Friday, October 2, 2009

Brave

As you may (or may not!) already know, I quit my job. My last day of employment is officially October 9, 2009--that's one week! People keep asking me why I would quit a "perfectly good job" in an economic environment like this one, where people everywhere are clinging hopelessly to ANY job they can get.

via flikr

And my answer is simply that I am not fulfilled in this job. Yes, I make money. Yes, I have health insurance. Yes, I have my very own office. But when it comes right down to it, I can get those things in many places and many different positions--what I am looking for right now is a JOB or a CAREER that leaves me excited to get up in the morning, where I feel like my energy is making a positive contribution to society and the world.

There is a Buddhist philosophy that thinks that every person born into this world is equally capable of good or evil, and which part is expressed depends on the society and circumstances into which the child is born. If a child is born into a group of people who are unhappy and not contributing positively, then he is less likely to manifest the good and happy in his potential, and so forth. By that theory, every unhappy person in this world makes the world a worse place. So I am trying to change my circumstances so that I may be a more fulfilled and productive individual.

I keep waffling between thinking, "I am so happy that I have taken this negative out of my life and made room to fill it with positives. I rock!" and thinking "wow, you are so stupid! what are you thinking?"

But what people keep telling me is that I am BRAVE. So I started thinking about the word "brave." Is that what brave means? Happy, fierce, and stupid? So I looked it up. Here is what dictionary.com had to say:

Brave. Syn.: bold, intrepid, daring, dauntless, heroic.
"Brave," "courageous," "valiant," "fearless," and "gallant" refer to confident bearing in the face of difficulties or dangers.
"Brave" is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening."

I think I like that! "Confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening." I am going to keep that in mind as I face the next few weeks.

7 comments:

Courtney said...

I know you would not have made the choice to leave your job, without having another one lined up, if you were not in a good position to do so. Enjoy your time off & I hope you find the career of your dreams! You are a smart & talented woman - you will be fine!

Clarissa said...

Congrats on making a tough choice and I'm really excited to see what fun things you have in your future! Whatever you do -- keep up your blog. I love seeing what neat things and ideas you have for your house!

Lesley said...

Ooo, read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/your-money/26shortcuts.html?pagewanted=1&em Very timely! Don't worry about all those people questioning your decisions - at the end of the day, it's about what's best for you, not them. And besides, this just means you have opened up a position for someone who actually does like going to court and writing briefs and all that shiz!

Jenny said...

charlotte, you are awesome. seriously, i think 'brave' is definitely the right word, because so many people complain about their circumstances and never do anything to change them. plus, now you have at least a little time for more crafting! which has to be more fun than wearing suits all the time. you go girl! (yeah, i went there.)

Amy said...

I just got back from Europe and read your blog to find out that this
will be your last week of work! I just wanted to let you know that I
am excited for you and wish you the best.

Lari said...

im proud of you honey. you did the right thing and now you can actually focus on finding a job that makes you happy. =) love you.

Michelle | When I Grow Up Coach said...

What an amazing new perspective - being Brave. I know that your job might not seem "threatening", as the definition suggests, but it was a threat to your happiness & that counts for more than something.

Like all the other commentors said, you are a smart, talented woman & I can't wait to see what comes from this Brave decision!