Tomorrow starts a new chapter for my career… a new chapter for me. I must admit, I am so proud that I took the last six weeks off. In a culture of work and run as fast as you can, it can be hard to realize and say you need a break.

It took me taking a break to realize how far I had gotten away from my true self. I was surviving and not living. I knew this place before and never imagined I would let myself to get into such a hole again, but I did. As I started riding miles on my bike, reading chapters of books, and napping in the afternoon, I quickly saw how I had stopped laughing and smiling. I had stop being me.

I have to stop myself from feeling guilty that I had gotten to a place so far from my truth…especially when my 9 year old says, “I know your job was making you depressed.” I force myself to focus on the fact I decided to change the situation instead of focusing on how I had let it get to this point.

It is interesting how many of us find ourselves in such a pit of despair and wonder how we let it get so bad. We focus more on the guilt and shame of allowing ourselves to get to the point, instead of focusing on the strength it takes to finally realize we can make different decisions. Guilt and shame are the easy emotions to embrace, it takes so much courage to focus on the strength it takes to make a change, to do something difference. You have to search deep in your soul to lovingly accept the person you are… the person you decided to embrace and make decisions for.

Tomorrow I start a new job. A job I intentional accepted, a job with people I have respected and admired from a distance for a year. I am working for a company that understands the urgency and need to address school safety in new ways. I am starting with a company that feels like the perfect next step for me. It is what I consider a win/win. I know I will gain so much from working with them, and I can honestly say I much to offer them.

Tomorrow I will start as the Expert in Residence with Raptor Technologies. Tomorrow starts a new chapter. Tomorrow I will start to once again remember how my work can enhance who I am instead of taking away from it. Tomorrow starts the opportunity to help student safety across the country. Tomorrow starts a new dream.