Rich had just been in a huge accident with his big rig, and with a potential $5 million lawsuit pending against the company and us, his job was uncertain. I was reeling from some bad career decisions, and we needed money—fast. But life happens. Due to a health scare, I was admitted into the hospital for a week.
We thought that was bad. It was. But we couldn’t change it.
It wasn’t the end of the world. It wasn't fun, but I lost a lot of weight. When I got out of the hospital, I focused on my health, and looked forward to getting a better job.
I called in a favor from a friend and went to interview for the position of a Licensed Financial Consultant at a large bank. Severely under qualified, I put on my best face and wore my red and black pinstriped suit from ROSS. Don’t be jealous, but it had a red modesty panel. I felt good, confident, and positive. But, as I was getting out of my car for the interview, the seam ripped, right up the middle of my ass. So, I followed the suits into the interview room, and walked sideways as we said our goodbyes. I got into the elevator and wanted to shoot myself. That was my first sign that this wasn’t going to be good. My next sign happened immediately after the interview when I sat in my car and saw myself in the mirror. My red lipstick had seeped into the laugh lines above and below my lips, making me look like the Joker.
That interview was bad. But I couldn’t change it.
There was no way they should have hired me. But they did. (Probably because I’m super fine.)
It was a new path, far away from the Advertising and Marketing game that I had been in for over a decade. I had a salary, obtainable commissions and financially—it was an easy decision for the family.
A few months later, Rich quit his job and went to work as an apprentice for a heating and air company. He was offered a fraction of what he had been used to making. Although we knew money would be tight, we didn’t feel like we had too many options. Neither of us particularly liked our jobs, but we did what we had to do, including pulling our daughter out of her private school and entering the public school system.
Six weeks into his job, while stepping onto the roof of a 16-foot building, he "lost his balance" (when his jackass coworker let go of the ladder) and fell. He broke his back in two places. Overnight, he was making zero money. Eventually, we fell behind in mortgage.
We thought that was bad. It was. But we couldn’t change it.
We were scared. We were hopeless because we felt helpless. There was nothing we could change or do. He physically couldn’t work. And now, we faced surgery, recovery time, and therapy. And then there were the bills that could care less about our woes.
Panic quickly set in. I hated my job. Like, HATED it. I was also gaining weight again. I loved a couple people I worked with, but banking is NOT FOR ME. No way. No how. But what was I supposed to do? We “needed” money. So, I stayed and did what I thought was right. I provided for the family at a job I hated.
Eight months went by, and Rich was at still home, recovering from surgery and doing physical therapy. I am sure I was a peach to be around. I desperately needed a creative outlet. So, I decided to put an ad on Craigslist for Freelance Copywriting. It’s what I really, REALLY wanted to do in my career.
Within a week, an agency called me and said that a large credit union wanted to hire me as a temporary Copywriter.
It was my dream job—but we needed money.
I knew in my gut, it was my chance to get my foot in the door of professional writing; creative thinking, editing, and I would be doing what I love. It would also get me completely out of sales. But—It was also $15k less per year, no benefits, temp to hire, and at least 40 minutes away from the house. We met, and I left the meeting devastated.
Except for the fact that I would be HAPPY and LOVE my career, I had No business taking that job.
Except for the fact that I would be HAPPY and LOVE my career
I came home and we talked all weekend. At the end of a long weekend, my husband said “You know what? Fuck it. I want my wife happy. This is your dream job—Take it!”
At that moment, we decided to say EFF IT ALL.
We SURRENDERED. Life was throwing us obstacles left and right, and we were sick of dodging them. It was our time to do something that would make us happy, well at least one of us … and so I took the job. And it was rad.
And then …we told the bank to stick it. “No, we won’t send you the paperwork for the third time, get your shit together or we will be happy to leave.” And you know what? The bank refinanced our mortgage and took off $76k of principle.
We stopped trying to change the unchangeable (I don't even know--or care--if that's a real word.)
So for the past 4 years, I have enjoyed my career. And doors opened that I could have never imagined. Yes, we had to make severe financial sacrifices, but we kept our home. And Rich received an education in a career that he was always interested in, but never felt that he had the means to explore. And we went to Maui. And Daisy has had a parent home with her for 5 years of field trips, activities, good and bad days. And..and…and…I say “and” too much…and we had a baby. A healthy BABY.
Slowly, our dreams started coming true when we surrendered and lived for happiness.
Four years ago, I stopped making excuses and decided to be happy. Since then, I've reaped the benefits: Lost weight, vacationed, made new forever friends, renewed old friendships, dropped toxic relationships, said no, said yes, got pregnant, had a baby....and then some.
And through it all, we embraced a newfound appreciation for surrendering. As we let go of material items, we embraced each other more. It changed us. It bonded us. That’s the real stuff.
So now it’s time to follow my heart again. Financially, it makes no sense. But, we’ve been through worse. With the backing of my incredibly generous and supportive hubby, I’m leaving the job that I love to be home with the ones I love more … and to open some other doors.
The Universe doesn’t disappoint.
In the first 48 hours, I’ve received several lucrative opportunities that let me know what I am doing is the right thing for our lives, goals and dreams. I know, for sure, that the best is yet to come.
My heart is overflowing. The outpouring of emails, comments, phone calls and visits reaffirms my decision to do this, and I can't say enough thanks to all my friends and family.
I can’t wait to pick up that microphone and perform more. I can’t wait to spend the days with my baby and make my daughter breakfast and pick her up from school.
