Take a few minutes to read two stories – to see what I mean…

The first story:

Just about one year ago, a lady lost her job.   It wasn’t just a job, but one that she had worked extremely hard at for many years.  She had worked for nearly 16 years to build her worth to the organization and was making a nice sum of money.   Through a series of events, she found herself working for an interim boss who was very difficult to work for, lacked integrity, and didn’t care for the positive reputation and close knit network she had with many executives.   In less than 90 days, this interim person eliminated her position with numerous others to follow.   This seemed to be a catalyst that led to a hard year ahead.   

Two days after she was let go, she went on vacation, if you could call it that.   Over and over she relived the moments of being told her job was gone on a very long plane ride.   Those thoughts would sneak up on her anytime she let her mind drift.    It was a long week of trying to figure out why this happened to her when she didn’t deserve it.  

She came back and quickly began applying for positions.   Many positions.   She was skilled at resume writing and interviewing but realized something had changed.   Many computer systems required you to list your date of college graduation to complete an application.   Anyone could do the math.   She wasn’t a spring-chicken any longer.   Initial interviews rarely developed into follow-up interviews.    Even if they weren’t good at math, their vision was good enough to see… she was definitely a grandma.    Didn’t anyone care that her 30 (plus) years of deep and broad experience was what they needed?   Didn’t anyone care that she wasn’t ready to quit?   Oh, and did anyone care that losing her job robbed her of any type of retirement party she had thought about for years?   Didn’t anyone…

The days filled up somehow.   She helped her kids and grandkids when they needed her.    She did more around the house.   Where did all the laundry come from anyway?   She fought back tears on more than one occasion.   Who was she now?   Where did her worth come from?   

The future plans she and her husband made about retirement were thrust in to the present.   They would need to make some big adjustments soon.   Not when they had planned, or in the way they had planned.   Life as they knew it had changed.   Forever. 

The second story:

Just about one year ago, a lady lost her job.   It wasn’t just a job, but one that she had worked extremely hard at for many years.  She had worked for nearly 16 years to build her worth to the organization and was making a nice sum of money.   Through a series of events, she found herself working for an interim boss who believed she was given a specific set of objectives that unfortunately affected numerous people, several whom this lady cared a great deal about.  In less than 90 days, this lady’s world changed.   This seemed to be a catalyst that led her to an unexpected, yet, rewarding place.

It was truly a blessing that two days after she was let go, she went on vacation with her husband to the beautiful island of Maui.   One couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing, beautiful example of God’s gift of beauty than where they stayed.   Although it was hard not to relive the moments of being told her job was gone on a very long plane ride, she only needed to look at her husband, to realize what was truly important in life.   You see, just several years before, he had been diagnosed with colon cancer, and they had been given the indescribable gift of a full and so far, lasting recovery.  Although the negative thoughts would sneak up on her anytime she let her mind drift, it only took hearing the waves crash against the shore, or the beautiful Hawaiian music, or feel her husbands hand in hers as they walked along the beach, to be reminded of what is most important.    It was the gift of a week away, to relax and consider what God had in store for her now.

She came back and quickly began applying for positions.   Many positions.   She was skilled at resume writing and interviewing but realized through the process that she had been so very blessed to work where she had several of the most amazing leaders.   That would indeed be very hard to replace.   Perhaps God was nudging her to think differently – be more open to other possibilities?     What could she do that would honor her years of education and experience?    Her husband was thrilled that the pressure she had endured for many years was gone.    That was surely something to consider.    Through her network she learned of two promising opportunities.   A consulting firm focused on using people just like her…  that weren’t (you guessed it) spring-chickens, but were seasoned – a grandma indeed.    In addition, she learned her two-time alma mater, was building a campus just miles from her home.  She quickly applied to teach there next fall.    Numerous people told her she should write.   With much prayer and anticipation – she started a blog!   Somethings had changed.   Why hadn’t she realized she was (more than) ready to quit working full-time?  Oh, and she began dreaming of a huge retirement party when she, her husband, her sister and brother-in-law were ALL retired together!   Where would they go?  How would they get there?   Fly?  Motorhome?  Cruise ship?  Harley motorcycles??

The days filled up somehow.  She was excited each time one of her kids or grandkids called.   She was free to help them or just hang out with them.   Days and moments that could never be repeated.   Memories to make and last forever.   She fought back tears on more than one occasion.   She knew how very blessed her life had been and would be so much more now.   She was unencumbered to be whoever she wanted to be.    Her worth came from her loving God who likely knew it was time.

She and her husband started looking with anticipation and excitement toward the next phase of their life.   She had been blessed to receive the gift of severance after her job.  They also had other means of income.   Whatever was ahead – it would happen sooner than they planned but they also knew it would unfold in God’s timing.  They’ve played more golf.   Spent much more time together.   She does all the laundry and often, as she’s matching up another pair of socks, she’ll stop and say another prayer of thanks that he is still with her on this earth to wear them!    They are reminded each and every day of the gift they have been given, of health, family and friends.   They have a new and energized perspective on the things that matter…  the things that have an eternal perspective.  Life as they knew it had changed.   Forever.

The take-away:

You may have already guessed, but this is two different stories of the past year of my life.   Just with two very different perspectives.   All I had to do was change my perspective and everything changed.    Please know that there have been times when I have candidly been in part of each of the two stories.   But I use it to illustrate the power of our perception on everything no matter how big or how small.    I trust this stirs you to consider how you too can make a powerful difference in how you look at, and as a result experience, each and every day of your life.    It isn’t always easy, but it is so worth it.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.   Jerimiah 29:11