|click image for full size|

If you saw the “Friday Files” announcement last week, you know today is my 1st day back to work in nearly 4 years. Out of full-time employment since mid-late February 2012, I start a part-time job today! I am excited & apprehensive; the unknown can be scary. But, don’t we face the unknown every day? Some unknowns just aren’t as noticeable, right!?

I’m ready for this, & yet I’m not. I didn’t accomplish nearly as much in the last few days as I wanted, but everything has a time & place. Where will this opportunity take me? I don’t know, but I’m intrigued to drive down the road!

This past Monday, I reviewed & filed-archived the documentation (i.e. business cards, pamphlets-booklets, letters, etc.) I accumulated from companies during this job hunt. It was weird seeing all of the businesses & jobs I thought I would get, but didn’t. While it was melancholy to see where all I’ve applied & visited via interview, the paperwork served as a reminder of the variety of people I’ve met along the way & what all I’ve learned during that time. Among the lessons: renting a car to drive 6 hours for a job interview “on a whim & hope” is multi-leveled awesome, even if the job isn’t offered to you after receiving a strong indication it will be. Another important lesson is just how good family & true friends are during the job hunt process: interaction on Old Cars, Strong Hearts, my website, calls, Emails, contacts, meals, fellowship, support, etc.

Just after midnight each day, I check the “Facebook memories” option to see what I’ve personally posted & what I posted on the Facebook page in years past (in order to choose OC,SH’s 1a US central “Quantum Leap” feature). I posted on my personal wall 3 years ago today, 12/09/2012, literally 10 days before I launched OC,SH, in part: “I am tired, weak, worn, stressed, but I’m alive. Part of me wants to be DONE; part of me wants to believe in hope; part of me wants to get in 1 of my cars & “drive so far they’ll all lose track.” I’m not sure which way to go?” Then, I wrote on my personal wall, 12/09/2014, in part: “Today, did a few things (lots more to do) & watched ‘CHiPs’ & other vintage favorites; talk about a ‘who’s who’ of actors & actresses! Feel stuck, far behind & sinking, literally & figuratively. Can’t get warm or settled. Paying bills with evaporating savings reminded me of this heard Friday: ‘Positivity doesn’t put money in the bank account.’ Not sure about hope, but I am positive.” & now, 12/09/2015, it appears life is about to turn back around in an upswing fashion. I hope it lasts for a while this time.