Most folks didn't understand. They still don't.
Comments like 'I don't understand her motive', 'She must have something lined up - why else would you leave a job with nothing to go to?' and 'So many people are being made redundant, it's probably not the best time to just give up her job!' started circulating. In fact, one woman told me 'she feared for me' when I told her I was moving on. A little extreme I thought, however I should clarify that it may have something to do with the fact that (hand on heart) I did not have a single clue about what I was going to do next. I simply knew it was time to go.
I can appreciate how many would view this as bat shit crazy but people, there are some things that only the individual understands. Like Julia Roberts with Lyle Lovett or combining ice cream and salted potato chips - people have their reasons for making the decisions they make and it's not for anyone else to tell them it ain't right.
Needless to say things have worked out well. Phew. I've got an enjoyable part time gig to pay the bills and I have more time to spend on the thing I deem of paramount importance for me. Say it with me now...James Brown style.
UH! Ahh! Ba-da-ba-ba-ba-ba...Cre-a-ti-vi-ty. Owww!
Hooray for more time to write stories, listen to other's stories, take photos, play, give thanks, move my body, spend time with people I know and care about, meet new people, visualise and realise my very own little production. Hooray indeed.
And I'll tell you something else. It's fascinating to me how when one becomes creative in one aspect of life, the doors open to applying the thinking to other unexpected aspects. For me, this now includes the (dreary or I'll leave that for later) subject of finances.
Today I met with my go-to guy when it comes to financial advice. He's a good egg. When it comes to finances, he's got the moves, I've got the motion. And you guessed it, now that we're together we'll be causing a personal economic commotion. BOOM.
I'm seeing him because A) now that I'm earning less, it's a perfect time to get creative with my money and B) I don't want to wind up like so many people I know who have worked their entire lives and have nothing to show for it. Or worse, reach retirement and are in debt. Ouch. And the thing is, it's not uncommon. I listened, eyes wide and mouth agasp at the tale of the fellow who has for the past 10 years earned $300,000 per annum (that's $3miiiilllllion dollars people) and is currently carrying a $40,000 credit card debt and does not own basic shelter. No judgement but sheesh, that ain't for me.
So, we (me and the egg) are formulating a plan to help me do just that - create financial freedom so I may to continue my creative journey and roam the corners of the earth, collaborating with other creative individuals, positively impacting others and this planet and living a life extraordinary.
Today's discussions revolved around risk and the share market. He rattled off a series of questions to gain insight and establish if I am an aggressive risk taker in order to gain the highest return or more conservative in my thinking when it comes to the mighty dollar. FYI - I err on the side of 'balls out - let's get this show on the road'.
With that out of the way and my money personality a little clearer, we discussed some investment strategy. He threw some hypotheticals at me such as 'if you had this much and share prices dropped meaning you'd be down that much - how would you handle it?'
I'll be honest, he almost lost me at this point (I told you, it can get dreary for me so I have a small window of concentration for these matters) but then he hit me with some insight into contrarian thinking. Have you heard of this? It's when one acts upon things in a fearless manner when all around them are being fearful. This jolted me back.
As I waved him farewell and started the car, it dawned on me that I have applied a contrarian approach to my life. I've taken what is deemed by many as crazy action in times of uncertainty and global financial disarray. I've backed myself with no goal or purpose other than to write, to live truthfully and to be a positively driven power source. I've been fearless when all around me have been fearful. And I can tell you this - it's been one of the best times of my life.
Sure there are times I am doubtful and yes, I have to work hard at reminding myself that my ego is not the boss of me. In fact, i've realised that no one and no thing is the boss of me. And it feels good.
And for those who worried or thought I'd lost my way, take a look at these words from J.R.R Tolkien and know them to be true...for me anyway.
Loving you, loving me...TLT x
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