Preface: Last weekend while I was in
Atlanta, I was given a reminder-- a “gentle nudge” you might call it-- that our
blog was way overdue for a posting. Thank you for the poke, we’re back on it~;-)
Since I was
a teenager, I’ve been a collector of uplifting quotes as well as a devoted
reader of inspirational books. The above quote was posted by a Facebook friend
this past March and even though the adage wasn’t foreign to me, the words
struck me in a manner they hadn’t before.
For twenty
years I worked in Corporate America, with 16 of those years at the same
company. While I was grateful for my bi-monthly paycheck, medical benefits and
growing pension, I was unfulfilled nearly nine hours of every day. Although I
had managed to write 4.5 books while working full-time, I felt confined and
restricted throughout my days, and limited to writing only in the evenings and
weekends while still filling my role as a Mom and Partner. I was frustrated,
angry and often sad that I didn’t have the freedom to explore my creativity on
a full-time basis.
As spoiled
and childish as it may sound, on occasion, maybe a few times a year I would cry
before work or after work. That happened the day I read the above quote.
Brandy, who had graciously listened to my whining day after day, decided we
needed to put an end to my pouting and frustration. We had contemplated leaving
Milwaukee for quite some time; those who know me were aware I had no desire to
endure Midwest winters for much longer. Whenever we’d talk about moving, we got
so excited about the new venture! But, within a day or two we’d determine the
risk too great to leave our jobs, part from the children, and leave the
security we had in Milwaukee.
In mid-March
(after that last crying episode) we spent a weekend in a Chicago hotel room and
brainstormed our plan; we realized that if we didn’t act, and act quickly, we’d
find yet another excuse to remain in Milwaukee, fearful of the unknown. That
weekend we finalized our choice to take a chance
because if we didn’t, our lives would never change. While many people (including us) thought we’d
relocate and settle in Atlanta, we opted for the west coast: California! On
June 2nd, two and half months after our decision, we hit the road to
L.A.
I’d be lying
if said the transition has been easy. In fact, on a couple of occasions we
questioned if we made the right choice. We haven’t yet settled into our own
place. At times we are frozen with sticker shock. I’ve been unable to figure
out how to structure my days now that I work for myself all day, every day. Brandy wants us to have everything we desire
right now; unfortunately that’s not possible.
These
frustrations, however, are minimal. They’re trivial compared to the
overwhelming blessings we’ve experienced. We’ve confirmed two amazing and
beautiful friends in our lives. Brandy immediately secured a new job, which she
started only three weeks after we arrived. We legally married on our
anniversary in July. School began for Brandy on July 22nd and she’s
now 3 classes from graduation. The EXchange, my fourth book was released at the
end of June. I have a novella, Sugar on
the Side (part of Carl Weber’s Full Figured series) set for release in
October, and a contract to write another novella is on the way. Above all, we have each other. Regardless of
the city or household in which we live, at the end of every day we’re together,
exactly where we’re meant to be.
We do not
yet know if L.A. will become our permanent residence; time and experience will
tell. With that said, I must add that we certainly have no intention to live a
vagabond lifestyle. But, fortunately we now understand that we’re not bound to
any job, city, or state. As long as we have each other and faith in the above,
our lives are ours to live however and wherever
we choose. J
©Nikki
Rashan September 2013
