Starting Over

Today marked my return to the work force.  Many years of hard work, learning, and challenges ended in an unceremonious dismissal from something I was good at and materially very successful 15 months ago.  I have spent the time since trying to answer "why?", find the next logical step, and some major soul searching.  I was able to find some answers and I think it puts me in a great place to take a major step in my life.  It is true what they say- you learn the most from your challenges in life and here are a few observations I had along the way:

Enjoy the Journey.  Many of us- especially me- have been so concerned about the outcomes, the titles, the success...the eye has always been on the prize.  I have found that there is nothing wrong with having goals, but the focus should be on the process and enjoying each step along the way.  You never get it back, it will never be the same, and when you are finished it will feel very hollow because you are already thinking about the next goal.  

It Happens For a Reason.  I was caught in a storm and I never knew it while I was in it.  It was literally raining all over me and I thought I wasn't getting wet.  If I were able to slow down I would have seen that I was becoming something that I swore I wouldn't- a life defined by career and surrounded by bad people (with bad intentions) .  The fateful call in August was a savior. It sure did not seem positive at the time and it has been a challenging year, but I now realize I needed to dry off and find the sunshine.

Dependency is crippling.  .  My life, economics, happiness, and family became dependent and victims of corporate games and the blame lies with me.  No one should rely on a job, a company, or anyone else for happiness.  Balance may be elusive, but always being able to take the pulse of your flow is a necessity.  If you don't define it, someone else will.

Some Friends have an "end" in them.  There will certainly be more in a future post about "pruning" but this was one of the most challenging lessons.  My core was built around family and friends and the reality is that not everyone shares the passion for these most important relationships.  It is critical to not fall asleep on this one and understand that many will drive their goals and dreams through very superficial and fictitious relationships.  More than once I felt like a "pawn" on a great game being played.

I embark with wisdom.  I am better for having gone though it all.  I feel like I am back at the start of my career- having to prove myself all over again and create success.  Success for me will look very different this time around.

MDM