Losing My Job...

[Sheila Murrey]

Oh am I so reminded of that REM song right now, "Losing My Religion"... as I sit here and right this I have so much to be grateful for! In fact, I am in such a state of gratitude that I'm even grateful to be losing my job in less than three weeks.

Yes, you read that correctly. I've been employed (full-time) for four years as a Programmer Analyst (Database Systems) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. And I was informed this morning that I will not be picked up on the new contract which begins Oct. 1st, 2008. My current employer performed work under the Joint Base Operations Contract for NASA and Sept. 30, 2008 the JBOSC ends. Because NASA split the work under several smaller contracts we'd been told for months that though our company would layoff, most if not all, would be rehired the next day with follow on companies. The company I work for will cease to exist Sept. 30th. While I have applied, along with many of my coworkers, to all of the incoming contractors I've yet to receive an offer.

Today we were told the main incoming contractor whom many in my office were supposed to be picked up by did not have the funding for many of us. I'm sure this comes as bad news to most. I understand that. Just a few months ago I would have been devastated at learning I'd be cut.

However, I've been on such a trek of positive stuff lately, self approval, self acceptance, knowing my worth, knowing my purpose, healing, spiritual growth, and the list goes on and on... that when my boss gave me the news, well, I smiled and she probably wondered what was wrong with me! LOL Many of my friends/coworkers there also commented to me that I was so happy after the news, that I was glowing! Now that's really a sign of growth to me!

I say this so that you will understand one thing. It is only our RESPONSE to seemingly bad news that is the determining factor as to what happens NEXT.

Ram Giri (on CLS and a CLP partner/member) as well as the work of Byron Katie, the writings of Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, T. Harv Eker, Gary Craig, Neale Donald Walsch, Rhonda Byrne, Betty Eadie, Louise Hay, Tony Robbins, Daniel Odier, Walter Starcke, all of the inspired writers of the Bible and Book of Mormon, and many, many others have taught and inspired me over the recent months, some I've read for years, to not take myself so seriously (which I so do) and all the good stuff that I'm still putting some of it into practice. I read it, then I read it again, and some of the works that resonate with me, I study. I've appreciated all of it because I've always believed I was more than my job (more than a mom, wife, friend, daughter, student, teacher, writer, etc too) and part of God - whether that be child of God, part or piece of God, or whether God lived inside of me (no duality). At any rate, I'm important, I matter, and so do you! I'm at a place now where I believe God lives either in or along with our experiences.

So all of our experiences matter. I believe my friends/mentors and partners have all mattered. That everything happens for a reason. I may never know or want to know the reasons but there's a reason. There's no judgment - no good, no bad. No mistakes.

I believe you're making an impact even when it seems no one is listening. We all watch, we all listen. It just may not be the right time for something to happen. It's time for me to move on and stretch my wings and do something else. That's all. So, I'm happy, relieved, excited, joyful, and at peace with my job coming to an end. I am sooo looking forward to what is coming!

I am learning everyday and everyday I also "get it" all a bit more. Timing is sooo important. And then conversely time is only a concept.

When the "bad news" came the timing couldn't have been more perfect! God/Universe timed it so that A) I'd already learned my husband (also on that same contract) was safe from the layoff - and B) I enjoyed and truly felt such a connection beautiful and wonderful folks of the Conscious Living Partnership I'd recently met.

I have been free to explore other possibilities, challenges, and adventures since Oct. 1, 2008. And I must say it's been fun and interesting! I've been able to challenge myself by doing some contract work from home, design some custom logos, update some websites, interview for a variety of full-time work - even including flying to Atlanta GA! I've been able to learn some new skills, understand some different paradigms, and get into a healthy exercise regime, both physically and mentally.

Every challenge truly is an opportunity for growth and character building. :)

I am visualizing my perfect life!

[Sheila Murrey]

I've recently had the opportunity to work with Sherri Frost (of Pro Power Now - http://www.propowernow.com) in regards to business coaching and it's offered me even more freedom to explore some avenues I'd not thought of before. I even garnered tips from Sherri to help my son with his painting/handyman business! I couldn't be more pleased with Sherri's upbeat coaching and highly recommend her. :)

[Shannon Burnett]

HUGS!!!

[Sheila Murrey]

Sure Ros thank you. Yes I build websites. We'll chat for sure. :)

[Rosalind Lanthorne]

Shelia - I am thinkning about updating the website - don't you do websites? Let's talk on Saturday - I would like to get your input and suggestions.

[Sheila Murrey]

Oh Ros, thank you sooo much for your post and thank you, thank you, thank you for your words of experience and wisdom!

I have been working through this experience, doing many things, being still, doing more yoga and house cleaning, reading Ram Giri's posts, watching Byron Katie video's and doing "the work", also working through Louise Hay's book "You Can Heal Your Life". I feel as though I have been getting to this point where I am now, for years, ramping up faster and faster the last six months - if this makes sense - to get to the point where I could apply the principles I've been learning now - just when I need them most.

I am definitely open to where God / the Universe leads me and yes, I have been one of the few in my office who's really been at peace with this change. That's why I wrote "Losing my Job" because I wondered if I was almost too happy that it's ending! :)

Just today in fact, I received a call from a life coach from the Jack Canfield organization and I believe I could do something like that in my future - not sure what all steps I'd have to take to be able to do something like that, be a life coach, but wow, talking with this gentleman today I could "see myself" being that voice on the other end of the phone. So while I do not know where or what job I'll be doing come Oct. 1, I embrace the change.

I'm not sitting eating bon-bons waiting for God / the Universe to hand me something but I am doing all I can do and allowing God / the Universe to lead me.

And yes I am looking so forward to meeting you in person at Melody's! I'm so glad to meet you here on the space though first - awesome!!!

p.s. I love your website, especially how you explain Harmony, Balance, and Order in our homes. Fantastic!

[Rosalind Lanthorne]

Hello Sheila -

I am on CLP space also. I have been where you are 5 years ago, although I choose to take the lay off and see where the Universe leads me. I have to say it was not at all where I expected, but has opened a whole new business to me, and I am fine. I have met and befriended so many great people along the way. I am sure that you are going to be just fine, and allow spirit to lead you.

I will meet you this weekend at our mutual friend's new home - Melody!

[Sheila Murrey]

I would like others to join me on LinkedIn.com

You can view my profile here:

http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=11581357&trk=tab_pro

And then click the button to join if you're not already a free member. If you are then please link up with me! The more the merrier!

love,
Sheila

[Sheila Murrey]

A coworker of my husbands did a great proactive video and posted on YouTube today that you may want to check out. Michael definitely wants a job. I think he should be making zillions of dollars as a TV reporter/journalist! We'll see!

Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duwVDkh5Jzc

[Sheila Murrey]

p.s.

Loretta,

Please keep in touch and yes, great things will come! :)

[Sheila Murrey]

Thank you Loretta and also Ram Giri...

Update: I've been full tilt, job hunting, interviewing, and broadening my knowledge base in a couple of areas - I am so glad if anyone else benefits from anything I've said here, truly I am grateful. I have a teaching heart I guess because whatever I learn I want to share. Sometimes this has come back to bite me - but that's me - how I am and I doubt that will change. I share freely and if I'm wrong I am not afraid to say so and continue to grow and learn, always moving forward.

Interestingly enough, I have a coworker who talked with me today (for she and I) to start a small "support group" in our local area, for those in our office who will be cut Sept. 30th so that we can keep ourselves "up", positive, working towards finding new work, sharing news and advice, all of that. And we'll be doing that, beginning this coming Saturday morning.

I have been so joyfully overwhelmed at the events as they've unfolded. Everyone has had different life experiences and are in different places in their lives right now but each of us has so much to share. So many reasons to get up in the mornings, get dressed up, show up, and give something to someone.

Through this process my husband and I have realized we are not working for our "house payment". What's important is the two of us. We have enjoyed both of us working at the same place for the last four years so that we could ride to work together and share lunches together but now we also realize we "put all of our eggs in one basket". We're now of the mind that we should not do that anymore.

And if we both lost our jobs our lives would go on - granted it could be rough for awhile (though we prepared) and our lifestyle would undoubtedly change but it's not as though the world will end. We will go on. We are survivors. We have our health.

Think about what you have going for you, what you want, and just put yourself out there.

I read a quote a day from Ernie Chu, Abraham-Hicks, and others now and I am finding them quite uplifting. I could be "down" right now but I am "choosing" to be "up". And I believe it's making all of the difference!

As I told someone today, I've been laid off before and was down and depressed and literally didn't get out and push myself, didn't interview as much as I could have etc. Some days it had been hard to function.

Since that didn't work so well (a few years ago) now I recognize that I can decide (and I have) to do something different. Put a smile on my face and go out and talk with as many people as I can.

Also, this past Sunday a wise woman from CLP (thank you Paula!) told me about a book called "Hiring the Heavens" and suggested I buy/read it. And I will do that. To all of those who have inspired me to reach for my dreams...

Namaste,

Sheila