My home office. Also known as my writing nest. In October of 2014, I wrote the title to this piece and saved it as a draft, forgetting about it until I discovered it recently — more than four years later.
It seems a serendipitous discovery, as I am currently making a bold move and finally facing my fear. Instead of "playing it safe," I've opted to take a buyout from my longtime employer and take myself out into the big beautiful world and find a new job.
For years I've lived with the fear of being laid off, and when faced with the decision recently of whether to stay or go, I was frozen with fear. I came to the freeing conclusion that living a life ruled by fear is no way to live. To be sure, there have been moments during this process when I have felt more fearful than fearless. But having taken my future into my own hands, I now feel strangely empowered.
While searching for answers and inspiration recently, I saw a quote that resonated with me:
It seems a serendipitous discovery, as I am currently making a bold move and finally facing my fear. Instead of "playing it safe," I've opted to take a buyout from my longtime employer and take myself out into the big beautiful world and find a new job.
For years I've lived with the fear of being laid off, and when faced with the decision recently of whether to stay or go, I was frozen with fear. I came to the freeing conclusion that living a life ruled by fear is no way to live. To be sure, there have been moments during this process when I have felt more fearful than fearless. But having taken my future into my own hands, I now feel strangely empowered.
While searching for answers and inspiration recently, I saw a quote that resonated with me:
Leap, and the net will appear.
One of my early posts on this blog was about leaping. That was in 2011. I guess I'm still learning the lesson that I was trying to teach. No doubt, I was speaking to myself as much as my audience. And now, I'm leaping — for real. For now, I plan to sail through whatever life brings as I search for my net.
Along the way, I'm spending time doing the things I love: writing, painting, reading. I'm filling my life with beauty and art, and filling my mind with positive material (uplifting podcasts and books). I'm taking time to smell the roses — or tulips — while I endeavor to paint them.
Along the way, I'm spending time doing the things I love: writing, painting, reading. I'm filling my life with beauty and art, and filling my mind with positive material (uplifting podcasts and books). I'm taking time to smell the roses — or tulips — while I endeavor to paint them.
Spend time doing what you love: write, paint, create. It's good for the soul. I've created a small and appealing space in my home where I can work on writing and other things to keep myself busy. (Note the fresh flowers on my desk in the photo above. Sometimes the little things can make all the difference in your attitude.) Coming to this space every day gives me something to look forward to. And the view is nice too.
Here's to leaping and finding the best that life has to offer. May our respective searches prove fruitful. I, for one, am feeling confident.
UPDATE: As I prepare to publish this post, I'm excited to announce that during my one-month sabbatical from the work world, I got a new job. On March 7th, I began a new journey with a local nonprofit that is dedicated to work I am passionate about. It looks like I found my net.
What about you? Is there something you've been afraid to do? Have you taken steps to overcome a fear? How are you feeling about it? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Here's to leaping and finding the best that life has to offer. May our respective searches prove fruitful. I, for one, am feeling confident.
UPDATE: As I prepare to publish this post, I'm excited to announce that during my one-month sabbatical from the work world, I got a new job. On March 7th, I began a new journey with a local nonprofit that is dedicated to work I am passionate about. It looks like I found my net.
What about you? Is there something you've been afraid to do? Have you taken steps to overcome a fear? How are you feeling about it? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
