Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I Resigned... to Pursue My Passion

**Warning: This is a long one... but a lot has happened over the past few weeks and it's a big life change, so you deserve the full story :)


"I have an announcement."  


This is what I said two weeks ago as I walked into the audit room filled with 10+ of my fellow auditors.  When a woman has an announcement, usually it's that she's pregnant.  Well, that is not the case today... maybe 5+ years from now I will share that news with you.  My announcement was that I had just resigned and will be leaving the firm in two weeks.... in order to follow my heart and pursue my passion for health, fitness, and wellness.


This was one of the most difficult yet the most easy decisions/announcements I have ever made in my life.  Difficult, because I just graduated from college a year ago after spending 5 years in school and getting my Masters in Accounting and then spending another 6 months taking the CPA exams.  Needless to say, A LOT of time, stress, and $$$ has been invested in my career as an auditor.  

Undergraduate Degree - Double Major in Finance & Accounting


Graduate Degree- Master in Accounting


Oh yes... you get the hood and all. 



But as difficult as the decision was, it was so easy at the same time because it just felt so right.  When you know what you want to do in life and when you are passionate about something, you no longer question the risk.  You take it.  You go for it... knowing that if you love what you do... you will never spend a day "working" and if you love what you do, you will be successful no matter what.  



When I chose my major to study in college at the age of 18, I really had no idea what I wanted to do.  As far as I was concerned, you go to work to make money in order to do the things you love when you are not working.  That's just how it was supposed to be.  I never really thought that I could do something that I love as my career, and for that matter, I wasn't quite sure yet what I truly loved or was passionate enough about to make into a career.  So with that in mind, I chose to major in business.  In my mind, business equaled financial stability.  And to make my decision even easier, I was good at accounting and made good grades in school so everything just kind of fell into place.  Easy enough right?  

Not really.  In the middle of my earning my Master's degree, I created this blog... on a complete whim.  Not knowing how much I would fall in love with it and anything related to health and fitness.  I have always loved anything to do with staying active and healthy, but it never hit me that the health and fitness world is where I wanted to be/could be as a career.  But, at that time, I was too invested in my accounting career not give it a shot.  After almost 7 months as an auditor, I woke up.  

I'm not at all saying I regret my experience as an auditor or majoring in business.  I don't regret that for a second.  Everything happens for a reason, and I have learned so much coming from the business school and my experience as an auditor in the corporate environment. 

This just says it perfectly for me... 


"In the journey of mind consciousness, the term status quo, “as things are”, is the term to describe the state of being when you are uncomfortable living in the service of someone else’s passion or purpose. You are focused on punching the clock, crunching numbers and meeting deadlines. Every action you take is to meet someone else’s standards or business vision in order to collect a paycheck, all the while feeling YOU have more to give, a bigger reason for being.





Its what I call living the Cubicle Life or the Quo Life because you're not the boss, good ‘ole Mr. Quo is your boss. I think of him as a very nice guy who provides you a Packaged Life for the priceless expense of your soul." 


"For many people, the fringe benefits of 'comfort and stability' offered in the Cubicle Life package provide a perfectly satisfactory life. For others, living the Cubicle Life feels like a spiritual death, like each day has boiled down to a menial check list that feels like a series of giant milestones to get through each day: coffee, morning meeting, phone calls, meeting, lunch, water cooler chit chat, meetings, phone calls, crunching numbers, bureaucracy, punch out. Repeat"


It took me 7 months to realize that I had more to give and a "bigger reason for being,"  BUT I don't regret those 7 months at all... and this is why... 


"There is never a reason to regret or look back on your years in the Quo Life. The Quo Life is creating for YOU the very circumstances that are showing you who YOU are. Mr. Quo is a wonderful asset to each of us, creating a perfect environment to birth a vision of your life overflowing with your passion, purpose, dreams and ambition. Why? Life is a process of elimination. You feel out Quo jobs and Quo relationships eliminating what doesn’t work over and over until you are so frustrated, so uncomfortable, so irritated, you exclaim, “I can’t live like this anymore!” And then your soul steps in and says, “I have been trying to get your attention!” And you are so exhausted, you finally listen and SEE your soul. Face to face with your soul, you might even glimpse how magnificent you are, how much greater your purpose on earth really is, and this is what is called waking up. Be grateful if you woke up. Some people NEVER do. Two things usually happen to people in this wake up moment: they shrink in fear, unable to accept the great light that is wanting to shine through them (suddenly the Quo life seems easier than being a light in the world) or you surrender and give permission to your soul to lead YOU instead of thinking (literally thinking) your way through life. It’s thinking that causes our feet to live in Quo Life. It’s knocking on the door of your heart that will help you step onto the spiritual path."


Well, like article says, I've "knocked on the door" of my heart and have given "permission to my soul" to lead me instead of "thinking my way through life." And I could not be more excited!!!!

So what am I going to do you ask?????

You know that athletic apparel company I'm always raving about.  The one that has my favorite water bottle or the one that was on my holiday wishlist or the one that hosts amazing yoga events.  Does the name, lululemon, sound familiar?!? 


I'm going to work full-time for lululemon at the new store opening in University Park Village!! 
(more details to come DFW friends).

My Mom and I soaking up the lululemon manifesto goodness.  Love this wallpaper on the front of the new store coming soon!  


The company's mission statement is "Creating components for people to live longer, healthier, more fun lives."  How perfect...that's exactly what I love to do and what I try to do with this blog! 



I will still be facilitating at Replenish Retreat in May (only a few rooms left if you want to join!), and I will also be investing more time in this blog.  Now that's a whole separate post in itself... think new blog name, a completely new look, a logo, AND more posts for you!! The new blog is all in the works and should be rolling out very soon!


With all of this going on things have been quite the roller coaster for me over the past month, but nothing would be possible without the support of my friends, family, and loving husband.  You know who you are, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Also, I must thank lululemon for the amazing opportunity to be a part of them team.  :)

So that's my news!! I found some guts, took the risk, and I'm not looking back... not even for a second. The new life begins very soon, and I will be sure to keep you updated.  


If you made it all the way to the bottom of this post, then thank you so much for sticking with me!  I didn't want to announce that super awesome ridiculously exciting news and then leave you hanging without all of the decisions and details that went along with it.  Maybe there is some one out there who is going through the same thing, and if that's the case, then I hope this post is helpful.  

"No one can go back and make a brand new start. 
Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~Unknown 

Follow Your Heart

With Love, Health, and Happiness,

Cami 




18 comments:

Karen said...

Congrats for making such a huge decision and following your heart!

Mom and Dad said...

Wow! Now that says it all! Very nice post! We ARE very excited for you and know you will succeed in this next phase of your life. You have got your WONDERFUL husband who has been there through this rocky road these past few months and supports you to follow your heart. What a man! We are really trying to think of one time that you didn't give a task at hand your very best and can't come up with one. That speaks to this next phase. Enjoy the road and absorb it all! Life is really short so LIVE it well! Be Happy! Love, Mom and Dad

Unknown said...

Who knows where this decision will lead you. You are a brave girl! Can't wait to read more!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I think its wonderful that you are following your dreams. I bet it is the most amazing feeling in the world knowing that you can do what you love and that you have a supportive husband and family. I wish I had the courage to make a similar decision, maybe someday. I can't wait to see the new blog. I have enjoyed reading this one as well!

Unknown said...

I just started reading your blog and your tweets. I found you through ToneItUp! I didn't know how you worked sooooo many hours. Not healthy. I am glad you have made this decision. I think you will be a lot happier and able to live a more balanced life. You are very inspiring. I would love to pursue a career in fitness and health but there aren't many avenues for it here in Moncton, NB, Canada. The industry is growing. We don't have a lululemon yet though:) But a really nice hot yoga studio that sells a lot of it. I now look up to you so much for doing what i don't have the guts to do. I work in an office all day every day. Those quotes have really spoken to me. I hope that one day i have the guts you have gotten! Best of luck! I am excited for you!

Michelle said...

Cami I am happy and sad at the same time! Happy that you were given the opportunity and the means to pursue your passion but sad that we don't work together anymore... Keep in touch!

CJ said...

WOW. Jason, the curator of Mind Body Green just sent me this link and I figured it was because a cool chick was writing a cool blog and he wanted me to check it out...as I was reading I started to read MY OWN WORDS. I wrote that article for Mind Body Green Cami, and I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS..and thank YOU for hearing what I was laying down :) Rock on down your path sister!!!

Cami said...

Oh my gosh, I don't even know where to begin to respond to all of these amazing comments. Thank you so so very much!!!

@Karen ~ Thank you so much for your comment!

@Mom and Dad ~ I called you immediately after I read your comment. I feel so blessed to have such incredible and supportive parents and family!!

@Amy ~ The decision definitely took lots of guts, conversations, tears, headaches and more... but SO worth it!!

@Jennifer ~ I loved your comment. It's so crazy because not too long ago I was commenting something similar on other blogs of people that have left their current career or job in order to follow their heart. I never thought that would one day be me... so it just goes to show you... you never know what can happen and don't think it can't happen to you!

@amygrant ~ That makes me so happy to hear that you found me through Tone It Up!! I absolutely love them... so inspiring and just fun. Yes, the hours I was working were crazy especially since I was sitting in a desk chair the whole day... definitely not good for the body. I think my body might go into a little shock going from sitting down 12 hours a day to being up and active all day, but I'm so excited! Regarding pursuing a career in health and fitness in your area... it actually might be a good thing that there aren't many avenues in your area b/c that means there must be a need and YOU can fulfill that need! That means more opportunities for you! Thanks so much for the sweet comment!

@Michelle ~ Thank you dear! We will still stay in touch :)

@CJ ~ Oh my gosh, I was so excited when I read your comment!!! I read your article the day it came up on MindBodyGreen during a time when i was really struggling with my career and wanted a change but never thought it would happen. Your article spoke to me so much as if it was written to me, and it came at the perfect time. You put everything that was going on with me into perfect words. So for that... I must say thank you and also thank you so much for the comment and congrats. I am so unbelievably excited. Honestly, it doesn't even feel real yet. Your Clueberry site is incredible, I will definitely be sharing that with others.

Oh, and I was so happy to read that Jason sent you my link!! I love MindBodyGreen... it's my homepage! He is doing such amazing things, and i can only hope be able to write an article on his site one day.

Dorry said...

Congratulations! I had a very similar experience and have been free from my cubicle job for almost 2 years now. I'll spare you all my details (although we should chat more some time!), but I just started working full-time for lululemon North Park in Dallas! I also took time in the past year to become a certified nutrition counselor. I hope our paths cross. Would love to meet you. :)

Danielle Schartz Jenkins said...

Congratulations girl! I think many people in this life don't realize that they don't have to do things they don't like for their job! I am really thankful to have found my passion for photography so early in my life, and I am really thankful I am able to make a career out of it! Good luck with everything!

Cami said...

Hi Dorry! Thanks so much for the congrats! It sounds like we have SO much in common! Fellow bloggers (love yours btw!), we both left our desk jobs to work at lulu, AND I'm planning on getting my holistic nutrition counselor certification too!! We should definitely meet up. I will actually be training out at lululemon North Park on April 4th and 5th, will you be there? I will shoot you a tweet too just in case you don't get this response. I haven't figured out yet if people who comment get emails or not when I respond. Very exciting!

Hey Danielle!! So so very true everything you said. I LOVE your photography work, way to follow your passion girl. Hope all is well!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Lululemon is such a wonderful company. We have a lulu showroom here and I am always involving myself with them so that one day, if a position ever became available I would leave my job in a minute. I hope you love every second of it and it leads to a bright, fun future! You are an inspiration!

Cami said...

Thanks so much Mary!! Such kind words, and I wish you all the best!

Calotren said...

Congrats!!!Thanks for the great resource. Keep in touch.

Cami said...

Thank you Calotren! :)

Anonymous said...

I just came across the blog from google.

I truly applaud your courage to pursue your passion and give up your audit career. I am an auditor too, after 14 years as an auditor (nearly all of those years quite miserable!), I am quitting and pursuing my passion which is training/education. If I don't do it now at age 36, I know I will just die of heartache. Crazily I am doing it at a time when i have little money and some debt and have a wife and child to support, but I know in my heart the time is right.

I have found your blog entry very inspiring and kinda wished I had also made the change shortly after i started like you have. I hated auditing from the start and lived in some kind of numb dreamworld these last 14 years. Only now am I really fully 'present'!

Alex

Cami said...

Alex, thank you so much for your kind comment. I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, so hopefully there is a reason why you remained an Auditor for 14 years. Either way, that's so great that you have taken the bold move to follow your passion and are now feeling present! Very happy for you! Also, this is my old blog page. Feel free to check out my new and improved blog called FIT to FLOURISH at www.fittoflourish.com. Cheers!

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