Solitude

Well the day finally came...my last day of selling commercial printing! Friday was my last day at work. As I drove away and merged onto 52 West the past three years started running through my head- how I ended up selling commerical printing and thankful I landed at Stratton. The drives I used to make to Irvine, sitting in traffic for three hours on Fridays, not getting paid on time, my back and face breaking out because of the stress of it all. I remember thinking...I have a college degree...what am I doing?! Looking back I see God had His hand in it all. If I wouldn't have taken the job in Irvine, I wouldn't have ended up at Stratton where I learned so much about marketing, print, design and most importantly, my passion for publishing.

My boss let me go a week earlier than planned, but surprised me by giving me my paid two week vacation. It was certainly God showing me once again...Hang in there Emily- I will bring good from all of this...keep listening...I will show you the way. So here I am typing a blog on a Tuesday morning at 8 am. All I have planned today is lying by the pool, reading a book- by the way... Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert http://www.amazon.com/ is a perfect read for me at this time. I highly recommend it for any one going through change- having lunch with a friend, and then going to the gym for Cardio Muscle. Yesterday, (my first day not having to go into the office...the first time in four years) driving around Del Mar and La Jolla I noticed all the beautiful things by the ocean- the trees, the way the tide is right on time, the flowers, the fresh sea breeze, the cliffs...I could go on and on...while enjoying all these moments, it hit me...God you are so good! You gave me two weeks of alone time. Time to spend with you in harmony, so you can fully prepare me for what is to come with the move. I am so thankful for this time. I will cherish each day. Thank you for blessing me with the amazing San Diego experience- it has changed me and through it you have changed me. Looking at life through your eyes and not my own.

Stepping Stones

Life's a dance you learn as you go...it is all about one step at a time. This week has been a very trying one. Monday I had to move all my items into storage and leave my lovely ocean view room on Stratford Court. Thankfully I have wonderful friends to stay with through the month to save me from paying rent, but it has been a major adjustment living out of a suit case. I feel so out of place. I didn't work out all week, which is not like me at all. I have been so emotional all my energy was drained. Tuesday I gave my notice at work. My boss took it much harder than I thought she would. The rest of the week was very awkward- I felt at any moment she was going to walk in my office and tell me to leave. Working for a small company you become like family, so things are taken much more personal. I felt like I was breaking up with a boyfriend. Each day got better as we both realized it never would have never been the right time to tell her I was moving back south. I still am unclear as to when my last day will be, but I know it will be in the perfect time. If it is earlier than I had planned I will make the most of it and enjoy more days at the beach. This week I have had a hard time with people not being supportive or encouraging. It reminded me that you have to follow your own dreams and no one else's. I really don't know how much more emotion I could go through in one week. The days are getting fewer to spend with Ted, leaving a job and not knowing what the future holds for the next one, moving stress, and to top it off ...finding the answer to a question you have had for over four years isn't the answer you were hoping for. Two years ago I would have been devastated, but now, thanks to maturity, a stronger relationship with God, and faith I am able to look at it all and be thankful!! I have found the good in it all. I am thankful Ted came into my life and all the wonderful memories we share. Thankful for a new career opportunity where I can use my spiritual gifts and work in an environment that fits what God designed me for. Thankful I will be closer to family and wonderful friends. Thankful I finally have the closure I longed for, for four years! Thankful God is working on me and my future husband. I know His timing is perfect and He will bring it all together at just the right time. Tonight I will make a list of all the things I would like to do and be and have in my life. I am slowly getting there as I learn some big lessons. I ended my week with reading The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall today while sitting by the pool. It is wonderful and I highly recommend reading it for some inspiration. I will leave you a few thoughts from the book.

"In the end, a person is only known by the impact they have on others."

"Problems may only be avoided by exercising good judgement. Good judgement may only be gained by experiencing life's problems."

"Faith is all that dreamers need to see into the future."

"Life at its essence boils down to one day at a time."

TODAY IS THE DAY! Make the most of it.