Sep
2
2011

Transitions to a New Life

25 comments

This is definitely something I have yet to talk about on my blog. I’ve hesitated to write this for personal reasons and I guess I just haven’t really been ready to write this post.

Until now.

Sometimes life is scary and can change suddenly. You’re pulled out of your comfort zone and asked to react.

What do you do when that happens? Most of the time, if you’re like me, you retreat or just stop because fear can be paralyzing. Fear can take over.

Or you can accept the uncomfortable. Walk with fear. And keep going.

And at that point you’ve either succeeded or you’ve made a mistake which can only lead to learning how to succeed next time. It’s a win-win situation in one form or another.

In the last 3 months my life has been flipped upside down, done a few back flips, twirls, jumping jacks (for good measure), and landed again in one piece. My life has been just a bit crazy, to say the least.

When my dad went into the hospital in early June, the doctors told us he had a week left to live. What the doctor thought was true at the time and it definitely scared us all. But doctors were able to put an experimental stent in my dad’s heart and it worked. He’s now home and he’s alive and my family and friends (and me!) are so thankful.

When that happened, I decided to leave work and drive the three hours it took to get to the hospital where my dad was admitted. I didn’t know how much time we had left with him and I wasn’t about to spend it any other place but with him. I will never regret the decision to spend time with my family, but when I left work that day there were repercussions.

Those repercussions of the two days I took off work included having my job being placed on Craigslist without any warning. I’m not going to get into the details of any of that because this blog is my happy place and that wasn’t the happiest memories. The circumstances being as they were, it was truly a blessing in disguise. I was miserable at my job. I wasn’t treated fairly and I was certainly not happy there. And yet, at my own fault, I stayed for 3 years.

Now that I’m happily personal training, blogging, recipe-making, and repairing myself from those 3 years, I’m truly able to work on myself. I feel as though I’m more alive than I have been in a long time. I’m happy (most of the time). And new and incredible things are happening. More information on that is to come but for now I’m just glad to be releasing all of this from my brain emotions fingers. I swear, typing posts are my therapy. And I love my blog for it. And I love all of you for interacting with me through my blog. ;)

Anyway, it’s time to explain the transitions to a new life.

In the process of learning more about me and letting life come at me full force, doors opened wide and I guess you could say that I threw myself into those openings.

I’m officially working a few hours a week in the Public Safety sector. I’m the newest member to the local community college’s Fire Academy exercise training program! My job is to safely and effectively kick some fire fighters-in-training booty with strength workouts, running, sprint and core workout. I’m assisting two other instructors in getting them in [better and best] shape to pass their physical training test. Ultimately I’m helping them in their quest to become Public Safety Officers. I’m shaping fire fighters. ;)

The 28 cadets to be trained scared the living kale out of me. Me be a teacher? But after the first day I can honestly say it was well worth the nervousness because every new step is a new and incredible learning opportunity!

Oh, and that’s not all. Meet Lori, New Member Integration and Outreach Coordinator for the prestigious gym in my area. I’m meeting new members, integrating them into the club so they feel welcome and comfortable with all that the club has to offer. I’m personal training and eventually teaching group classes (it’s only been one week since I started). I am also doing community outreach to get more businesses and people of the community healthier (or giving them the option) and doing weekend farmers market and Organic Grocer, New Earth, exercise classes.

Can I just say that I love my job. Already? YES! So far I’ve gotten to know the most incredible people and I’m already learning SO much from them. I’m getting to try out different classes the club offers and I get to develop my own class programs with the option of starting my own class series to whip gym-goers into shape. It’s a new position design with me in mind so how could I ever not be happy with it? ;)

I’m so happy now but taking the plunge into the unknown or something different is so scary. I’ve been building myself up, my self-esteem, lately to get the point where I can do those scary things. But it’s not easy to get to this place. Practice for any area of life makes perfect as they saying goes but I think something a little more accurate might be “Practice makes change awesome”. What do you think?

Where are you lacking confidence? Where and how have you battled it?

What area of your life are you going through transitions?

What do you have faith in?

(p.s. all of these pictures are from a few months ago when I hiked Half Dome, Yosemite National Park and faced that fear. It was beyond worth it.)

Hi everyone, I'm and this is my blog What Runs Lori.

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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }

Heather/HippieChristian September 2, 2011 at 7:23 AM

WOW.WOW.WOW!! i am SO happy for you Lori :) I don’t really KNOW you, but this makes my heart smile.
This reaffirms my belief that “God works ALL things to the greater good.”
He took something that could have been disastrous and turned it into the best thing for you!
So.cool!
Um…can I be an outreach coordinator?? How fun is that?!
This is truly an inspirational story and one that reassures me how bad situations can turn out wonderfully.

hmmm-where am i lacking confidence? well, sometimes it’s speaking with conviction. writing-no prob. speaking it-i struggle :)

area of my life where i’m transitioning: job. definitely. been interviewing and applying like crazy. also-where i live. STILL getting used to big city life.

what i have faith in: God and His promises :)
Heather/HippieChristian´s last [type] ..Books and Busyness

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Lori September 2, 2011 at 7:56 AM

Thank you! This comment means a lot to me and I, too, believe that God (or something out there) works ALL things to the greater good… WHEN we’re ready.
:)

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Pamela @ girlgonewestblog.com September 2, 2011 at 8:05 AM

I’ve been following you for a while now, and while I’m sorry your old job (which sounds like a terrible place, to not understand needing to be with you family in a time of illness!) let you go, it sounds like you’ve managed to land on your feet. I’m in the process of finding a job in a new city, and while it’s only been two weeks since I arrived, I’m ready to be officially situated in my new life already! Thank you for affirming my thoughts that success takes patience, and a bit of good luck. I’m glad your journey has taken a good twist – wish me luck with mine!
Pamela @ girlgonewestblog.com´s last [type] ..It’s Official

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Ally @ Sweet & Savory September 2, 2011 at 9:36 AM

Good for you! So happy to see things are turning around. My husband is a police officer so I know all about their training at the academy and one their own at home, I’m sure you’ll do a great job for them! As they need to be at their BEST to do their job:)
Ally @ Sweet & Savory´s last [type] ..Loaded Beer Brats

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Amber Shea @Almost Vegan September 2, 2011 at 10:33 AM

I cannot believe your old job did that to you. I would be…just, livid. What horrible nerve. BUT clearly that cloud had a beautiful silver lining – I’m SO happy to hear that you’re already in love with where you’re at with the new job. Hurray for doing what you love!!
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan´s last [type] ..VVC day 3, part 2: lunch, Galarama, late-night snacks

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Ela September 2, 2011 at 10:53 AM

WOw. This is stunning and beyond awesome. The pics too.

I’m so happy that you spent time with your dad–and I’m happy for you that you lost that job as a result: it didn’t sound like it was fulfilling you in any meaningful ways.

And what a wonderful new ground you’ve broken for yourself! SO inspiring. Training firefighters? That’s only about as hardcore as it gets…

Me lack confidence? Oh, socially, in my body, as a writer, as a friend–probably every which way. And being too messy ;)
Battle it: just carry on, point out to myself all that I get done, make to-do lists because then I can check stuff off.

Since I started my MFA program, definitely some transitions happening in terms of jigging prioritizations and making more time to write.

Congrats again!
love
Ela
Ela´s last [type] ..Banana Energy Bars; (Pseudo)Grains–Good or Bad?

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Kelly September 2, 2011 at 11:17 AM

So so so proud of YOU! XO!
Kelly´s last [type] ..photo friday

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Lori September 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM

Thank you, Kelly!

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amy@healthyhungryhappy.com September 2, 2011 at 11:22 AM

that is SO awesome Lori!!! that jobs sounds incredible I’m sure you will love it and be amazing at it!! congrats on figuring it all out. im still workin’ on it! :)
´s last [type] ..Back To School…

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Katie September 2, 2011 at 12:45 PM

I’m speechless, which rarely happens. The tone of this post says it all. You exude happiness. I couldn’t be more ecstatic for you!
Katie´s last [type] ..Grab Bag: Get funky

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Lori September 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM

I love you, Katie. You’re a great friend. Truly. :)

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Pure2raw twins September 2, 2011 at 1:34 PM

Lori you are truly amazing person!!! I am so jealous that Michelle got to meet you and not me haha one day right!!! I can not believe your old job did that to you!!! Seriously people/companies surprise me everyday! and not always in a good way. I am so happy for you and that your dad is well! and that you love your new job! that is what life is all about enjoying and living it! xoxo
love our little gchats too :)

Lori
Pure2raw twins´s last [type] ..{grain-free} pumpkin muffins

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Lori September 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM

You girls are inspirations to me. I’m more than grateful we’ve met. :) You both bring me smiles!

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yo yo mama September 2, 2011 at 9:45 PM

I love YOU.

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Mel September 3, 2011 at 6:31 AM

What a truly inspiring post Lori! I am so happy for you and your success. Keep going and don’t get complacent. You are a hero.

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Sable@SquatLikeALady September 3, 2011 at 7:42 AM

My friend. My dear dear friend :) I don’t comment very often because…well lately it’s been a time crunch (FT job + FT school + 2 freelance writing jobs)…but I am ALWAYS reading. And I sort of sensed that something had shifted that you weren’t coming out and telling us, and for a moment I was worried about you — but now I am smiling :) Truly, sitting in Starbucks smiling! :) Everything happens for a reason. And there is ALWAYS always a door waiting to open if you’re ready to knock on it. This is so wonderful and I am so happy for you!

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Tessa @ Amazing Asset September 3, 2011 at 3:17 PM

Hi Lori!
Although I have only read your blog a few times, I can tell from this post that you are a truly strong and wonderful person! Everything happens for a reason and that is something I live by.
That is full on BS that your old job did that to you! Like seriously wth
Oh well and good riddance, you are in a better place now :)
Tessa @ Amazing Asset´s last [type] ..Comment on Reflecting While Looking Forward by tessa8m

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Tessa @ Amazing Asset September 3, 2011 at 3:19 PM

Hi Lori!
Although I have only read your blog a few times, I can tell from this post that you are a truly strong and wonderful person! Everything happens for a reason and that is something I live by.
That is full on BS that your old job did that to you! Like seriously wth
Oh well, you are in a better place now. :)
Tessa @ Amazing Asset´s last [type] ..Reflecting While Looking Forward

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Kristina @ spabettie September 3, 2011 at 3:19 PM

AWESOME, girl! I’m so happy and excited for you… it’s definitely one of those when one door closes a BETTER one opens! I know, cliche, sorry! ;)

happy things are all good, especially with your Dad. XO
Kristina @ spabettie´s last [type] ..kohlrabi cure all

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Natalie @ Cinnamon Bums September 3, 2011 at 7:24 PM

wow – what an inspirational post. you are SO strong lori, and i love that about you. your new jobs sound pretty amazing – training firefighters, that is not only noble but i’m sure it will be enjoyable and rewarding as well!!! and new member outreach coordinator – i like that that is a relational job! are you by any chance working at courtside club?!

anyhow, since this is my last year in school, i feel like i will be coming upon a huge life transition soon… definitely helps to hear awesome stories like yours to keep me assured that everything will be fine!
Natalie @ Cinnamon Bums´s last [type] ..New Theme: Selecta

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tea-bagginit September 4, 2011 at 9:40 PM

what a truly inspirational post! i’m so sorry that your old job treated you so poorly but i’m so happy that life is working out just like it should! you deserve nothing but the best & i’m glad you’re finally getting it!

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Chuck September 5, 2011 at 11:28 PM

Just want you to know that you and your dad are in my prayers every night.

Sounds like you have an incredible about amount going on!! Life is so funny that way, but God has an amazing plan for us all
Chuck´s last [type] ..Coconut Meat Sauce

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Lee September 7, 2011 at 3:04 PM

I love this post. I agree, a blog should be your happy place so share away! I am so excited/proud of you with your new job. It seems like you love it thus far so that is a good sign! I too am gearing up for some big change. I have 1 more year left of college and then BAM- I’m a real person. I am nervous, yet excited to see where life takes me. I miss you Loriii!
Lee´s last [type] ..Good Mornin’ Oats

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