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The Biggest Lesson

When I was laid off from my job as an HR and Program Manager for a small IT contractor, I knew it was a blessing. Why? Because I was not working in a field I was passionate about. When the company lost its final contract, I decided to follow my dream of becoming a novelist and have not spent one day regretting this decision. I’m finally doing what I love, but the road was not easy.

I enrolled in a graduate program to earn my MFA in Creative Writing as a single mother. My daughter was nine years old at the time and I had no idea where money for the gymnastic lessons, sleep away camps and vacations she loved would come from, but miraculously it did. Yes, there have been challenges and there is nothing worse than the fear of not knowing how I’ll meet our financial needs on a monthly basis, but when I decided to stop worrying and have faith that everything would work out for the best, blessings began to unfold.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that there is always an opportunity for growth and greatness, even in our darkest moments. Just when we feel like giving up, like we can’t go on; that’s when we must push on. There is likely a rainbow on the other side but it’s up to us to find it because they are not always obvious. Even when the world feels like its crashing down, there is an opportunity for growth, but if we are not careful, we can miss these blessings in disguise.

And pushing on does not need to be all on your own either. Asking others for help has always been one of my biggest challenges. It’s not that I’m afraid people will say no, so much as the vulnerability that comes along with asking. I had it in my head for a long time that asking for help was a sign of weakness; that it was burdensome to put my responsibilities on the shoulders of others. But then one day while reading, I discovered a new perspective. When we ask for help, we send a message out into the universe that we are open and willing to make our dreams a reality. It’s like saying: Yes, I want it!

What I hadn’t realized was that by refusing help, I was blocking myself from blessings that were waiting to unfold and what was most refreshing was I realized most people were like me; they enjoyed helping others whenever they could.

The next time you are faced with a challenge or disappointment I ask that you take a closer look at what might be working beneath the surface in your favor to improve your circumstances. There are opportunities for growth and greatness all around us and a simple switch in perspective can make all the difference.

Interested in writing for our Guest Blogger series? Email info@perkconsulting.net 
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R.K. Johnson, is the author of Gilded Girls, a coming-of-age novel for young adults that follows the lives of four African-American socialites during 19th century Washington, D.C. You may visit her website and blog at http://rkjohnsonnovels.wix.com/gildedgirls