the Pursuit of HappYness

So this weekend I went to see the movie the Pursuit of Happyness with my parents and I must say that it was a GREAT movie and I truly recommend anyone and everyone to go see it.

Because the movie is still new I am not going to talk about it, or its plot, or what happens, but I will say this, although the movie was at times slow, it really motivated me to continue on the path that I am moving on.

Last week, for Truly Thankful Tuesday, I eluded to something wonderful happening in my life, a light at the end of the tunnel if you will.

Well today people I can tell you about that light, today, I gave my two week notice at my current employer.

This is how the story goes...On Wednesday, November 29th, after discussing my financial woes and want for a career path that deals with kids...one of my good girlfriends applied for me a position for an organization working for the benefit of youth. (I can never thank you enough KB for that) The organization's mission, vision, goals, all center around making sure that as many kids as possible receive proper health care. So knowing how much I love kids and reading up on the position, she applied for me. Same day I get an e-mail for an interview, that Friday I was already scheduled to work a half day because I had pre-op appointment...so I went, for the interview...I prayed before I went in there, and I prayed when I left...to LET HIS will be done...
The interview was about an hour and a half long. The office is small, and its a place where you KNOW people are there to work for the cause. I loved the atmosphere, I loved talking to the Deputy Director and the other young lady that I would be working with. Me being prepared as I tend to do, I left no room for having to prolong the follow-up, I left my resume and references...and was ready to wait for the "next steps" if you will of the process...

well let me back up, and tell you how I know that Jehovah GOD was in this from the beginning, when I left the doctor's office I needed to get a cab, but the side walk was closed so that meant me walking, IN HEELS, a block or two just to get one...BUT there was a cab sitting on the side that was "out of service" the guy was working on paper work, and I asked him if he could take me to 11th & G streets, he said it wasn't far so OK...BUT the thing was he didn't take Visa cards, but I knew there was a Suntrust Bank in the building, so I told him if he would take me, I would pay him when I got there...he TOOK ME! Now this is totally unheard of, thought of, whatever...I get there he gives me 5 minutes free to get the money and he didn't over charge me...Unbelievable right...yea I know...

So the next week when I am working from home, recovering whatever, I get a call asking which references that they wanted me to call...I called them back and let them know...This was Tuesday, by that Thursday she had called my references, and by that next Monday I had a message from the Deputy Director asking me to give her a call...

Now, let me back up again, at first I was told that I would know something by that Friday, December 8th, but the call never came...so that Friday and Saturday I was tripping, I was really tripping...because its such a GREAT opportunity for me to start on my career path...so Sunday I went to church...I went to church and I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders...I left it all there in the church that day, and moved on...I said "Lord you know what's best for me, you have your way, and let it be your will, where I belong..."

So Tuesday, December 12th I gave her a call and she offered me the job...I will be working to do research and programming in my new position, I will get a 20% increase in salary, and they pay my basic medical benefits 100%, anything above that I will pay, and its a really good place for me...the Deputy Director told me straight up that she was at the down end of her career path and she was really looking for young people that she can mold and grow to eventually take the organization to the next level! That's what I am talking about....and I honestly BELIEVE in what they are doing and feel like I am going to look FORWARD to going to work everyday...

Well how does this all tie into the movie...well dude NEVER gave up, even when he wasn't "qualified" on paper, he showed them how he really was...through his persistence and going the extra mile...

Let me make something clear, I KNOW for a fact that I was in the top 3 of the candidates for my new position, and I also KNOW because of what she told my two references, that I was NOT the MOST qualified candidate for the job, but THEY LIKED ME and saw potential IN ME...

Now, don't get me wrong I have the masters, I have the research and work history, but I don't have the tenure, I don't have a steady work history, NOR do I have an extensive work experience background, 3+ years in the field steady...I haven't had my MPA but for 6 months...I have worked all through undergrad and grad school, jumping around trying to find my "nitch" so my longest job was about a year in one position...

BUT what I KNOW I did in that interview, is I let the Deputy Director KNOW, that I was eager and willing to learn, and ready to go! I let her know that I honestly believe in the organization, I showed that I researched the organization, and I expressed how I would work HARD to grown and excel in the organization, if just given the opportunity...I Stretched myself...I put myself on the line and I Stretched myself...because I knew if just given the chance I could do it!

Its just brings me to the conclusion, that like Chris Gargner, we too have to go the EXTRA MILE to make it in this corporate America life style...As we were watching the movie (I went with my parents) my father said "I would have been done cursed that MF out.." and I just looked at him and said "Dad, that's just corporate America"...

it made me realize something...there is NO perfect job out there for you...for me...but there is the makings of a GREAT (not perfect)experience...

Now, don't get me wrong, NO JOB IS PERFECT...NO LIFE IS PERFECT....every job is going to have something that you don't like about it, every job is going to have its share of BS and the people who create the BS...but its up to YOU, to pursue your own HAPPINESS, to work towards your goals and what you want out of life...

and I honestly find that when I turn that over to GOD...and let HIM work it out for ME, through me...its that much easier of a thing to do....

Life hasn't been that easy for me...let's just take a look at my year 2006 in review shall we:
was at the job from HELL
left there got another job only to be let go after 2 months...out of work for about 2 months, got another job (where I am at now) that is just that a job but it deals with research and I learned a lot...but then I began to have major health problems that lead to major surgery, my apartment was broken into...no relationship in sight....and you know I just started to feel really down...wanting to get out of debt move forward do something positive...

...regardless that I took a 10% pay cut to come to THIS job GOD moved for me to get a 20% increase when moving to my new job...and through all the ups and downs I haven't missed not one rental payment, one car payment, credit card bill payment, and NOW with an additional 400 for student loans...I haven't missed that either

Again, I say I haven't missed a beat, bills may not have gotten paid exactly ON time, but they got paid...and I kept right on going...its been rough, it hasn't been easy..but I look back on it and I KNOW that GOD was preparing to move me to another level in my life and without all the experiences and trails that I have endured I wouldn't understand the JOY, PEACE, and just satisfaction at looking at my life, knowing it could be worse, and just revealing my TRUE HAPPINESS!

And the thing is HE IS NOT DONE YET...not by far...Happiness is about a peace of mind, a centeredness if you will, that you can't get from the cars, the clothes, the homes, the money...it comes from within, from setting your sights on something and going for it, no matter WHAT the odds are...its about continuing to strive for the BEST in life, whatever YOUR best is...but knowing that in the end...its really about that inner peace that COMES from knowing GOD and knowing yourself...

Again, life is not perfect, but what you want, you have to go for it people, don't get strapped down in the "everyday" of life, and let it pass you by...life is to be lived, to be enjoyed...

You should make life, life should NOT make you...
pursue your dreams, even when they tell you NO, or you aren't the MOST qualifed, if you know you can do it...you go AFTER it...

pursue YOUR HAPPINESS!