"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

An Attitude of Gratitude

It seems like only yesterday, that I worked with the folks in the picture above. Yes, I'm in this picture too. However, at the same time, it seems like a lifetime ago, that I worked with these folks. Everyone shown has moved on. The station we worked for, stopped doing news many moons ago.

In this current economy there have been many cutbacks, and workers laid off from their jobs in numerous industries. Others, like me, have accepted voluntary buyouts from their companies, to take this opportunity to move forward, and change careers.

The process for me, has had it ups and downs. But, I have an attitude of gratitude. I'm grateful for my partner, who has stood by me, and believed in me. I'm grateful for my friend Kevin, who, with a passion for his craft, tutored me in my studies. I'm grateful for The Bay Area Video Coalition, for giving me the tools and instruction to learn new technologies!

I've been inspired by the process of pushing forward. I am eternally grateful to the those people I have met along this path. As the man in the bookstore prayed for me, so many moons ago, I'll never forget what he said, "God, keep her reminded, that you are going before her, preparing the way for her."

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

Alaska, The Last Frontier

In this tough economy, you have to find time to smell the roses, take time to recharge your batteries, it works in ways you can't imagine.

I was reminded on my recent visit to Alaska, just how precious, and short life is. I was dinning with my partner when we started talking with the family sitting next to us at dinner one night. It was a father, mother, and daughter in her mid twenties vacationing together.

I found an immediate connection with the father. We had both worked in our previous industries for over twenty years, and we both had done very well in our careers, but at the same we were ready, and currently entering new career paths. We stayed an additional hour at this restaurant visiting with this family, and enjoying their company.

Life is short, I'm thankful for my trip to Alaska, the endless, and beautiful scenery, and the wonderful people I met. I'm thankful that I'm not alone, in forging a new career path. (*forging per Webster:

2.	vt establish something with effort: to establish and strive to develop something with great effort.)

In this economy making a career change does take 'great effort'. Alaska's last frontier renewed my energy for the continued work ahead. vlb

5/5/2009 It's My Birthday:)

It's my birthday today. So far, I'm off to a great start, the love of my life gave me a one year membership to 24 hour fitness. Oh. happy day:)

My horoscope in the SF Chronicle today says:
TAURUS-(April 19-May 19) What use to come easy doesn't any more. This is good because it pushes you in a new and more creative direction.

Well, this is true. I started working when I was in senior high school, and I have not been without a job since that time. But, I was ready to move forward in a new and more creative direction. My last job had become stifling. After layoffs at the company, my schedule change to nights. Now my commute, built around shuttles and BART was compromised. There are no shuttle buses to my neck of the woods after midnight.

So, leaving all of that behind me, I am pressing forward to high calling of a new career path. It's hard work, but, I'm a skilled at hard work. Above is a picture I painted with the paint program on my computer. It's practice. But, it's representative of my life. Roots firmly planted in the ground, supporting my life, as I go through the process of branching out. vlb

In Development

My Life in Development

Today, I started the journey
Yesterday, I followed the path
Last week, I kept the faith
Last month, I prayed
Last year, I looked forward to the future
Many moons ago, I grew up
Tomorrow, is my birthday

by vlb, May 5, it's my day, it's the celebration of the beginning, of what was to become me, and there is no period at the end of the sentence, just the knowledge, that as before, my life is in development

May 1st 2009 & May Showers on Labor Day

May lived up to it's reputation today and brought in the showers.

It's also Labor Day. I so wish May had brought in a shower of jobs. But, maybe it will.

In my own job search, I had a welcome phone interview yesterday. Next week, I'll have phone interview#2. Will the week after bring the in person interview? and perhaps soon, a job?

Well, whatever happens, May is my month. I was born on May 5th, and my lucky number (if you believe in lucky numbers, hey, I'll take any advantage I can get.) is lucky number 5.

Summer resorts are hiring per the Associated Press-Here's the link:

Summer resorts hiring heavily among US unemployed

But, lets get real. Here's hoping that those of us out there looking for a job, will find one, soon, a job, that after this summer, will still be ours! vlb