Recently, I got together with several former co-workers for a night of drinks and appetizers. It was great to see them and to catch up on the current events of our lives. We also talked a lot about the place where we used to work and were unanimous in our sentiments: that time and that place had been a wonderful, magical time in our lives because we had bonded so strongly, not only on a personal level, but in terms of our dedication and commitment to carrying out the mission of educating college students, many of whom were inner-city, first-generation.
I loved that place and was devastated when I was let go due to a reorganization. It clearly wasn't my choice, and I was upset that I was being forced to move on. The others had similar stories. No one had wanted to leave but had been forced to move on for various reasons. But they all lived to tell the story and had all moved onto positions that were a step up in their careers and professional development.
When we lose a job, a friend, a relationship, or encounter some other life circumstance that upsets our status quo, the life that we had been accustomed to, our world gets shaken off its foundation. We can't help feeling devastated, but after the initial grieving phase, we will be forced to move on and in most cases, the move is for the better. Oftentimes, people reflect on these life disruptions and say things like, "It was a blessing in disguise," or "everything turned out for the best."
I call these times, "nudges from the universe," because they spur us along on our journey and propel us to take action that we wouldn't have otherwise. In my case, I would never have left my old job because I loved it, the place and the people so much. But because of that nudge, I was forced to look for another job and ended up at a university which has enabled my career to flourish. So when your world gets rocked, try to think of it as the universe's way of moving you in the direction you're supposed to go.
I loved that place and was devastated when I was let go due to a reorganization. It clearly wasn't my choice, and I was upset that I was being forced to move on. The others had similar stories. No one had wanted to leave but had been forced to move on for various reasons. But they all lived to tell the story and had all moved onto positions that were a step up in their careers and professional development.
When we lose a job, a friend, a relationship, or encounter some other life circumstance that upsets our status quo, the life that we had been accustomed to, our world gets shaken off its foundation. We can't help feeling devastated, but after the initial grieving phase, we will be forced to move on and in most cases, the move is for the better. Oftentimes, people reflect on these life disruptions and say things like, "It was a blessing in disguise," or "everything turned out for the best."
Great Post Deb! I agree when one door closes another one opens. I always think like that. It is hard for some people to accept that in the beginning. I will share a recent story, my mother in law was with a job for ten years of an admin/supervisory job that she "kinda" loved. She had been told about three months in advance they were eliminating her position. Lots of tears and emotions etc...getting older harder to find the same type of job. I had always told her she should start her own baked goods website. She loves to bake, always, every function she brought all the goodies. So, last week she calls me and says "okay how do I do this"???? I am so happy for her to start doing what she loves. Keep you updated on her progress : )
ReplyDeleteOctober 14, 2012 10:21 AM
Wow! That's a great story, Dawne. I hope things go well for her. I was also thinking that being sick this weekend has been a blessing in disguise. I got to fill out my application to teach in China, write in this blog again and just regroup in general as opposed to going at my non-stop pace.
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