Almost a month...

Almost a month of freedom from a steady job. I thought I would have lots of free time, but there are so many things to do related to being unemployed....I had to register and figure out the unemployment website....keeping track of jobs I have applied for....setting up my office to include getting business cards, setting up and learning how to use a new email tool and tasks and calendars...still haven't figured out a good expense reporting application. Let me know if you have a cool one.

Then there are the appointments. I had to convert my life insurance....call the company to find out about the possibilities and find out that they want $1000/mo for term insurance...guess they don't want my business. That leads to phone tag with my current insurance agent to find out what is available. Then there are the financial planners...they want lots of info...so I assemble the info and wait for their advice. Oh yes, and don't forget the attorney who reviewed the severance package and has several worthy suggestions. Another time to Cleveland to the Fidelity folks to talk about 401ks and IRAs...whew...I am getting a crash course in being my own personal HR representative. This is a great learning experience. Now that I have precious little money, everyone wants a piece of what is left...did I also mention the PrimeAmerica folks? 

The one blessing has been the ability to spend more time with my family and friends. I got to help my parents pack up their camper for the winter. My brother does so much for them. I am grateful for his constant attention to them and now I have the time to step up and assist. I am working at calling her at least every other day, just to check in.

I have three options on the table....
1. Continue my dissertation research on the causes of persistence...need affiliated with a University to do this.
2. Start my own business - Cyberbullying
3. Get a job with a company. One thing I know for sure is that I do not want to work for a 'for profit' organization again. There is way too much scrambling over each other to get to the top...I'm not that hungry...I am more interested in the outcome of the work...what does the company accomplish...how does it impact the world...who will benefit from the work. Once an idealist, always an idealist...somethings never change.

What a difference a day makes....

On my last post, I was extolling the virtues of working in public relations....now I am unemployed...the details are pretty standard...'corporate efficiencies' and 'elimination of your position'...but the outcome is the same...no longer doing the work I loved.

So, this is the beginning of a new journey...not sure if it is early retirement or a opportunity to start a new business...still examining options but the day after the announcement, I felt "FEARLESS and FREE".  I am not afraid and now I have many options that were not available before...
1. The sand is quickly running through the hourglass for my parents...so the time to take advantage of each grain is a blessing.
2. The opportunity to examine the important work I want to do....a. continue my research into what makes humans 'persistent'. and b. maybe starting a business...
3. Freedom to re-invest in old friendships and find new ones
4. Plan a party.
5. Investigate Cyberbullying
and 6.7.and 8 that I haven't even thought about yet....

Think I will use this space to talk about the early retirement journey...I think this is a very FREEING opportuntiy....can't wait to get started....a new beginning.

Serving the community has become a passion....I love my job as a Public Relations Director for Time Warner Cable. This past weekend, we were the major sponsor of the Akron Marathon sponsored by Time Warner Cable and I got to stand at the finish line as the runners crossed the finish line...what dedication these folks have.

To Induce or not to Induce...that is the question

My daughter is getting ready to deliver her first child. She is two weeks away from her delivery date and her doctor is already talking about inducing her.
Isn't it odd that humans are the only creatures who believe that baby's need to be born/delivered on certain days? No where else in the animal kingdom are drugs adminsitered to speed the labor and delivery....a real point to ponder.

Scott and Molly McCormick

What a day in Denver! Mile high dreams and destinies! Molly and Scott marry on Feb 7, 2009. They are both so deserving of each other. We couldn't be happier...and neither could they.

Because we can....our new president elect has moved us from fear to belief...what a fantastic feat. He has reclaimed our nation and has moved us from cynicism to belief in a future that we are yet to see. He is a visionary that allows our people to envision the best that we can become. He challenges us to rise to our best potential. He challenges us to do our best and be our best. He is our empowerment Leader. With his belief in us, we all will rise to our separate and unique occasions. We WILL become all that we are able to become. Our country is great because of the people who we share the belief that all things are possible...and tonight proves that when asked to provide our best...the American people can be relied on to find the leader among us and rely on his BRAVERY! God Bless our Country and our new President Elect - Barack Obama!!!!

Caring versus Criticizing

How is it that we do not 'see' the caring...Why is it that an observation, a musing or a question can be mistaken for a criticism. It is not intended to be viewed that way. As I visited relatives recently, I noticed that the advice and concern that is voiced is often taken as an indictment of behavior. I see how it can be misconstued and how the message receiver can be confused and hurt. What a shame...the intention is to show compassion and caring and it somehow gets turned into hurt feelings. So, what is the process that 'softens' the delivery of the message? Perhaps there is no method that would allow the message to be delivered without someone taking offense. How hard it is to share knowledge in a way that is acceptable to the listener. It seems as though the farther apart the relationship, the easier it is. Conversely, the closer the relationship, spouse, child, parent, the more likely the receiver 'interprets' the message ascribing ulterior motives to the message sender. Sometimes the message sender is just trying to relate their concern.

So, perhaps the solution is to take a deep breath and just listen to what is being said. Don't read too much into the 'behind the scenes' motives because perhaps there are none.