave Ramsey how he is, the instant reply is "better than I deserve." That really sums up my feelings as well. God has blessed me and I feel his presence in my life more than ever. It just gets better and better!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some bathroom cabinet organization to tend to!

Happy November ~

Begin again...and again...

From Joel Olsteen Ministries:

Today’s Verse: “He who was seated on the throne said, ’I am making everything new!’…” (Revelation 21:5, NIV).

Today’s Word:

Can you remember the time when you first discovered a big dream in your heart? Maybe you were determined to excel in your career, or excel as a parent; or even excel in your walk with the Lord. You probably started out strong, but maybe things got a little difficult and didn’t happen as quickly as you would have liked. At that point many people decide, “Let’s just settle here. It’s not exactly what we wanted, but at least, it’s good enough.”
Friend, I want to remind you today that you were made for more than good enough! Maybe things haven’t worked out the way you planned, but now is not the time to stop and settle. Now is the time to dig your heals in and begin again. And even if that dream has died—it’s time to dream another dream. God has so much for you in your future.
If you’ve settled in any area of your life, take that first step by declaring, “I am not going to settle for mediocrity. I am made for so much more! Things may be difficult, but I am pressing forward. I’m going to keep believing, and I’m going to make it all the way in to my Promised Land!”

Prayer for Today: Father in heaven, thank You for this new day. Thank You for the opportunity to begin again. I choose to press forward and keep believing for the dreams and desires You’ve placed in my heart. I trust You today with everything that I am. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

and the beat goes on

Four more days and I'm done working - but I'm not fretting; I'm actually so relieved to have some time to get caught up at home, seem some long lost friends and get my life in order.
I had a great phone interview today and another one later this week. This time I'm going to be more choosy - the company has to wow me just as much as I need to impress them. One thing's for sure, God is continuing to bless me - daily, it seems. Doors seem to be opening, lights are brighter and my mood is continually elevated.

In a few weeks I am participating in a 2-day training session to learn the ins and outs of being a professional organizer. I went to the chapter association meeting last week and the speaker had me completely riveted! Seriously, he spoke on marketing and I have never been so intense with a speaker before. He knocked it out of the park and I'm beyond thrilled to put my new knowledge to work. For now I plan to have a full time job, save up $$$ and start my PO biz on the side (weekends and evenings). I intend for this to be a big and wildly successful business - I plan on being able to drop the full time job within a reasonable time and just be a PO...the freedom is that is so inspiring I can almost taste it.

Just think - the day would be mine to plan and schedule and the profits all go in my bank account!

All my life I have been searching for a true career, the missing piece of my puzzle. I have had many terrific jobs and oh, the outstanding friends I have made! But careerwise, I've bounced around like a pinball. I always landed on my feet, but the excitement was short lived - you know why??? I never really paid close enough attention to what excites me. Now, I always knew I loved to write and was good at it. I always knew I was good at relationship tendering and those skills kicked me into higher and higher income brackets, but honestly? The money didn't fill the void, the place inside me that was curling up and dying from neglect.

I am usually a few steps behind - been that way my whole life. But now, now I'm starting to "get it" - I've begun to take note at the things, people and events that really make me sit up stick straight and smile huge. These moments when you feel it, deep in the gut - that's when you need to start taking notes. Make a list...what makes your heart sing? Who are the people you walk away from feeling like a million bucks? What do you find yourself paying extra attention to on TV, the radio, in newspapers, books & magazines? This is the essence of who you are. Starting playing around with your list. Somewhere, somehow in your notes is a career, a new beginning, a way to make money the easiest way possible - by highlighting your strengths and delegating out your weaknesses.

My list went like this: I love organizing anything - closets, junk drawers, garages, etc. I love to write, I love to help people and lead them to a new chapter of their lives while improving their world. I love being with high energy, optimistic and loving folks.

Out of all this, a career as a PO became evident. What a gas!

And in the last few weeks the wheels are turning faster, the ideas are generating and I'm lining myself with the folks who can help me get there. My excitement over what awaits me is palpatable and I can taste it!

Keep me in your prayers - ask God to keep leading me where He wants me to be. When the student is ready, the teacher appears.

!!! WOW !!!

Awesomeness part 2

So>>>I am still finding awesomeness and old friends all around, as mentioned in my last post.
Last night I was messing around on my big time-suck hobby FACEBOOK...and I decided to try and find someone from the old days. I looked up my boys' first babysitter Denise. Ta Da! There she was! Sent her a quick message and friend request and she excitedly replied! I am very happy to have somewhat caught up with her life...her husband is a minister and they now live in New York. Her kids are now adults, which is CRAZY and she was just as amazed to hear my boys are almost-16 and 14.

You couldn't ask for more out of a babysitter - Sam was almost 2 and Zach was a baby - and Denise was the first non-family member to care for them. And she was so loving! I am forever grateful to my friend Lianne for finding Denise and sharing her with us.

So God led me back to yet another influential and inspiring person. THANK YOU! Think about it...who would you love to reconnect with? Even if you have lost touch, do a Google search or hop on Facebook. It is such a thrill