Here's what more important than getting what you want
I’m just going to rip the band-aid off. We have to let you go
That is a sound byte from a work call a little over a month ago.
Like anyone would expect, I was sad. Kind of surprised. I took the week to process, gather myself, and sit in what I just experienced. I called my family, texted my friends, and just reflected for a few days.
As I went through the week I obviously felt less sad but another set of emotions began to kick in.
I felt this overwhelming sense of relief, specifically that I was free to explore the next thing. I hadn’t felt this before. And then what started to happen is that I felt peace. Like overwhelming peace. These are not emotions that I expected to have so shortly after a layoff.
I knew God had provided this previous job and it could easily be gone the next day. But I also knew he was going to bring the next thing. Ask any of my friends, family members, or anyone who I told about the layoff (several LA in Common members). I had this undying belief that something was going to pan out, and I had no idea what this next gig was going to look like. These same people would tell me something great is coming, even before I shared my optimism.
The Daniel a year ago probably would have been drawing up frameworks to find the ideal/dream job or maybe just go into a networking frenzy. I can already see the 25 year old version of myself calling every single person he knew and posting content on LinkedIn (cue Remy throw up meme here).
But I have to say the last 30 days have been really restful. I’ve been spending my days just sitting with myself, God, and others. Lingering. Praying. Reading. Journaling. Laughing.
As I leaned into enjoying the process before me, things started to open up. It’s been the weirdest experience. It’s as if me white knuckling life was preventing me getting to where I wanted to be.
Last week I signed a job offer. LA in Common stumbled on an incredible partnership and we’re planning some epic stuff for all of you. I connected with a non-profit who wants to fund future LAic events.
In this economy, all of these things felt very unlikely to occur, especially on the timeline they happened.
And don’t get it twisted, I still had to show up, whether it was interviewing or meeting with people.
But I had the weirdest experience with all of this. I felt like I was sailing, rather than rowing.
I can say I’m exactly where I need to be - not because I’ve “achieved” what I’ve wanted - but because I’m at peace with my process. I’m confident that, whatever happens, I can navigate my circumstances with gratitude, composure, and grace.
There’s so much more I want to share about my process but want to keep it for people who are interested. Just reply to this email with the word gratitude and I’ll send you my thoughts/notes from the last 30 days.
If you’re newer here, LA in Common is a community of the best people you know in LA. Hopefully this newsletter gives you a glimpse of what we’re building. If you’re looking to plug into a community of highly motivated yet absolutely genuine people - this is it.
Glad you’re here,
Daniel