Downsized and loving it!

[rainman_16]

Well I got the axe a couple days ago due to corporate restructuring, yadda yadda and truth be told, I'm quite happy about it. I now have so many opportunities before me:

- take some much needed time off to rest and reflect and start planning a trip south - Cuba perhaps for some nice cigars
- determine what my next career move will be... do I stay in the industry or do I strike out on my own pursuing a business opportunity of my own making?
- catch up with friends and family
- finish the prepping of my car so I can run a full race season next year

It's amazing how many people from the industry have contacted me over the last couple days (colleagues, clients and competitors) to lend their support and wish me luck. Certainly makes me feel more at ease about getting back into the business if I decide to.

Anyway my wife and I went out to dinner tonight to celebrate our wedding anniversary and over apps she was telling me about a homeless man that she sees frequently outside her office building that she recently befriended. It got me thinking about how incredibly blessed we are and how I need to take advantage of some of my new found spare time to volunteer at the local food bank. I always feel as if I get more out of volunteering than the organization does... especially since they feed us great lunchs

Perhaps I've been riding a delirious high for the last couple days but I'm telling ya, I'm really excited about the future. I feel like I've been set free to pursue new opportunities that weren't possible just last week.

Life is great!!!

[marshallr47]

Alec, sorry to hear about the job. Way to keep your chin up with the positive attitude. Enjoy your free time. I'm sure you'll find something soon. Best of luck.

[Gagebuilder]

I know how you feel. I was laid off for 14 weeks this summer. Everyone at work is always worried about being cut, but the recharge was great for me and I found 3 or 4 things I could be doing, and still making money, if I do get cut. I concluded I will be just fine. Good luck in discovering your future!

[Art 1]

Sorry to hear, good luck.

[illuminatus]

Alec, if I may,

Your attitude is what is needed in todays climate ...

I remember when it first happened to me ...I was in the worst possible situation

Twins on the way ... new mortgage etc. etc.

Anyway, I remember my friend, with an intense look tellling me

"Congratulations"

Now you will get on with what you REALLY want to do ... and 20 years on I am "Happy as Larry" ...

All the very best to you and yours for the future ...

[brietlingman]

Interesting what we are conditioned to believe ... it's a bit disconcerting that you're happy, excited even, about being laid-off. We are taught to believe that when that happens, it's a bad thing indeed.

Congrats to you on this new beginning. Make the most of it (sounds like you're on that path already), and enjoy the time. We are not here to work our entire lives .....

Cheers!
Bill

[Prince]

Congratulations, Alec. Life renews itself again!

[iSellJerseyShore]

AWESOME way of thinking you have about you! With a positive attitude like that you are sure to survive just about anything!



-Frankie

[JF23]

As the other posters stated, way to keep your chin up. With that attitude you've already won.

[rainman_16]

Thanks everyone for the positive words! I was speaking to an ex-colleague today and she was telling me that there's probably more cuts to come. Not surprising since this has been going on throughout the company for the last 18 months. I feel for those that are left worrying if they're next and when the next cuts will be made. I know that many people there are drained from the ongoing stress of wondering what tomorrow brings or even if the company will be declaring bankruptcy protection, etc.

[Brushpup]

Enjoy your time off......take it from experience. You'll be amazed how nice it is.

Good luck Pal..

[Deep Sea]

Fantastic outlook! With your attitude toward life, surely good things will be coming your way shortly.

Enjoy your time away from the daily grind.

[East Bay Rider]

Good luck. Make the most of your time off so that when you get back in you'll hit the ground running.

[mustangbrad]

Sorry to hear. Sadly, I never got a career going. I am just a pt low paid worker. Under poverty level. Bless our great govt. And all their wasted ways.

[keschete]

Hopefully you will end up right where you "need" to be, not just where you "think" you should be. You have a great chance to make some life altering changes! Good luck!

[isolator]

Great way of keeping things in perspective.

[RogerF]

Good stuff



I just quit my old job which was hell and even worse due to the owner not knowing anything about management. I had an attitude like yours and within days had someone approach me wanting me to manage some projects for his company.



Its said over and over again, but it couldnt be more true. Things have a way of working themselves out.

[R1@160@alltimes]

Great attitude....all the best in the near future to you

[deserted]

Great attitude to have , good luck and enjoy some much needed rest.

[walds11]

Great attitude, but don't keep you eye off the ball.

[ob1]

Best of luck to you Alec. Doing some charity work and spending time with your family will enrich your soul far more than money ever will. Enjoy the good things in life

Mark

[Rolexophile]

Best of luck. Make the best of your time off, with your insights and good will there is little doubt you will back in the grind. Best wishes.

[Skullring]

With a great attitude like that you will be fine. You have a whole world of opportunities open to you. Let us know how it works out I am sure it will be for the better.

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by rainman_16

Life is great!!!

One of my fellow deacons got laid-off, also.

He's following his dream of having an eBay empire and is only about $1,500 shy of having his monthly needs met! (Taking in 3-4 thousand per month, already!)

Follow your dream!

Every journey starts with one step.

[looking to buy]

Every time something "bad" happened to me in my life, something "good" always has come of it. From being laid off to divorce. The end result has always been better. So, hang in there. The end result will be much better than you every anticipated.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by mustangbrad

Sorry to hear. Sadly, I never got a career going. I am just a pt low paid worker. Under poverty level. Bless our great govt. And all their wasted ways.

Learn the lesson. The government ain't here to help you. Make your own success and all will be fine.

[theloxmyth]

Seems to fit well here, so here it is. (Cut & Paste)

~ I made it bigger, for us old guys! ~

Written By Refgina Brett, 90 years old, of The
Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled
over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God
never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is
up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no
for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years,
will this matter?".

26. Always choose life.

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business...

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

32. Believe in miracles.

33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did
or didn't do.

34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

36. Your children get only one childhood.

37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd
grab ours back.

40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

41. The best is yet to come.

42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

43. Yield.

44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.