March 29, 2010

A Valuable Life Lesson


It's been almost a full month since I was laid off from my very first job. While I at the time viewed it as the worst thing that could possibly have ever happened to me, I now see it as a blessing and I have never been happier than I am right now.
I defined myself by my job. I found satisfaction in the fact that I worked for a good company and that my job sounded impressive (even if it really wasn't). I would complain about the hours, the pay, the stupid rules, the dresscode and some of the corporate attitudes that surrounded me each and everyday yet I still would wake up each morning and go to work with a smile on my face content that I simply had a job.
Since leaving, I feel like I have learned more about myself every single day...
I've learned that my job does not define who I am. I am defined by my actions, the things I choose to believe in and the way I feel about myself.
I've learned that I am a strong person. That I have motivation and determination, and I am more than what I was doing. I've truly come full circle and i'm happier for it than I have ever been before.
I've learned that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I can get great interviews with people in the industry, I can motivate myself to get to the gym and make changes in my life.
I've learned that exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make you happy!
I've learned that there is nothing better than sunning myself on the deck while my dogs prance around the yard and I have a cool beverage in hand.
I've learned that you can never be sad when you have a beautiful day in front of you with endless opportunities.
I've learned that life is too short for wait for tomorrow. While I was at my old job I would tell myself that it was good for the moment. That I at least liked the people I worked with, and it would be fine for the next few years to stay and work hard while I worked toward my degree. I now know that I would have been stuck there for years, unhappy, as many people much younger than me were snapping up the jobs that I would have loved to do.
I've learned that there is always time in the day for a snuggle.
I've learned to love myself. Sure I have flaws, but never in my life have I truly enjoyed every moment of my day from waking up in the morning, exploring career opportunities that I could do, having a breakfast while catching up on my email, opening up the front door and letting the sunshine fill the room, heading out to the gym and sweating away my worries while I run through mu future in my head.

I think that life throws you unexpected curveballs and it is up to you what you choose to do with them. You can wallow and be in pain wishing for what used to be, or you can dust yourself off, step outside, and throw it right back!

I hope everyone is having an amazing day, and living life the way you want to. Don't settle just because of the security...step outside, take a chance and look at the possibilities!

Jenni

16 comments:

Alison Kinsey said...

I found your blog via the lovely Mara at m loves m! :) I love this post, it was inspirational! It sounds like you are well on your way to achieving whatever it is you want. Sometimes getting laid off can be a complete blessing in disguise.

Kristen said...

So wise... and so right. Life is lived best when we just let it happen, I think... and take the things it throws at us as amazing opportunities to grow and learn.

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Great post! Such fantastic points made here, well done girl! AND just so you know I get married 1 day short of a whole month before you :) Wha hoo!! We are gunna be such pretty brides!! xx

TracyZLesh @ Then I Got To Thinking said...

It's always hard to see the good in anything right at the time of something bad happening... but glad you are being positive. And you are definitely right, your job doesnt define you! :)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I needed a dose of positivity like this today. Thanks lady!

Micaela said...

amen!!!! cheers to these beautiful self empowering realizations!

and to a girl who can make glasses beautiful! xo

little luxury list said...

So true! Complacency is such a hard thing to shake off and perceived instability one of the hardest to accept. But oh the possibilities when things are shaken up!

Unknown said...

good for you for taking so many life lessons out of one misfortune! truly an admirable stance :)

Unknown said...

Warm fuzzies all about this today. Holler! You have such good spirit. Loves it!

Summer Athena said...

i love you. i do.

Corinne said...

thanks for the great post! I will be sure to come back to this when I'm feeling down.

E said...

Isn't it so nice when you can take a break from the rat race? Really, paychecks are fantastic, but that feeling that comes with job-endlessness is so heavy. I'm glad you're learning from this experience :)

bananas. said...

those are some good lessons learned. you sound happy and that makes me happy.

endorphins :)

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

Wonderful post! I love your positive energy and attitude about everything!

Anonymous said...

Everything happens for a reason, right. I am so happy for you girlie. So happy where you are right now. Keep that motivation motor running.

ox

Belen said...

I've definitely learned to love myself too and love all my little flaws. Which include flaws in my personality, as well as physically. That's one of the reasons why we fall in love right or one of the reasons why we have best friends, right? They're there to fill in those missing pieces. :) ♥