This weekend we have a treat. We have a bonus! We have a Weekend Guest!!! I enjoy giving you someone else’s words to read, someone else’s perspective and path toward Joy. I’m sure you will enjoy this Weekend Guest Post written by Palanda from The Fabulous Dating Misadventures of Poppy J.
“I
Am…”
Annese Brownlow
Peace. I am Joy….I am Love. I am Peace. I am Joy,” I whispered to myself as I
whipped my car into the left turning lane.
through my window shield, signaling the makings of a beautiful, glorious day. I
was happy. Which was ridiculously surprising considering the fact that I’d just
been laid off. It had come as a bit of a shock, especially considering the manner
in which the news was delivered.
to Jeff yet?” he’d asked before I’d even had time to sit down in my office. He being my super-nosy co-worker.
the fact that I just got here,” I
wanted to reply but didn’t. I do have manners, after all.
know, they’re letting some people go today,” he said in a solemn whisper.
what Jeff told you?”
where he got real serious, “I’m staying,
and Noelle’s staying. The rumor is, you’re leaving.”
news of my imminent lay-off delivered in the most insensitive way possible by a
man who wasn’t even my boss.
confirmed by my boss, I got mad. Really mad. How dare they get rid of me! I got
along great with everyone. My productivity was great. And I dressed my butt off! Heck, I was an absolute joy to work with.
leaving. It wasn’t fair. Especially when folks like Mr. Nosy Bottoms were staying.
myself that though the packaging was not quite what I wanted, it was still an
opportunity, a blessing in disguise.
do all the things I’d been complaining about not having time to do. Here was my chance to write, to get my home
organized, to read, to plan my “Eat, Pray, Love” trip to Italy. Here was my
chance to go to plays, hang out at happy hours across town, go shopping in the
middle of the day, and finally try
hot yoga. Here was my chance to take a much-deserved break and actually enjoy
my life.
temptation to worry and stress out about money and finding another job was
there, the reality was I’d been surviving in a crappy economy for years. I’d mastered the art of living
well on a meager budget. And I knew how to save in times of prosperity. Though
my job was ending, I wasn’t destitute and broke. After all, I’d been stocking
away money since I’d been hired, planning for the rainy days that always come
without warning.
and freaking out had never helped me land a job, meet great people, or write
yet another amazing blog post. You know what had? Sitting back and trusting
that God would take care of me no matter what. Laughing and smiling as if I
hadn’t a care in the world. Dancing the night away with friends at a favorite
lounge. Breaking bread with a good friend at a favorite restaurant. Living life
as if I had every single thing I ever needed and wanted. That’s what had gotten
me through my periods of job and/or financial droughts. And that’s what would
get me through this one.
when I do get overwhelmed and anxious, I don’t hesitate to remind myself who I
really am. Job or no job, I am Love.
I am Peace. I am Joy. And happiness is mine for the taking.
Have you ever been laid off? Were you overwhelmed and anxious? What did you do to maintain Joy during that time?
A Southern girl with her head in the clouds, her heart on her sleeve, and her feet firmly planted in sunny LA. Palanda Brownlow is a woman who’s an expert at taking life’s lemons and turning them into cute, little, citrusy cocktails. A woman courageous enough to abandon a life and a job on the West Coast to take a non-paying (non-paying!) internship on the East Coast all in pursuit of her life-long dream of becoming a writer. And a woman bold enough to share the good, the bad, and the highly embarrassing, awkward, yet entertaining tales of her dating life on a blog for all the world to see. You can find her hilarious dating escapades at “The Fabulous Dating Misadventures of Poppy J”. Keep up with Palanda on twitter at @MizPoppyJ.
If you’d like to be a weekend guest email me your post at joychasing@yahoo.com and find additional information on guest posting qualifications here.
I love your outlook!!! That is what I like to call: 'having peace in the midst of the storm." In the grand scheme of life, everything always works out. The very best is yet to come!
that is awesome, many people would have reacted differently, being sad and depressed or even maybe thinking of getting laid off as a setback. It really takes some faith in knowing that God will sort it all out and to trust in his master plan. You went after what you always wanted and that is so great to hear! Good for you!
I wish I had been this evolved when I was laid off 4 years ago. It took me almost 2 years to find another full-time position, and my emotions really ran rampant during that time. Finding and keeping joy was a job in itself. I'm glad your experience was the complete opposite and your courage in sharing it is very inspirational. All the best to you.
I'm with Joyce on this one! However, I love your attitude and positive outlook. Very inspiring!!!
Your co-worker pissed me off. Some people aren't happy unless they're making someone else miserable.
But I'm glad you found a way to turn a negative into a positive. All the best on your job search!
This just touched my heart. By keeping God and the love for yourself in your heart, you will thrive. Being jobless is always temporary, but your happiness can be everlasting. So glad that you realized that and I can't wait to see what career enters your life.
Love your positive outlook on life! When God shuts a door, He always opens another one–perhaps one that leads to your divine destiny!
I have never been laid off, but I did quit a job, stepped out on faith and landed one of the most amazing opportunities in my life! Good uck in all you do!
Palanda,
Your co-worker is a first-class jerk. Fortunately you've risen above this and are on your way to making a better life for yourself. I will also be following your stories.
Cherise,
Wow – love your story. Acting and design you are on your way to a rewarding life. So much better than working at that lousy life-sucking job.
This is an awesome article. I love the fact that you looked at this as a blessing in disguise and move forward. A lot of people would have let the situation swallow them whole and not moved forward. I will be checking out your blog, it sounds like it is an incredible one
I LOVED this post! It is very reflective and I can relate to it so much.
A year ago I was laid off from my job unexpectedly – 4 months after I closed on my first home. At first, with a mortgage and bills to pay it seemed like a scary time. But then I realized that it was actually an opportunity. Last year I started doing a lot of work with myself and reflecting on who I am – trying to discover what I love and what I want to be when I grow up 🙂 (I'm turning 32 this year by the way lol). So, the fact that I was laid off from a job I really had no passion in doing was a blessing in disguise. I got busy with an improv class, and then joined an improv comedy troupe which brought the "performer" back out inside me. I realized I love being on stage and performing so I started taking acting classes, auditioning, and have been a part of a few plays and films.
As a part of the discovery process I tapped back into my creative side, and realized I have so much natural passion and talent for home design – space planning, home organization, crafting, decor, lighting design. A few months ago I took a leap of courage and started my own home design blog (www.ispaci.com) to share my gift with others. One day I hope to bring my two worlds – performing and home design – together by starring in my own TV show. Dream big, or go home, right!? 🙂 All of this is to say that the layoff turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened in my life, and it gave me the time I needed to spend time focusing 100% on myself and my passions.
It hasn't been easy, but I'm thankful for the time I've had, the things I've learned, and the people who have helped me along the way such as these great blogger friends like Chasing Joy and Poppy J. Please keep sharing your stories! You are wonderful!