Prior to starting my health coaching practice, I was a cubicle professional. I sat in a cubicle for 8-12 hours a day. Every day was Groundhog Day, nothing to look forward to other than leaving or the occasional happy hour. However, once a month, the “cubicle village crier” would come around and announce the following “Food in the Conference Room”. Conversations would begin amongst co-workers that barely spoke to each other. Answers to questions like “Who held the meeting?” or “Was it a client meeting?” determined whether or not it was worth making the trip to the main conference room. A “client meeting” ALWAYS meant an upgrade in conference room food (which, to me, meant kick ass dessert tray). Eventually, this became old. The lemon squares I loved so much became “too sweet”. The ham sandwiches became bland. When this occurred I had two options: 1) Grab a different dessert or sandwich and try to become excited about the free food (which isn’t quite free, but I will save that discussion for another post) OR 2) Choose a new strategy to surviving “cubicle-life” and realize that there is more to life than free food in the conference room. I chose Option 2.
The past six weeks has been a period of transition.
Since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to have my own business. Nobody I knew worked in an office or had a professional career, so my vision of my own business was to work at a type-writer and a wear business suit with shoulder pads (this was the 80s you must understand!).
I've tried a few different careers - some successful and some not. Corporate environments depressed me, office politics baffled me and I never seemed to rise above mid level positions. I would easily get more and demotivated. I always had extra projects though that excited me - little businesses or writing projects.
In January, I decided to take the plunge. Work for myself, be open to possibilities and take some time to decide what I want to do in this world.
A lot of things have opened up, but also have confronted me. Will I make money? Will I end up a penniless, homeless tramp?
I'm determined to be in flow, doing things I'm passionate about and figure out the money thing later.
Here are some fab things I've done recently.
Gone back to ballet class for the first time in two years. It's like meditation for me.
Visited the Earth Ship in Brighton which gave me a vision for how I want to live.
Volunteered at an eco park, and built a bird house from scratch, with my hands and using power tools!
Connected with some fabulous people - old and new friends
Started a 30 days to Raw programme with Karen Knowler.
Signed on to Karen's online business training programme!
Started a regular weekly yoga and juice date with the lovely Blanka of Gracefully Raw
Been to inspiring seminars such as Awakening the Dreamer Changing the Dream Symposium.
Met fellows bloggers, people who are quitting their jobs and changing their lives for the better
Photos of the Earth Ship, visiting vegan cafes in Brighton, and of my bird house!
I just got the most beautiful and timely newsletter from Doreen Virue. She writes and speaks about messages from angels, and even if you aren't into that kind of thing, it can speak to anybody, no matter their beliefs.
It's speaks to me, because for many years, I have struggled with the question - What is my purpose in life? I have done jobs and pursued careers that have not been fulfiling, and I always feel like I'm looking for something.
This is a green issue for me, because I firmly believe that people are not happy and they are feel like they are trapped in unfulfilling careers because they are locked in a cycle of debt and consumption. We numb ourselves with bad food, we feel we "deserve" that big flat screen tv. Messages like this from Doreen make me feel hope that we can lead simpler, happier and more authentic lives.
January 2009
2009 New Year Message Received by Doreen Virtue
"2009 will present many opportunities for growth, especially in the beginning of the year," Archangel Michael said to me loudly and clearly. When I asked him to explain further, he said that some might face challenges along the same lines as we experienced in latter 2008. Many will be pushed into changing their lives . . . always for the better.
So, in the last couple of months I have gotten engaged (no big surprise there), discovered raw food, become a LOT more green than I used to be, have changed my contraception and quit my job. So lots of ups and downs. It's been sometimes like an emotional rollercoaster, in other ways like a second puberty - but the overwhelming feeling is one of positive transformation, like I can shed anything I want to in this period and it's all leading to bigger and better things.
Outside myself, there are big changes happening in the world too, and I'm not the only one changing.
I've been toying starting a blog about sustainability and green living. The thing that has held me back is kind of feeling like an outsider, or that I haven't done enough - who am I to write a blog called "The Green Queen"?
Oh well - I've opened the flood gates now - no going back now!
