The end is near! (I hope..)

Today I gave my official, final resignation to my most recent employer. I'd done this originally last Friday, but they really pushed back hard trying to retain me, offering lots of this and lots of that, asking me to take a couple days to reconsider. Their offers were far more than generous, going what I'd say is above and beyond. As such I agreed to give it a couple of days, but at the end of the day, it's not what I want at this point in my life. I want to simplify my life, take things away from it instead of inserting things into it. Everything they offered would have been a complication multiplier, but are things that we're 'supposed to' want. What I really want, really really want - is to make enough to support my family with a little extra left over, to come home at the end of the day and really come home, and to have some sense of job security and a lot of sense of job satisfaction. Fancy titles and bling can be a big temptation, and I believe I fell for it once. Now the thought of it rather repels me. I'm scheduled to start again with my former employer on 10/22. I won't manage people, won't manage departments, and will make far, far less than I'm making now.

And I couldn't be more excited.

The past 6 months have been incredibly draining on me. But what a beneficial time it's been, looking back on it (and I do SO hope it's over...). Upon leaving the former company, a few individuals voiced their opinion of me that was very, very negative. A result of that was I lost a great deal of self confidence - it's amazing how a few words from a few people can have such a dramatic effect on you. I need to remember that. But during the last months I've come to understand what I'm capable of, what my strengths are, what my desires are, and where I find the most satisfaction. Any self confidence I'd lost is back, plus some. I've been hugely successful in implementing things here that I was told were a lost cause elsewhere, so there's a certain sense of validation and satisfaction as a result of that.

Thanks to all for your support and prayers.