Friday, May 7, 2010
A time for everything.
Just when I think life has reached some level of stability, I find myself somewhere new, somewhere I've never been before.
I think this season is about surrendering control, nurturing, and taking a step into the unknown
After a lot of agonizing, pros and cons lists, and chocolate, I decided to quit my job.
In truth it wasn't that hard of a decision to make: I was afforded the opportunity to stay home more, and I jumped at it. What was hard, was surrendering the plans and padded income...and saying goodbye to a job that has really been my life for the last two years. That has provided me with more challenges, growth, and rewards than I really thought possible in such a sort time.
How many people can say they found the best raspberry vinaigrette dressing at a restaurant called the Merry Wives Cafe in none other than Colorado City? How many people can say they've done marriage counseling with one, two and even three wives?! How many people have sat around a beautiful oak table and laughed with the women while they joked about drawing straws and being disappointed when they won? How many women have cried with a mother, who just lost their child to the world, because polygamy gives them an out? How many people have got to speak to hundreds of people, who pay money, to hear about knowledge only you and a handful of other people have in the whole world? How many people get to read their name in the paper and see their face in the news? (ok I don't love that part but it's different that's for sure). I got to live and work in the trenches and grass roots of change. I really had a great experience, summed up by this great line, uttered by the genious Rumi,
"Out beyond the ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field, I will meet you there"
...But how many people get to wake up to Lyla? And see her smiling face in bed, and know we can stay this way all day?
So yea, I quit...but I didn't remove my hat from the proverbial ring completely because 1) we can't afford it and 2) I believe some work makes me appreciate the time I have with Lyla, forcing me to be in the moment and 3) work forces me to leave the little one for a bit so she can socialize as she's quite the mommy's girl.
It's funny how things that are meant to be. A position at the hospital opened up-miraculously. And, all in one week, I was offered a job as a contract therapist for Chrysalis (private agency working with disabled) and at the hospital. It all worked out beautifully, as the hospital job is PRN (about 12 hours a month) and Chrysalis is about 9 hours of therapy a week. So all in all, I work about 12 hours a week...all of which I schedule whenever I want. I see clients in the evening so Lyla can hang with dad, Monday morning, so Lyla can hang with the cousins, and Friday for a bit (Todd has Fridays off). Did I mention both jobs pay exceptionally well. One is DOUBLE what I was making at my old job, meaning, I'm not taking that much of a pay cut. I do have to hold my own malpractice insurance but that's nothing.
So far there's been the growing pains, transitioning out and in. Intermountain has insane training..even if you are only working 3 hours a week. In one week, I had all day orientation, had to see 8 clients for Chrysalis, AND had to speak at two trainings for the SN. One is in the clip below and the other was for NASW spring professional series. Both great experiences but the week about did me in. I kept telling myself better days were on the horizon and they really are...but training doesn't really setting until June. We're surviving and I've had great help from family so I haven't had to leave Lyla too much. My mom watched Lyla during orientation at the hospital so I could nurse her and see her on the breaks and lunch. That was a lifesaver as I've never left her more than 3 hours.
Ok, I'm rambling, but that's the scoop. I'm loving having full days where we don't have to go anywhere...where work is no where near my mind. I love that this job forces me to leave her a bit so she can play with dad and cousins (I'd seriously never left her excpet for meetings before).
so yea, I'm blessed. Lucky. pleased as punch.
Labels: mommydom
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1 comments:
Chels, You are awesome. It would be hard to leave a job where you have succesfully blazed trails...but there are so many more trails to blaze! Thank you for sharing your thoughts--very touching.
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