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Reading childeoftheblood's journal

I've resigned from jobs before. Usually i would write a brief, detached, formal resignation letter. At one university where I used to teach, i filed a study leave for one semester and just never came back. As in all the other jobs, I have my reasons for leaving my job as educational consultant. They're the usual reasons. But what makes this different is that... I actually feel sad.

I remember feeling a sense of relief when i had resigned from other jobs. this is true for this one, too. But it is mixed with a certain measure of sadness. I'll miss this place. I'll especially miss my boss. She was not the usual kind of boss--the bossy types. She's more like a strong mother type. She wasn't a wuss, knew how to inspire fear and respect in her people. But she also treated me like a son.

Today I wrote my resignation letter. It went like this.

"I regret that your initial evaluation of my decision to go part-time is right: it’s not enough. As you know, I wish to spend more time and effort in taking care of my Bel-Air aroma-biotechnology business. It was you who said that if I wanted to do this, I should go all or nothing. I wish to pursue that now and am therefore tendering my resignation from EduQuest effective the 15th of September.
This decision, though I believe to be the right one, nevertheless saddens me. I have gotten used to the company, have become quite comfortable here. More than that, I have learned a lot from the company and especially appreciate how my skills have grown in making presentations and maintaining relationships, particularly in the area of customer care. I have also made friends here and I count you among them, and that makes this harder. Nevertheless, I feel that it is time for me to leave the security of employment and take the risky leap into business and pursue my goal of financial security.
Another thing I learned from you is never to burn my bridges. My link with EduQuest is one bridge I particularly have no desire to burn. Perhaps we shall meet again in the future. If I happen to, God forbid, fail in my endeavor, I shall perhaps be knocking again on EduQuest’s door. Or if I succeed and then decide to pursue further education all the way to a Ph.D., then perhaps I can extend my services as a consultant.
In the mean time, I shall deeply miss the company and all the people here who have colored my life these past nine months."

It was quite painful handing it to her.

"So what's this? Is this your resignation."

I nodded.

"What's your reason?" And then she caught the first paragraph. "Oh that. Well, I totally understand. You have to give it a shot."

A sigh from both of us.

"Well, maybe you can still do some stuff for us. We can contract you for individual projects, write modules maybe..."

"I'd love that."

"Good. That's great."

I was about to leave when she also stood up. We kissed each other on the cheek and shook hands.

I will miss this woman. More than a boss, she was a mother and friend to me. She taught me a lot--how to "feel" business prospects, how to be a smooth talker, how to design projects in such a way clients want you more, and--most importantly--how to pursue my dreams. A year ago, she had told me I wouldn't last in the company. Like Peter to Jesus, I denied it. I intended to be faithful to the company.

"No. You're different. You are destined for greater things."

And you know what--I believed her.

There is a saying--"There is one sentence in your lifetime that will build you up towards greatness and one sentence that will break you and hurl you to the pits of despair. You will certainly get the latter. If you're lucky, you'll get the former maybe once."

I guess I'm lucky. Lucky to have known her.

Maybe I'll invite her to my wedding.

“To God, there is no zero. I still exist.” Scott Carey, The Incredible Shrinking Man

Look ahead, your path is lying right in front of you, you can not miss it, it was always there, designed for you, destined for you.
The urge to move on was stronger than the comfort of safety and success. What is left to reach after all has been reached?

I truly wish you the strength to turn around and take a step back one day when you realize you have gone to far. Either if successful or not you will once find yourself in the situation that the load you packed upon your own shoulders becomes to heavy. There are years to come before this and I am quite sure you will be very successful because you are ambitious, hard working and clever.
Your Achilles heel lies within your sensitivity, it might stand within your way one day but I hope you will have the strength to stick to it and keep it. It's your true strength.

And yes, invite her to your wedding. Treat her with respect and love and she most probably will prove to be the bridge that will never burn behind you.