Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Transitions

Flowers for sale at the Rialto Market in Venice
How many times in life do you experience a significant change? Marriage, the birth of a child, loss, divorce, sorrow - all these events are monumental. They cause individual people to truly change who they feel they are. Now you're a wife, a mother, a widow, a single person.

A minor change like losing your job shouldn't really make that much of a difference in your basic self.

And so it is. I've just learned this morning that I've lost my job.

Oh, wait. That's really not fair. That's over-dramatizing things. To be accurate - this morning I was officially told what I've been expecting for a while.

A loss of funding has changed the future of my organization, so that our operation will cease at the end of the current budget year, eliminating the jobs of all the current employees. Even if funding were to be restored, it wouldn't happen in time to justify the expense of keeping everyone on payroll.

My job is pretty cushy, pays well, and doesn't involve too much hard work. And, human nature being what it is, I bitched about it a lot.  I often wondered what else I could do with my time that would be more enjoyable, but of course, I never bothered to figure that out.

So now I will just have to do that.

It's an opportunity, don't you think?

Which of life's transitions have become transformations for you?

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18 comments:

  1. smalltownmeAugust 8, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    Seize this chance to move in a new direction. I like taking advantage of my layoffs...sometimes they come at a perfect time in life. 12 or so years ago, I took advantage of one to become a SAHM and it was the best decision I ever made. The last layoff made me enjoy what I call my temp-to-perm retirement.

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  2. Susan BAugust 8, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    Gah, I'm sorry about that but hope that the universe will put something else wonderful and fulfilling in your path.

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  3. Karen (formerly kcinnova)August 8, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    You already know that I think you are a fabulous travel and food writer. I'd say that now is the time to take that plunge and get paid for it!

    My husband's retirement has definitely been a time of transformation... I just haven't quite figured out yet what it will look like when we finish acclimating to the reduced income and being together much of the time.

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  4. scoutAugust 8, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Does this mean the Civic Auditorium is closing?

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  5. GlennisAugust 8, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    Scout - it means that the closure will be longer than expected with uncertain re-opening, with uncertain funding. The powers that be have decided there's no need to carry over a staff on payroll while they're figuring this out.

    I agree with it intellectually - it's tough to be personally affected by it.

    Go to the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, or watch it on CityTV or listen on KCRW.

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  6. TiffanyAugust 9, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Wishing you all the best with this transition. We all know change is never easy, but it can be good. I have to second Karen's comment, you are a fabulous food and travel writer, as well as being a great promoter of the hidden LA and the surrounding area. Now would be a great time to turn that into an opportunity.

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  7. Jen on the EdgeAugust 9, 2012 at 5:11 AM

    I'm really sorry that you're losing your job. Like SmallTownMe, I think this is a great opportunity and I hope you'll seize it. In the past seven years, I've had two major job changes that led to me changing directions and trying something new.

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  8. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©August 9, 2012 at 6:32 AM

    Sorry to hear this, Aunt Snow.

    Best wishes to you!
    ~

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  9. Gary's third pottery blogAugust 9, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    oh good golly, well, what else can you do, I s'pose, but try to see it as an opportunity indeed

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  10. materfamiliasAugust 9, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    I'm sorry to hear this, but I have to congratulate/compliment you on your great attitude. May you continue to feel strong and to find support as you investigate and pursue the opportunities that this change brings.

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  11. AnonymousAugust 9, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    Sorry to hear this. I too agree with Karen. Take the step to become a food and travel writer.
    I had stage 3 Cancer fifteen years ago. Yes it was a life changing experience, I had no control which really freaked me out. After a year of chemo, I survived. I went through a time when I wondered why I lived and others didn't. I never stopped wondering about that, but I learned to just accept it.
    I wake up each day grateful for the day. I make a choice to be happy, right where I am and to embrace whatever the day has in store for me. I learned to give up control, I never had it anyway. I am truely a better person and much happier.
    Don't worry, you will find your way. ALBUG

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  12. UnknownAugust 9, 2012 at 7:48 AM

    It happened to me in March and it shook me. Truly.
    Thankfully God provided another opportunity and everything has turned out just fine.
    It is scary though. Definitely a life event not to be overlooked.

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  13. AnonymousAugust 9, 2012 at 9:19 AM

    I feel your pain.

    I am an accountant and this has happened to me two times - once in 2008 - I was out over 1 year....Happened again in April - both times - corporate restructure - pain to be in middle management - still out there looking....I am not having fun at this point....

    I wish you much luck...

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  14. JanetAugust 9, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    I like what Karen and Tiffany said...very true! And I can relate to what Albug said :-) Good luck on your next phase, Aunt Snow!

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  15. AnonymousAugust 9, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    You are smart enough to know this is an opportunity. I am scared out of my wits at the work change happening in my life but luck has always been on my side when I made monumental and crazy changes, so I hope she sticks around a bit longer. And do you know what people are saying since I gave notice at my corporate job? You look so good! Didn't even have to pay a surgeon. Go get them girl!

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  16. ilyannaAugust 9, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Oh, Aunt Snow, I'm so sorry. I know you've struggled and put a LOT of yourself into this job. I'm sure you'll come out smelling like roses, but please don't be ashamed to mourn.

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  17. GillyAugust 10, 2012 at 2:04 AM

    Oh, I'm really sorry about you losing your job. It sounded a really good one! But as you say it is an opportunity to go forward. Or something. You just have to keep reminding yourself of that!

    My husband's retirement meant a huge change, having him around all the time, but an even bigger change was when we gave up having two cars (I gave mine to my daughter, who has now passed it on to my grandson). Now I feel the car is HIS car, and he has first call on it. its not true, its OURS. But HE still thinks he has first call on it.

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  18. Claudia from Idiot's KitchenAugust 10, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    I second (third, fourth) everyone here who suggests travel/food writing as a future endeavor for you. I have several friends in LA and have never had even the slightest desire to go visit until I started visiting your blog. You certainly could make a whole career out of an insider's view of cool LA sites. Best of luck with your new change/adventure!

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