And I said, "Thank you," with a smile. (Part 2)

I assumed he was your typical homeless person and hoped he had a shelter to go to this evening for a warm meal and blanket. “Maybe I should offer him a few bucks,” I thought, “but he might just go use it on booze.” Again something pinged inside my heart as I listened to the judgmental thoughts that were running around my head. Shrugging it off, still pretty sure I had pegged this man, I confidently asked, “So you got a place to stay tonight? I can recommend a shelter a couple blocks from here.”

The man just smiled. “Thank you for your concern, but I am not homeless,” he answered quietly. And he didn’t say more.

“Oh, I just assumed because you...uhh...” I stammered.

“Most people do.”

I was getting colder by the minute, but just couldn’t squelch my curiosity about this man. “Do you live around here?” I probed.

“Nope. Just passing through,” he said simply.

Continuing my line of questioning I asked, “Do you clean people’s windshields often?”

“No. I only do it for those who really need it.”

“Do you mean for people whose windshields were as dirty as mine?” I asked, seeking clarification of his statement.

“It has nothing to do with the windshield,” the man answered.

I had to know, “Why did you feel the need to clean mine? You said you wanted me to clearly find my way tonight.”

“That’s right,” he said, “to help you find your way tonight.”

“But I don’t understand,” I responded, getting a bit exasperated by now, and not because of the cold.

The tall thin man took a long breath, and began to explain his purpose to me as we both stood beneath the lamppost in the bitter cold.

(To be continued Monday)

Thanks for reading and be well.

_________________________________________

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Moving on after the big shove-off.

Today’s topic comes from a reader who wrote, "I would love to see your ideas on layoff's and how people are coping;” and are things “really getting better?" First of all, let me say thank you for the comment and inspiration for this post.

Being laid off is not the type of experience you hope to have in your career. It is not something they prepare you for in school. When it was my turn in April, it initially felt as though someone had pulled the rug out from under me. I had waves of emotion ranging from complete shock and anger, to relief and excitement about the prospect of starting something new.

Things are tough and may very well get worse in the coming months. How you process and move through the experience is all a matter of perspective. There are people around the country struggling to make ends meet while attempting to find steady employment. Some will turn inward and shut down because of fear, rejection, anger and hopelessness. Those who can tap into their emotional reserves to be resilient and find the courage to think outside the box will be the ones who ride out the storm and find new direction.

If you or someone you know has been laid off, here are some coping strategies to help create a mindset for successfully navigating the transition:

1. Reflect on your work experience and find the value in it. Make a list of all the skills you acquired, contributions you made and special projects you spearheaded. You want to go into an interview in a position of strength, confident about all you have to offer a prospective employer that sets you apart from your competition.
2. Make a list of all the contacts with whom you had great business relationships. Start networking with them. Having worked with you, they have the ability to offer endorsements that might get you in the right door, or land you the position you have always wanted. Every article I’ve read on finding a job in this market talks about the importance of networking, networking and more networking. The friend of a friend might know of the perfect opportunity that you otherwise would never have found.
3. Don’t waste time wallowing in perceived misfortune. Invest in your mind, heart, body and spirit to reenergize, refocus, learn something new, and begin thinking about all the possibilities before you. No one but you can limit your potential.
4. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and have always wanted to own a business, there is no better time than the present. The economic climate and growing unemployment crisis is causing people to rethink their future and find creative ways to carve out their own niche. Consult with your friends, mentors and family to see if this might be the right fit for you.

I am blazing my own entrepreneurial trail and am loving every minute of it! But each person must do what their gut is calling them to do. Your life is what you make it, so don’t let anyone sell you a different story. We are not defined by our circumstances, so create the future that you have always wanted. Instead of a layoff being a tragedy, it could be your greatest opportunity for change. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” - so put on your dancing shoes and join me!

Thank you for reading and be well.

_________________________________________________________________________

To eliminate any confusion:

If you have subscribed to the service FeedMyInbox (from my website home page) to receive this blog via daily email and would like to interact with me using the buttons I describe below, simply click on the Does my life have a rewind button OR the title of the blog at the top of your email and you will be redirected to the blog page.

I have added a Share button at the top of the page. Please forward this message to those you think might be inspired by it. My dream is to reach as many people as I can with thoughts to lift their spirits and bring a smile to their face.

Feel free to click on the Comment link below or http://www.tinyurl.com/yourcomments and let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback!

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If you would like to receive daily posts via email through the service http://www.FeedMyInbox.com direct to your Inbox simply visit my website http://www.ALifeOutsideTheBox.com and sign up today.

When God pushes you out of your comfort zone.

I lost my full-time job back in the Spring. Even though I had been planning to transition from that position to working with performance clients in a private practice, I was going to do it on my time table. Life is not always that clean cut.

The layoff came as a bit of a surprise, but from the first moment, I knew it was a blessing. I found myself in a position where I had no more excuses holding me back. I launched full speed into setting up the structure for running a private practice and have not looked back. Has it been easy? No. I have had to get creative with my finances and rely on my family for many forms of support to keep the fulfillment of this dream alive. I am so fortunate to have the complete backing of my family and dearest friends. They are my priceless and biggest fans.

Deep down I knew the time was coming when God would push me out of my comfort zone. I was not pursuing my dreams because I had become complacent with a steady paycheck, benefits and a routine. I know I was placed on this earth for a bigger purpose and simply had to get past the fear of change. God answered my prayers, turned my life upside down, and placed me on a path in the direction of His will. I couldn’t be happier!

There is no room for doubt and I am living with a “no excuses” attitude. It is clear that there is nothing I can’t accomplish on this path. I have held tight for many years to Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My future is unfolding according to God’s will and the most exciting part is the anticipation of all the ways He will work through me to touch the lives of others in a powerful way.

Have you become complacent in your life? Do you feel the time coming when you will be pushed from your comfort zone to a place of growth? Embrace the challenge for change! I feel like an eaglet who has been pushed from the nest. Now is my time to fly!

***If you like what I wrote, please take a moment to submit a comment below. I appreciate the feedback which will only help me improve. If you have a topic you would like me to write about, let me know and I will do my best to accommodate.

Thanks for reading and be well.