What valuable lessons I learned through this whole experience! I had the opportunity to examine my true awareness (or lack thereof!) of the impermanence of life, to look at how I had identified myself with my accomplishments and roles as somehow defining who I was and how I had used my job to feed my unconscious need to be 'special' or valuable, to sit with the fear of not knowing where I'd find a new income, to practice trust and faith that good would arise out of the rubble, and to stay present to the pain of loss. The spiritual gifts I received were priceless and became available for the taking only when I consciously chose not to resist outside events that I couldn't change, and instead chose to accept that I am not the ultimate 'doer' of my life--that there is a Supreme Intelligence molding and refining my life to provide optimal learning and growth--by jumping into the 'flow'. pam at this link
One thing that helps me deal with transition is that I was somewhat prepared for its arrival. I knew about the troubles with the magazine business. I knew about the poor management decisions made by our CEO's and Board. I accepted the risks that I was taking by remaining in my job.
Getting fired always hurts, and our human nature is to feel victimized. Like you, Michael, I was treated with respect and fairness. Whatever the circumstance of losing a job, we must see beyond that victimization, otherwise we get bound to it like a huge rock. Staring that rock in the face through meditation or reflection each day helps lighten that load into a manageable weight, a stone that we can carry, wonder about, pull along. We must see the humor in that stone, the opportunity. We must pay attention and move along.
Thank you. Tom (at this link)
