I had lunch today with my very good friend, SJ. She was one of the many who were laid-off from our firm yesterday.
She couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
It was then I realized that what I was saying to everyone yesterday, about how there is always a silver lining...this is just a job...there is so much more to life...things like this remind people of what is really important in life - all of it is true. She is excited to have the opportunity to find her true joy in life and pursue that, rather than being stuck in the less-than-fulfilling job she'd been doing at our firm. I'm actually a bit jealous.
Even though lunches between SJ and I always contain ample portions of laughter, in light of recent events, I was prepared to do my best to help her feel better. Instead, she helped me.
I share in her joy. She inspires me.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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9 comments:
I feel the same way. If my spouse were to lose his job, it would be good, in a way. He'd be free from the IP stuff that would keep him from finally starting his own company. So in a way, I'm kind of hoping it happens.
Good for the both of you! I'm so glad to hear one 'happy ending' to the recession post. Maybe now, you two will have more time for weekday lunches???
Could you please pass along my info to SJ? I'd like to set up a lunch date with her.
I am a firm believer in making your life a success and your success at your job should not define you. Sometimes we have outside influences that can rip our world apart, but you have to make a success of the present so that there are no regrets on the past. I am happy for SJ that she will make a "success"n out of this situation.
I have read several stories of people who were laid off and have found a real "calling" for themselves even though they make a third less of the money they'd been making.
As much as I see the glass as perpetually empty, I try as often as I can to find that silver lining.
This is so nice to hear! I think most of us have been walking under a dark cloud lately, esp. with the media's doom and gloom attitude.
Let me just say that although I was pretty well prepared for getting the axe, there was still that hope, however miniscule, that it won't happen, so when it actually did, it was a bit surreal.
Given that I'm not huge big risk taker - though I'm very open-minded and supportive of others who are adventurous - leaving my job, unfulfilling as it was, was probably not a decision which I would have made on my own. However, now I'm sitting here feeling remarkably happy, excited, clear-headed and completely at peace.
I'm reminded of the summer when I was 6 yrs. old when I jumped off the diving board at the deep-end of the olympic-sized pool at the local Jr. High. At age 6 this had been my dream and ultimate goal of how to end my summer vacation. However, once I was on top of that diving board looking down at the 20 feet that separated me from the water, I recall feeling a combination of excitement, fear, and anxiety as I thought all eyes were on me. I remember my instructor counted to 10 and then I jumped...and I was fine! I surfaced to hear whistles and claps from my instructor and the folks that had stopped to watch me. I left the pool that day feeling proud, overjoyed, supported and I had this same silly smile plastered from ear to ear that I have today - the "bring it on" smile.
For the majority of us who do not define ourselves through our jobs (not you Mr. Obama, as the leader of the Free World, I think you may be the exception), we need to make sure that our jobs do not take over our lives, they should only sustain our lives. I hope this doesn’t sound too Oprah-y, but I'm looking forward to exploring new opportunities both in the job market and in life in general - I plan to stop living my life so tentatively and to pursue situations, relationships and opportunities which truly inspire me and give me back as I give them - a pursuit of my own personal symbiosis.
As I sit here, I think this beautiful weather is a harbinger of new beginnings and brighter, happier opportunities to come.
If you've been thinking about it, I encourage you to take the plunge - I highly recommend it ;-)!
A few years ago, during the last financial crisis, our district had a restructuring. I hated the job I was in but was terrified to be transfered to a job I hated more. And at least I loved the people I worked with (maybe loved them too much but that's a different scandal).
Long story short, I was transferred to the job I have now. Which fits me to a T. It couldn't have worked out better. They actually had to create a job for me which wouldn't have happened without the financial crisis.
I sit on interview panels for my current job, and thank God I didn't have to interview for it, because I never would have gotten it. I had to learn everything from scratch.
Why am I telling you what you already know?
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