Over the years I have held a number of paid and unpaid job positions. A strange variety of titles and responsibilities have molded and transformed me into the person I am today. A Resume of Life.
A Resume of Life
In the early years of high school, I was a nanny to three delightful Danish boys. Every summer morning found me pedaling my bicycle to a job I really enjoyed.
I also endured a typical teenage rite of passage by working in the foodservice industry. My first such job had me wearing a Mary Poppins type of costume while scooping ice cream and scraping out quarter tips left in the bottom of melted pools of stickiness.
Next, came dreams of grandeur as a retail sales clerk. This was a fashionably dangerous position that left me well dressed, but broke, most of the time.
I then found a worthwhile position that truly made a difference. Never before or since have I worked so hard as when I entered into the field of stay at home mom. To make ends meet I also ran a licensed daycare facility in my home. I get exhausted just thinking about it.
Friendship
My life continued to change with seemingly no rhyme or reason. Most of the positions I had obtained gave no deep thought as to how I had arrived at such a job. Soon came a five-year stint as a medical insurance specialist. I was thankful to have the job, but my spirit quietly suffered. The only beauty appeared in the form of long-lasting friendships which were bonded under bad conditions.
Alas, a prince did come and he whisked me away to a foreign island. It was there I became a student of the world and a homeschooling teacher to one. This was a tough but tender experience that now is a happy reflection on time.
From there we continued on our European adventure and I once again fell into a profession~ as a tour planner/guide for the U.S.O. My world exploded in a stream of beauty and experiences that I had never knew existed. We lived in a charming village and my neighbor Jean, an interior designer, opened a door I had never dreamed about knocking on.
Upon our return to the states, I was a happy stay at home mom who took courses in real estate staging and redesign as there was no university located nearby in which I could study interior design. I opened a staging and redesign business and saw it thrive in a short amount of time.
Another Move
Another move across the country had me close that business and reopen another. A chance for formal education presented itself. For the first time in my life, I was making well planned decisions about my career. As I grew closer to graduating I saw a once blossoming design industry take a hard hit in an ever continuing recession. How could this be? To have struggled and fought for so long in trying to realize who I thought I should be, only to have those dreams dashed, is a humbling experience.
So I prayed. I tried to make lists of what really mattered. Important things quickly rose to the top. Other, once important, aspirations fell swiftly to the bottom. Stopping for quiet reflection has brought about powerful knowledge. It often does when we stop to really listen to soulful whisperings.
Quiet Moments
During such quiet moments, I have found that all of my past professions, which I thought had nothing to do with one another, have created a tapestry of experience woven thoughtfully and lovingly by my Heaven Father. Each job has been a building block used to create the path upon which I currently stand. I am thankful to God for the possibility of a metamorphosis so beautiful that I cannot even fathom to see all that my future holds.
It is up to us to be open to experience a path set before us that we never knew we were capable of walking. No task is ever set before us that we cannot handle. This is a rich promise I know to be true. Beauty often emerges when we least expect it.
I am embarking on a new path filled with beauty and opportunity. I am thankful for the journey unfolding in front of me. Soon I will be sharing with you the direction life is taking me.
I currently feel a bit like a newly emerged butterfly flitting about between the responsibilities of home, family, school and career. But I would love to hear if you have ever found yourself at an unexpected crossroad and discovered a blossoming like no other.
Laura
YAY!!! Comments are back on! I love these photos! The clues are…well…mysterious! LOL! It's funny. I like butterfly images, but the real thing always creeps me out because, essentially they are just bugs. My MIL and Husband drug me into the Butterfly Pavilion at the MOS last year and I LOVED IT! I mean, it was still creepy a little, but the PHOTOS you can get in there!
I went through a transormation about six years ago, and I felt I'd found my true calling, until we lost our funding due to budget cuts, and I lost my job!
I keep telling myself that something even better is on the horizon, and there's a reason for everything.
honey, you've come into your own!!!
i was a nanny, too
Yay! I'm so happy we can comment again. I'm bursting at the seams to find out what I'm going to win! 😉
Beautiful insightful post Laura. Your life journal experiences backgrounded by the photos of butterflies was just breathtaking! We are the sum of our experiences…good and bad. I went through four job abolishments during a period from 1987 through 2005 but surprisingly even with the trauma of losing my job (four times in my career) I found a better position (and more pay) each time. I'm retired now and loving it!
You've been tantalizing us all with your lovely photos and enigmatic clues. I don't have any idea what you're giving away.
I feel like I've been in limbo for the past few years. I know that none of my past experiences are wasted or worthless, but I look at the future and wonder how it will all come together. I'm in school at present, another 18 months to go, Lord willing, and then I'll be enroute to teaching French. But I still feel uncertain – wondering how God is going to work it out. Trust and rest in God is my task and sometimes it's not easy.
Looking forward to hearing about the plans God has for you!
Gorgeous photos, and a beautiful post!
Debbie@houseatthelake
Such a heart stirring post, thank you!
I absolutely love the butterfly pictures- they are such a wonderful image of how God transforms us throughout life.
I am very excited to hear about your new chapter. In short, I had always been a working mom and 15 months ago the company I was working for laid me and some others off for economic reasons. That was the happiest day of my life…my hearts cry was to be a stay at home mom and God used this job and others as building blocks to get me where I am today. Romans 8:28, all the way… 🙂
I love how you also used the building block analogy..I often use it, too. It reminds me that God is in control and He never wastes anything. It's all part of His plan.
Blessings to you on your journey,
Erin
Hi Laura, I am anxious to hear your news! Like you, I had various careers and hobbies which seemed to have nothing in common, but with age, I look back and I see that God was working behind the scenes placing “stepping stones” and preparing me for the place I am in.
I wish for you much happiness and may God continue to bless you and your family.
You have a lot to look back on as we all do. It's what molds us, whether we knew it or not. And as women, we continue to wear many hats!
Great post, Laura and loved the photos!
xoxo
Jane
What are you up to? B
eautiful pictures. Did you win the show on Oprah? Hmmmmmm?
I love the way you presented your resume! Can't wait to see what's ahead of you!
(My whole life is a transformation story! I never thought I'd be where I am when I was in school (headed for the jet-setting, high business life), but I now cannot even imagine wanting that. I love my life and all that lies ahead is just an adventure!)
It's my first visit here, but I loved your story of growth and change, and the feeling of blossoming as you moved through each new place, stage in life and occupation. What an inspiring tale of life you've woven — I'm glad I stumbled in. 🙂
Laura, You have us all on pins and needles! Sounds like it is going to be big!! Beautiful post and I can't wait to see where your new journey takes you.
Hugs, Sherry
Lovely and organic pics, Laura; just beautiful…Life is indeed as fascinating and fragile a miracle as the life of a butterfly…
I enjoyed your post and learning more about you. I have found that I am drawn to people who believe as I, that everything happens for a reason. As I was reading your post I had to smile because I have had many different jobs very unrelated to each other, but found that they were each needed to teach me something. I always try to go with my gut or by feelings. If I am not sure of which path to take I am quiet and I wait for the answer to come to me. I am usually always rewarded by the best path shown to me, and if not, I consider it to be a lesson that I needed to learn before I could move on in my own little game of LIFE. I have a feeling that you will do well in where every your life leads you next.
I haven't a clue what the clue's are leading to!Insightful post. I can't wait to read what your new path is, knowing you are already on it.Laura you are a wonderful writer, I hope the path won't keep you from the blog. All the best
Laura, you have always been one to forge ahead no matter the challenges. This is why you are already a tremendous success in life. You have made the most of each step of your life and I thank you for sharing it in such an eloquent fashion.
Hi Laura. Well, I am definitely at a transition. After years of putting my kids first..they're both out of the nest. Time will tell. I enjoy reading your heartfelt stories of the changes you've gone through. Looking forward to seeing your latest! Trish
Laura,
I know I commented yesterday, but I just logged onto my computer, saw your comment about my post yesterday. Your words touched the inner most parts of my heart..and of course the teary eyes followed. Your words are Truth, and it saddens me so that so many will perish and never know.
Praying that the Lord reaches out to you in a most special way today,
Erin
Thank you for another wonderful post with gorgeous photos! You certainly have traveled many roads! My life has been more of a straight path so far–the bumps have been few.
I must admit I am anxiously awaiting your giveaway. The clues have me thinking in a direction–can't wait to see if I am remotely close!
Looking forward to hearing what your new plans are for your future.
Hi Laura, What a lovely post, a beautiful way to tell a life story with the butterflys! Gorgeous images!!
Bella
Wow, I love your butterflies as well as mine AND thanks for sharing your personal story!
Laura,
Reading, watching, waiting.
It's always HIS plan, never ours.
Your Friend,
Deborah
oh I adore your images my friend…I love butterflies.
Thanks for sharing my friend. xoxox
This sooo
reflects the
beautiful lady
that you are,
inside and out.
I'm really excited
to find out what
the next chapter
will be for you…???
I know it will be
something wonderful.
Thank you for sharing
such heartfelt thoughts,
Laura!
xx Suzanne
YES!!
In the middle of one right now!!
A NEW business venture for me too!
And loving every minute of it so far!!It is difficult at times, but I will learn so many new things which at my age is always good!!
hugs,
jamie
tired of being HOT though!!LOL
This will be so fun! Thanks for the new ideas.
beautiful site. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and pictures.