On My Way...

Welcome to the new blog!  For those of you who don’t know me, or who don’t know what has been going on in my life over the last few months, I’ll give you a quick update.  My life has changed drastically in the past 5 months.  In early October, 2012, I lost my job of 13+ years.  Actually, I don’t really like that phrase.  It makes it sound as if I just misplaced my job and that perhaps I will find it again.  That isn’t the case.  I was fired.  Sacked.  Terminated.  I could write a book about why, and maybe someday I will, but that isn’t the purpose of this blog. 

Needless to say, I was devastated.  It’s bad enough to get the boot from any job, but I really loved my job.  While I had friends that hated going to work and complained endlessly about it, I relished going to work each day.  I enjoyed every second of it.  I loved what I was doing.  I loved my coworkers…and still do.  I was a believer.  I was invested.  It was the focus of my life.

I had never been fired from a job before.  It was humiliating and humbling in a way I’ve never experienced.  I spent months in frustrating agony trying to figure out what to do next.  I sent out dozens and dozens of resumes, to no avail.  I was miserable.  I was at my wits end. 

And then I realized something.  One of the benefits of losing everything is that you have nothing left to lose.  It’s very empowering.  It’s freeing!  I began to think about what I really wanted to do with my life.  Suddenly, I could go after my dreams without risking anything.  Every bit of security I’d built up was already gone.  What did I have to lose?  I decided to live my dreams.  To live bold.

Now, to be fair, a few of the ships on which I placed my dreams have sailed.  I’m 48 years old and on the chubby side, so dancing on Broadway is probably out.  But other dreams are attainable.  Writing has always been my passion.  So, I applied to an MFA program in creative writing and got accepted.  I was thrilled!  I start at the end of May and I can’t wait to begin.

Another dream I’ve had for my entire life is to travel.  I’ve always wanted to just pack a backpack and take off for Europe.  It’s one of those things kids do just before or just after college.  But, it’s something I never had the means or opportunity to do.  Still, the yearning for it had never left me.  A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Paris.  It was a dream come true, but only left me wanting more.  Why not now?  I don’t have a job and school doesn’t start for another couple of months. 

So, I’m writing this first blog from seat 32B on an Aer Lingus flight to Ireland.  Any minute now, this big Airbus will back away from the terminal and take off across the Atlantic.  My backpack is in the compartment above my head, and I’m off on a big adventure.  If you’re interested, come along with me through this blog.  I’m living bold!