Friday, June 27, 2014

Adjusting My Sails Once Again...


    For the past three years, I  have been trying to regain my footing in the working world.  It has been quite a challenge, but I am delighted to announce that I was recently hired by my local public library to work as a Librarian. Ironically, this is the same position that I left after 11 years to go and work for the school board. The job I later lost due to school library closures.  Since then, I've been trying to adjust my sails and find a new direction.

   When the posting for my previous job came out, I debated about whether or not to submit my resume. I somehow viewed it as going backwards. A step in the wrong direction.  However, after much contemplation and consideration (and using my husband as my sounding board, therapist and the voice of reason) I decided to give it a go. I had my interview this past Monday.  What grueling one it was - an hour long, two people interviewing me, 24 in depth questions and 3 reference checks! After what felt like an eternity, I was offered the job yesterday afternoon.
   I have to say that I am thrilled. After working not one, but two jobs for minimum wage, getting laid off once again, and not getting more than 5 calls for supply teaching in 6 months, I was starting to feel like I would never again find my niche in the employment world. This opportunity couldn't have come at a better time.
   I used to hate it when people would say to me after the school libraries closed "Everything happens for a reason!" It seemed so cliche. Sure people don't know what to say at times, but that phrase just made me even more sad. "What reason?" I'd often ask myself.  I could never come up with an answer.  I have to admit, as much as I detest the overuse of this saying, it does ring true. I do believe that things happen for a reason. We just have to accept the fact that sometimes we will just never know what that reason is. 

    Whatever the reason, I especially believe that certain people come into our lives when we need them the most, whether we know it at the time or not. If I had never left the public library job in the first place, I would have had 21 years of seniority. Those years of seniority however, cannot replace what I have gained.  If I had never left, I would never have been able to do something that I truly loved for 7 years, AND have Christmas, March Break and Summer holidays with my kids during their formative years.  I also wouldn't have met some truly wonderful people along the way.  People who I am blessed to have developed true and lifelong friendships with.  Nor would I have had the opportunity to finally obtain not only my Library Technician Degree, but also my Bachelor of Education (something I have wanted to do since I first graduated from University back in 1993!). Somewhere along the way, I also discovered my love of baking and from that The Bookish Baker was born!
    Sometimes in the winds of change, whether we are looking for it or not, we somehow find our direction. With that said, I am very much looking forward to once again working at the public library. It will be for me akin to going home.  I look forward to re-uniting with former co-workers and library patrons while getting to know new ones. I have once again found a path on which to continue my journey and for that I feel  truly blessed.

     If you need any good summer novels, you know where to find me.



  The bookish part of me will be at the library, but never fear.... the baker in me will always find time in the kitchen.  I can't wait to check out the baking section of the library... imagine the possibilities!

2 comments:

  1. I picked up your card at the Family Deli - and just logged on to check out your space. Congratulations on your new role. I want to quickly say something about 'everything happens for a reason' - I get as frustrated as you do at that saying, so in my head, I have switched it to say - 'everything happens to set you on a new path' even if it is a simple detour to give you a new view/perspective. I love that you said ' sometimes you don't get to know the reason' - that too is true...so when you put it into the visual of a map, you know the reason now - time to be taught something.
    I hope that you have a great next part to your journey. I look forward to hearing more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Everything happens to set you on a new path" I love that Lora! Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring words.

      Delete

Thanks for visiting my blog! I love to read your comments and hear about what's happening in your kitchen.