Sometimes bouncing back just isn't good enough...

You know how when life hands you lemons all your friends say, "make lemonade" or "you'll bounce back." Well God bless their intentions, but forget bouncing back - I say BOUNCE FORWARD!

I learned a lot about myself through my journey to the end of my rope and back in the last two years. Divorce, selling of the dream house (although material, still a comfy place and "home"), going from tucking my son in every night to sharing custody with my ex-husband, and the cherry on top...losing the job I loved. All within a four month span of time. No biggie, right? I'll bounce back. But I didn't. Instead, I laid on the couch in self pity for months. Sure, I searched for jobs (endlessly...to the point of obsessive), but nothing was happening. February...nothing. March....nothing. April....interviewed and was their #2 choice (of course!). May...nothing. June...FINALLY I landed what I thought was a perfect job. Turns out that perfect job was just a job, and just a paycheck which came at a hefty price...my sanity.  By winter I was quickly questioning my judgement and knew I had to find something else. So the search began again. And so did the self pity - and my familiarity with the couch. It sucked.  What was wrong with me?  I knew people who had been through far more, far worse...and they were strong.  I was so weak. 

What I learned was that I was looking to bounce back - to recreate the life I had, instead of embracing the life ahead. I was so stuck in the past, the divorce, the job loss, that I couldn't see the future in front of my face.

I'm not sure how I finally snapped out of the couch phase and became a member of society again, but when I did I was so thankful to be in the present. I learned that change can be good. Scary yes, but good.
Since last July, I've been happily and gainfully employed...I love my job. Something I never thought I'd say again. I learned that life can throw me right hooks, upper cuts and jabs all it wants and I will bounce...forward!

It's not just the job. It was a true learning experience of finding myself, my character and my limits. No money for the power bill - sell some gold! Make it happen.

The point is, I've seen several friends go through similar situations; loss of a spouse, job, home, death, etc. I'm no longer going to tell them to make lemonade and that they will bounce back. Instead, make a lemon drop martini - you're gonna need it because it's a bumpy ride. But if you hang on and steer your own destiny it can happen. I ended up in a better place. I learned the hard way through moping and not taking control fast enough.

But through it all, I realized a passion I have in helping others. I've always "been there" for my friends and family, but now I really want to make this into something. I have great resources, connections and ideas on how to bounce forward when life throws you a doozie. My dream is to start a non-profit to help others bounce forward when they hit their low. And I know I can do it!
Stay tuned....