Over the past few months I have really been doing some self searching and I have been through some trials. 2012 overall had a shaky start and I can honestly say, I still haven't drawn my final conclusion on it. I have seen my friend grieve the loss of her daughter, I have lost numerous clients to tragic circumstances, I almost lost an Uncle to a nasty disease and currently my Grandmother is sitting in a nursing home just wanting to go home. In the grand scheme of things, my troubles are petty, however, the issues in my life required some serious thought and change.
Over the past few months, I have been drawn more and more to the plight of the homeless and the desire that I have had to help, someway, somehow.
These days and times a lot of individuals and families are suffering and trying to make a living. As hard as it is to imagine, there are a lot of us that are one paycheck away from the street. If you went down to Skid Row and talked to people, you would find that there are a lot of people just like you...people who just fell on hard times and ended up there.
So in these days and times when Starbucks costs $4.55 for a venti and a combo at a fast food restaurant costs almost $10.00, we can spare four bucks for a pack of waters to donate or hand out. You don't have give cash, you can make sandwiches or you can buy single serve packs of food to hand out. To see the appreciation and relief in the eyes of some people who possibly haven't had anything in days, it is a heartwarming feeling. Try it one day, it's addictive!
I was reading the bible today and thinking about how so many people doubt God's existence and use the suffering in the world as proof of that non-existence. What kind of God would allow people to suffer? What kind of God would allow children to be hurt? THE REALITY OF IT IS HE GAVE US FREE WILL. Free will to do as we please....good OR bad. What have you chosen? Is our test from God walking this earth and seeing what we do with that free will? Is he watching to see if we turn a blind eye to the sufferings of our fellow man? Is he waiting to see if we make the RIGHT choice? I have had debates with people about God, those who say there is no way he exists and I can't say I have all of the facts to argue...but what I DO say...I guess we'll all find out in the end!
Anyhow I digress, what I was getting to is that after 7 1/2 years at my insurance position in Laguna Niguel, I have decided to leave and work at The Midnight Mission in Los Angeles. I applied on a whim after researching donations on their website and although I have ZERO experience in Non Profit, they called me back and offered me the position. I was amazed and so thankful. The reality is that I have been unhappy in my current position for a LONG time. I have prayed for God to bring something else my way for years. I have applied, I have interviewed...I have tried and nothing....until now. I do honestly feel that this is where he wants me to be and I am taking that leap of faith and following this new path. I am hopeful that in this new position I can help bring some relief to the homeless that want a way out.
It is a big move. It was an unexpected move for all parties involved, it's truly the end of an era in my current office. I am thankful for the experience and feel that I have learned so much from the job.
Some of the things I've learned are:
I learned that I am more resilient that I ever thought I was
I learned that I was able to be humbled to unbelievable levels
I learned so much patience
I learned that even under fire, I could have class
I learned that I could wear multiple hats at one time
I learned that I could learn almost anything!
I learned that my family meant more to me than any title that I could be given
I learned that money cannot buy happiness
Most of all,
I learned that as hard as it was during those years, I was thankful for that job
God bless you all. Follow your heart, help one another, love one another....There is nothing greater than love.
