Light After a Layoff

About five years ago, I quit my corporate job. Yep. One day, I walked in and handed my boss my letter of resignation. I had just bought a house; just bought a car, and DID NOT have any money saved in bank. In fact, I had no plan. So what in the WORLD was I doing?? I was obediently listening to my inner guidance and stepping out on faith. Some people may not look at that scenario as a lay-off, but it sure felt like one to me, and minus the severance package. (Some of you with a severance package are actually ahead of the game!) It has been a challenging walk of faith. I won’t even begin to say it has been easy. But now, five years later, I can truly say it has been worth every step.

I know you have received a lot of great “practical” tips on coping with your lay-off. In addition to this great information, I would like to offer you some spiritual encouragement while you transition to the next level of greatness destined for you. It is my hope that you will be blessed, encouraged, and empowered.

Here are just a few “lessons” I learned along the way:

1. A JOB IS NOT MY SOURCE
I understood this point from an intellectual perspective when I had a job. But, when I no longer had a job and it was time to really STAND on this fact, it took on new meaning for me. I had to learn this spiritually. Most of us have been conditioned to believe that our job is the “end all be all”. Guess what? I shattered that myth and fortunately, you will too! I learned that God has infinite ways to bring resources, money, and opportunities to me. I simply needed to be open and ready to receive.

2. I AM POWERFUL
Initially, I felt worthless without a job. This is something I had to deal with that surprised me the most about myself. I didn’t realize how much I identified with a “title” or “company” until I didn’t have a business card to give out anymore. But what I learned by dealing with this is that my real worth is always rooted in the fact that I am a child of God. And that makes me powerful and worthy whether I work for a company or not. Only God can give me a sense of self worth that continues to grow stronger with each passing day.

3. THERE IS A PLAN & PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE
Leaving the confines of a traditional job was the best thing that could have happened to me. I found my purpose and my calling. I was afforded the freedom to explore many other areas that were previously out of my reach. For me, this could have never come to pass were I still employed.

4. GOD ONLY REVEALS ONE STEP AT A TIME
This was a hard lesson!!!! I had to stop thinking that I should “know everything”! I learned that thinking I “already know” what’s going to happen actually CUTS ME OFF from the real source of knowledge which is God. The faster this lesson is learned, the better. I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what was going to happen next. After much anxiety, sleepless nights, etc., I gradually learned to take one step at a time and follow the instructions for the day. That’s when things started falling into place. When we rely on our own power, we have cause to be anxious, because (in and of ourselves) we do not know anything. And thank God we don’t have to; for herein lies the blessing. The channels open for new opportunities to come our way.

5. DETOX IS GOOD
I had to let go of negative people, influences, TV shows, music, etc. I learned that negative people and influences were toxic to my progress. It became CRITICAL to surround myself with positive people who could encourage me; to read books that inspired me, to go places that uplifted me, and to laugh heartily. Stay focused on where you want to be and let the detox begin!

6. SERVE, SERVE, SERVE!
The minute I started feeling sorry for myself, I learned to take the focus off of me and put it on something or someone else. I learned that serving others was the BEST thing I could do. Oftentimes, the best ideas and instructions for the journey are revealed while being a blessing to someone else.

7. THE INNER VOICE IS NEVER WRONG. LISTEN.
This was one of the most challenging lessons, but the most important. I had to learn to quiet my mind to receive the instructions for what to do next. It is a waste of time to react out of fear to the situation. I learned that sometimes I could be given one simple step to do for the day. I had to resist the urge to perform100 tasks in one day to (make my ego) feel “productive”; running around like a chicken…frantic. Listening to the inner guidance saves time. For example, your inner guidance may tell you to make ONE phone call that day and spend the rest of the time playing with your kids. RESIST the urge to call this “lazy” and “unproductive”. You have been conditioned to believe that incessant “doing” is commendable. But this is the cause of much angst, sickness, chaos, ADD, ADHD, and C.R.A.Z.Y. I’m not saying not to do something, but don’t just “do something” out of guilt, fear, panic, or because you think your worth depends on how many tasks you complete in a day. Be obedient to your inner guidance. And you’ll be amazed at what that one phone call yields for you; and how happy your kids will be!

It is my hope that these lessons have been helpful to you. Be encouraged and know that if I can make it, you can too. The biggest lesson to take note of is that I am still here…and so are you! There is life after losing your job. You have more to give and more to receive. Take one step and one day at a time. God is with you ALWAYS!