There are times in your life when you feel the clear presence of a metaphorical crossroads. Whether you believe in destiny and fate or think that the path that you choose is your own and there are no external forces governing it is regardless; you still will have felt that you have reached a curve in the road or a sign post that allows you to sit back and take stock of your surroundings. It might be a point in your life with a friend; you stand there together hand in hand and they chose the other path. You watch them disappear off into the distance before taking those first baby steps into your future. I felt like that when my substitute older sister went home. To Australia.
I don’t know what I believe, but right now I feel that the events of the last few months can’t be just coincidence. I have always been a firm believer in the “what will be will be” mentality, and today I find myself standing at the junction ready to decide to take the high road or the low road. No one is there with me to hold my hand and reassure me, but there is a quiet calm in being able to make that decision and do what I feel is best for me.
Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America. Millions of you gathered at your tables to tuck into turkey and all the other yummy goodies on offer, and I sat in my flat and pondered my surroundings.
Yesterday I lost my job. It’s a long story but the abridged version is that the contract I work on was not renewed, and therefore from New Year’s Eve I have no position at the company I have worked in for two years. There is a weird loophole in the law whereby I can start on the 1st of January with the new company in London, but essentially my day to day life will end from then.
Yet I feel a sense of serenity. Maybe I need a life break, or a career change, or both. What I do know is that I have a lot of decisions to make and I am lucky enough to have people in my life that will help me. My housemate and sister to pick me up like a small child who has grazed her knee, the lawyer to give me an emotional crutch and legal jargon and my parents to let me know that despite what I think, everything will be OK.
New Year’s Eve has always been my favourite night of the year; granted all the parties have so much hype and are never quite as exciting, but I have always thought it to be a mentally cleansing day; a time when you can rise like a phoenix from the flames into the New Year and start afresh. I love turning the pages in a new diary and feeling like the world is my oyster, and this year will be all the more poignant. 2011 has been a year of hospital visits, arguments and break ups, but 2012 will be my year. Forget the Chinese calendar; it’s the year of Belle.
So I might be a little late to the party, but a comment from a wise man yesterday gave me food for thought, and my reason to be thankful. OK so I may have reached a point of uncertainty in a lot of strands of my life (as John Mayer, life guru would say “might be a quarter life crisis, or just a stirring in my soul”. Profound 🙂 ) but I have had the chance to do what I love and meet people for it. I’m always overwhelmed by the little community of people I have here so I want to take the time to you all for reading, commenting and following. The stats are pretty impressive; seven hundred and ten slightly crazy people around the world get my posts in their reader as I post them, so special thanks to you lot!
With positivity and new beginnings in mind, I would love for you all to head on over to imcookingnolooking.wordpress.com this weekend. It’s our new project!! I will of course remain here on a daily basis (I wouldn’t abandon you!) but Jules and I are branching out in our quest for world domination. It’s currently a work in progress with a working title but I would love to hear your feedback. I can announce it will be called ‘Tinkering in the Kitchen’ and is intended to be a collaborative effort with some of my favourite blog friends from around the world. If anyone wants to participate, drop me an email at laura.tinker@hotmail.co.uk. It’s going to be a whole heap of fun and with a bit of luck and a lot of graft we plan to change the face of the ‘quick’ ready meal for a healthier future.
And with that, fair reader, I bid you adieu (for today anyway!)
‘Belle xx
Tinkerbelle 
Lovely post Belle! Really hit a note with how Im feeling at the moment too. Almost counting down to new year so I can start a fresh year with a clear mind 🙂
Your new blog sounds interesting cant wait to hear more from you with a foodie twist (my fave kind of twist!) x x
I’m struggling with the styling of it but I am learning up like a right Internet geek!!
sorry to hear that you lost your job 😦 but you know the saying, every fall has a silver lining.
ok i made that up.
🙂
I had the same thing happen to me about 8 years ago: a layoff that would happen right at the holidays. It looks like you have a good attitude about. Make sure to take care of yourself during the transition as it is very stressful.
Sorry to hear about your job loss, but you have a great outlook about it. Life is all about change, after all.
Sometimes when we are forced to make a change it works out better than you can ever imagine. My dad was in a situation like this about 12 years ago, where he was fired from a job, and it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He owns his own company now and is doing what he loves, and that wouldn’t have happened had he stayed in the other job. Good luck to you! woowoowoo
So much clarity in your words. I am glad you are finding serenity in change. Looking forward to following your new venture.
Thanks!
stepping stones, in order for us to go forward we must step across stepping stones, this is where you will take the next step in your journey of life, it is an adventure, remember, life is not about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself. (~_~)
as for cooking, my wife makes what I call, “sea burrito” the way you make crab stuffing for stuffed crab, and rolls it in a flounder (or any flat fish) held with a tooth pick, yummy yum yum…………..wishing you the best of luck
Things have a way of working out. Best of luck! And thanks for taking time to read my blog entries.
Wow – While I was chowing down on turkey, you were faced with this! I hope that you will know with certainty and faith what to do next and I am excited to see your new blog!
Hi Tink! I find myself in very similar circumstances to yours. Can’t go into detail about it at this time, but I, too, am looking into a future of uncertainty in my professional life. It’s scary, and really exciting. Mostly exciting, I think. I’ve been hearing a whisper for a year or two that it was time to move on, but fear kept me clinging to something that just no longer fit me. Now the whisper has turned into a sledge hammer and I really have no choice, but to move on. And I know that good awaits.
In the last couple months I’ve come to realize how truly wealthy I am – the support of friends and family has been overwhelming to me – I had no idea there were so many people who valued me and cared about me. I know you’re finding the same wealth in your life, too. I love the expectancy of good you show in your post. I look forward to hearing about all your many future adventures…
I am sorry for the loss of your job, but your outlook on life is GREAT and I have no doubt you wil lland firmly on both feet!
BTW I am a total Mayer fan and loved your reference!
Keep your chin up and good luck with your new endeavor!
I love him. I think I oculd go through life never listening to anything else.
2012 The year of the Belle! WooHOO!!!
All best to you as you go forward! Because it’s clear that you are determined to do just that, and not worry and wallow needlessly; there *are* stresses in such a big change, but a woman with your wit and thoughtfulness and support networks will go through it all with flying colors, I have no doubt whatsoever. Cheers to you, Belle!
Sorry about the job. But I like your attitude about it. That’s the sprit!
Good luck 🙂
I’m going right now to imcookingnolooking.
Good luck with your job search and your new blog!
So what do your New Year plans hold for you? I know you have a burning desire to travel – is that going to feature prominently?
Good luck with whatever you find yourself doing!
Oooooo you’ll have to wait and see. Ill be the Queen before long. I have really realistic goals.
Every change is an opportunity… sometimes we can plan them, sometimes we just have to make the best of it… Looks like you have a lot of talent so I can’t imagine that you would not end up on your feet. I am looking at a life change as well… trying to figure out how to share and blog about it. Your blog is an inspiration… thanks for sharing and good luck (not that you’ll need it!)
You are awesome !! Got nothing else to say 🙂
Oh.. thank you! 🙂
Congratulations with your new blog venture! It’s always fun to see something new coming together that you are excited about.
Best wishes.. in adversity there is opportunity, or so I like to believe.
Love the Healthier Future remark. I am working my way there too. It’s not always easy when your tiptoeing towards veganism. Thanks for visiting my blog. I’ll have to check out your new venture! Got any interesting vegan recipes?
Good luck with your new venture!
All of the greatest things in my life were preceded with adversity. I think you are on the right track in taking it as a sign and opportunity!
I will check out your new site!
Good luck with everything!
Hi Laura! 🙂
Hope you get a new job real soon – you have a lot of positives in your life, so I hope you find your way! 🙂
Love and prayers for you.
Prenin.
Hi
Just stumbled upon your blog today via Bipolar2Happiness and am very pleased I did. Love your writing, and your humor. Am looking forward to reading more 🙂
I am, of course, sorry to hear you lost your job. It does somehow seem symbolic that the New Year is bringing with it new opportunities! I hope there are many for you.
Take care,
Sara
So sorry to hear about your job! I hope it all works out for you and that you find an even better one really soon!!
I feel your pain! You might not feel it right now, but sometimes it actually is a blessing in disguise! My younger brother and a close friend of mine are going through similar stuff and I try to be there for them, so at least they know that no matter what they have ppl to count on. I, myself, am taking stock (and reaching a point where it might get annoying to those who read my blog :p) and it’s so hard to take a step into the unknown yourself. Either way, something that might be painful now, can turn out to be exhilarating later…good luck and keep us updated 🙂
Sorry to hear about your job. “An obstacle is often an unrecognized opportunity.” Hang tough, and good luck with your new blog!
Yay Tinkerbelle! I’m so happy this crossroads is turning out to be so serene and inspiring. I am thankful for YOU (and our impending world domination)!
Also, John Mayer lyrics are amazing. One of my favorites (“Stop This Train”): “Had a talk with my old man / He said turn 68, you’ll renegotiate / Don’t stop this train / Don’t for a minute change the place you’re in.”
Good luck on the cooking blog. Let me know if you figure out how to make money!
Les
Hi Belle, many people have expressed to you that they are sorry that you lost your job. I too am sorry, but I really think its awesome that you are handling this situation with such serenity and calm. I went through something similar in recent months and you will be fine. My folks told me something when it happened and it was this, “The birds leave their nests in the morning, knowing that somehow God will feed them.” I will keep my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks for the great post, losing a job is a kind of way of re-looking at life and re-evaluating what it is you really want to do and how you want to go about doing it… Good Luck in the new chapter in your life and I look forward to checking out your new blog 🙂
Oh lady, I’m so sorry about the job. I’m glad that you are handling things so well and finding peace in the midst of all this. *hugs*
Somehow, I can’t help feeling like you’ve maximized and grown in every nook and cranny of your natural delight… and that you need more room to sparkle and flow.
Hep! Hep! to new adventures, darling girl.
Meredith
I love this comment! thank you!
So sorry to hear about this. I can only echo what others have said, a door may be closing, but a window may be opening.
Good luck Laura, I know amazing things are on the way for you and you’ll kick butt whatever you decide to do!
Yikes I haven’t read your blog in ages! Sucks about you losing your job after the new year, but everything will be alright, I’m sure of it. I’ve had 6 jobs this year as it is, there’s always something else 🙂
I am firmly in the “everything happens for a reason” camp, so this door that closes yields to another that opens. I’m sure an even better opportunity will present itself to you. Good luck!
There is a saying that when one door closes another opens. It is hard losing a job and the uncertainty that comes with it. You have a very positive attitude and so many blog friends…I know you will make the best of the situation.
I’m sorry you lost your job…. but the certainty of it already being gone is better than the uncertainty of maybe losing it. You are needed elsewhere, that’s why your contract ended. 😉
Everyday is thanksgiving for me. somewhere, someone is always much worse off than I am. Not that misery loves company, but it helps keep me in check! God is more than able, “He” can find you another job. Hebrews 11:6
Hi Tinkerbell…..glad I tripped on over to your blog. Of course it’s scary now, and it sucks to loose your job, but, hey, one day at a time. Just use the old standby quote, “remember be here now”. (short for Remember we live in the here and now, not tomorrow!) With all us bloggers cheering for you, something good’s gonna come along.
Sorry to hear about the job as losing one is difficult in many ways … and it effects each of us differently as each of us also handle it differently. Sometimes these moments lead to something new – unfortunately we don’t know when the new time comes. After all, when is tomorrow.
I’ve always said that the toughest question in life is “What do I want to do when I grow up?” It never ends – and situations like this causes one to wonder even more. So stay positive – chose a course – have a plan to navigate it – and be flexible to deal with the surprises, yet focused enough to lead you to the next solid stone on your path.
thanks for visiting & “liking” my post….my best to you as you go through your transition. May 2012 be your year…
I enjoy your positive outlook, especially during these trying times. Thank you for the inspiration. And, thank you for visiting!
I know what you mean. We’re losing our house soon, and I love it here, but life just will insist on taking you where you’re supposed to go. In the end, when you’ve done the best you can it’s easier to swim downstream than up. Often I’ve found change to be the universe giving me a gentle nudge out a place I didn’t know I had moved beyond, if you get my drift. Thanks for checking in on my blog frequently.
I’ve just stumbled across your blog and you have such a beautiful writing style. It’s as if I’m sitting next to you on the couch (with a glass of wine) and you’re chatting. Love it.
Good luck with the new venture ❤
Perception is reality and attitude is everything.
Your attitude will see you through. Like everyone else here, I agree, you rock.
Enjoy always, T
I didn’t know you were Imcookingnolooking I just clicked the follow button, I thought it was great.
Take care and all the best for 2012, the right door will open for you,
Blessings RosieG
Decisions taken out of our hands such as your job situation are the most frightening, and yet in my experience often most closely resemble fate. Sometimes letting go is hard, security is a hard blanket to abandon voluntarily! I wish you well and somehow have the feeling you WILL be well – look forward to your new project and have just tweeted it to all-and-sundry! 😉
Whenever a door closes, another one is bound to open. But sometimes, we keep staring at the door that closed, we do not see the door that opened for us. I hope you’ll find another job you will enjoy soon!
Thanks for visiting!
I’m so glad for your honesty in your postings sometimes. A year ago, I was in the same boat as you – I was on a grant that was not renewed and the administration had no foresight to put me into their budget…so I was without job. It’s scary but also liberating. For the last 6 months I’ve had TIME to figure out what I want, do things that I care about, start new endeavors (Yay, http://www.roamyoursoul.com!) and really find that serenity and peace and CLARITY to find that next job. I don’t want to be a drone and I want to do something I care about…so now I get to take the time to find out what that is. Good luck to you, sister. You are amazing and will be sure to find something that is good for you. If it doesn’t come right away, don’t panic (like I did!) – things have funny ways of working out. I’m still looking for that next great job…but having a LOT OF FUN in the meantime! Congrats on your new endeavor as well!