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I left my job this week. Ok before you start thinking that I cursed my boss and left in a puff of anger and indignation, let me set you straight. I left on my own volition and feel better about the decision than anything I have done in a very long time. In my exit interview, a red string I was wearing on my wrist that was given to me by my Jewish best friend fell off. The string is said to guard against negativity and offer the wearer protection, and will fall off when it is no longer needed. There was no clearer sign that I was doing the right thing. It has been a journey years in the making but specifically this year I took steps to ensure that I was indeed becoming a person I am proud of.  My daily yoga and meditation has made me pay closer attention to the signs the universe sends me. I slow my mind down and listen instead of letting the incessant ego center chatter take over. It told me in a kind loving way to that it was time to leave. I won't bore you with the details of what was going on that precipitated my exit so lets just say, I wasn't part of a high school clique 30 years ago and was definitely not interested in being in one now.

So what is my plan? Well, I am going to be dog walking part time for some cash, am working on starting my own business with a good friend, researching yoga teacher training, applying to go on "Survivor"  but all in all I am keeping my options open. I am viewing this time as opportunity to do things that make me happy. I don't want a full time, stressful job at some bullshit corporation - been there, done that too many times to count. Too much politics, stress and long hours and for what? So I can buy a new purse once in a while? No thanks. I can make money to live doing things that I love. I have always talked about this but then I fall back into the traditional path because I have listened to too many "other" voices my whole life. And no, I don't mean the voices in my head - typically those voices have been dead on. I mean the well meaning family and friends that always have to chime in with advice even when you don't ask for it. They always say the same things, "Well, make sure you have another job lined up before you quit." "What about health care and benefits?" "Aren't you worried about not having a 401K and retirement plan." I'm not trying to dismiss this stuff as unimportant, I'm just saying that I'm not dictating the way I live by these societal restraints. In the grand scheme of life, it is all meaningless anyway. What is meaningFUL to me is to be surrounded by those I love - 4 legged and 2 legged friends, spending my days the way I want to spend them, and following my intuition.

How am I spending my time these days?  On January 1st, I started a 30 day Hatha Yoga for Happiness program. It has been amazing. I have learned that I do really well with making commitments and following these types of programs. It keeps me on a track where I really see results  physically as well as emotionally. When I am in a bad mood and then I practice yoga, I am remarkably better after its over. I also just mastered headstand: a pose I honestly NEVER thought I would be able to do. There was a woman that used to work out in one of the studios at my old job and she would always be practicing her headstand and every time I saw her I would think, "Wow, she is so bad ass!" and look who is the bad ass now! I don't think it is any coincidence that I mastered this 2 days after leaving my job. It was fear that had held me back from doing it before and I conquered fear by leaving my job so my brain was like, "fear? screw fear... you got this girl!" and I did. I laughed out loud while I was upside down! I am also doing some cardio workouts so I can sweat which I desperately need. When I don't sweat, I get super cranky. I'm also meditating daily and trying to write more. I am reading a lot (big surprise) and spending time with friends. When I'm tired, I take a nap, when I feel lazy I watch TV for a while, when I feel lonely, I meditate or text a friend. I am not incessantly worrying about the future or beating myself up for every little decision. This is progress!

The universe is also helping me along quite nicely. I had a dream a few weeks before I landed this dog walking gig that I was with a golden retriever. When I interviewed for this job, I ended up walking a golden retriever. Thanks universe for the clear as day sign! Then last night I asked for a sign about pursuing yoga teacher training and then this morning I saw an ad for an internship where they help pay for your teacher training so I applied. Signs are all around and I am trying very hard to listen closely and carefully. I am also trying to trust all of these signs and know that I can't make a wrong decision.

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