Today IS a good day

I set a new record for myself: least amount of time between jobs. Last time I had to find work, it took me ten days. This time, I was offered a position in 32 hours. (I accepted, of course.)

I feel blessed, but the emotional roller coaster, I could do without. Lots of highs and lows in the past 48 hours. From despair and disbelief, to shame and self-doubt, to worry and panic, to tentative acceptance...and now this opportunity comes from, seemingly, out of the blue.

I don't believe that things just randomly happen, but I despise the Pollyanna phrase, "everything happens for a reason." Probably because it's so cliche and I HATE cliche. But as new-agey as it sounds, I do believe that we move through this universe with a purpose. The trick...the key, is to figure out what that purpose is and to continue to move toward it while safely navigating the obstacles.

Sounds easier than it is, I know. Since I've been sober, though, it's been a hell of an adventure and a nice surprise to discover just how strong I am when I hold the belief that I will make it. I will accomplish my goal, which is to become not just a writer, but an author. Everything along the way is just navigation, and I'm much better at steering these days.

Today is a good day

I heard somewhere that the three biggest life stressors are divorce, a death in the family and losing your job. I have to agree because yesterday I lost my job.

Well, I didn't lose it. I know where it is. I'm just not there anymore. This is devastating, especially in this economy. The thing is, I loved my job. I thought I had found a home and I worked with some really great people who I will miss. I was good at my job, too. Very good. Then again, I've always done well at anything I've tried. So what happened? The honest truth is: I don't know. I know what I was told. I know I disputed their claims, and I know they refused to show me verification of the reasons for my termination. Instead, they showed me the door. (I'd already seen the damn door. I knew where it was, and yet they insisted on showing it to me one last time.)

So why is today a good day? Damned if I know, but I'm by God going to find a reason.
Let's see...
I finished my book and have been submitting to agents. Five rejections so far (one was a personalized "no thank you") and five that I haven't heard back from...which probably means rejection. BUT...I finished the book and I'm trying, right?

Bills are paid and I've got a little money, so we'll be okay for a little while anyway.

I'm baking bread and making soup today so my son and I have food for awhile.

I'm sober. I'm SOBER!!

Today is a good day!

Milestones

It's been a while, so I thought I'd check in. February 13th - a big day in many ways for my son and I - is only ten days away. Andy will turn eighteen, I will have been sober for two years and it looks the first draft of my book will be finished on that day. That was my goal - to have it finished by my sobriety date and I'm so close.

So all my spare time, for the past couple of months, has gone toward writing. It'll be an intense ten days until the 13th, but I'm determined to accomplish what I set out to do.

In addition to my son turning eighteen soon, I've also made the decision for him to graduate this year instead of next, as was planned. I'm so proud of him. This is a good time for Andy and me. I plan to update here shortly after the 13th, so wish me luck and I'll see you soon.