The Envy

I am so completely surprised at how many people are stopping by to see me to wish me well. More surprisingly, many are telling me that they envy me. The look of worry on everyone's face is apparent. Even those who are sole bread-winners for their family wish they were being walked out the door - just to get it over and done with! I know how they feel. When someone leaves the company of their own accord, that's one thing. When someone is let go, it's another thing. If that someone who is let go is in a department that needs to suffer some cuts for one reason or another, and that someone has been there for a shorter time than anyone else, or that someone is not a good performer for one reason or another, somehow we can justify the cut. If that someone is an exemplary performer, has a good attitude, and has been with The Company for a bit longer than the rest of the team, it becomes a huge threat to not only the rest of their team but to the rest of The Company. I saw it all around me and I saw them coming in my direction.

Yesterday was a very strange work day. I have busy work to finish up, but I'm taking my sweet time and not stressing about it. I'm having trouble focusing on the menial stuff, as is expected. As I go about my regular duties, I am convinced that I added value to the job, and to The Company. I can't help but be a little bit disappointed that the powers-that-be didn't see how much blood, sweat and tears I invested in The Company.

I got an interesting job prospect today. I promised myself I wouldn't jump into anything right away. I am looking forward too much to having some time off. However, the fact that people I know are beating the bushes already to find something for me is so awesome.

Somebody told me yesterday that, practically overnight, I look so much healthier and relaxed. Well, let's just agree that I AM. Could the stress of the atmosphere at work have made me sick? Oh, yes. Can I now get well? Oh, yes.

My boss thanked me for being so gracious about all of this. I told him it comes from the heart. Grace is my mantra, my motto. Things happen for a reason. This time is just a blip on the radar of our lives. When we look back on it, we want to think we handled it with aplomb, with grace, with a flair.

And, of course, this is a blessing. A push, a shove, a kick in the behind, a motivation, a hint that it is time to move on. No regrets, no bad feelings, and no turning back.

So, I move on to Day #2 of my two-week notice. Sad to think about it, but this is the last time I will see a lot of these people. They know it and I know it.