In my post yesterday I recounted the last time I got laid off from a job. It wasn’t a pleasant experience when it happened. However, it turned out to be on of the best experiences of my life. There is…more to the story.
I am part of a professional organization here in in Texas for data management professionals. Yes, I know. It may not sound appealing to you, but I really enjoy it. A couple of months ago we had a day long workshop in DFW. There were several wonderful speakers that day. I was honored to have the opportunity to introduce the speakers after the lunch period was over.
It was awesome. I was reviewing the agenda for the day and the bios for the speakers that I was to introduce. I quickly realized that I had the honor of introducing the man who had fired me from my previous position. Yes. You read that right. The guy who fired me in yesterday’s post was the man I had to introduce in front of several data professionals in DFW.
Holy crap. Really? I have to introduce the guy that fired me? Really? Those were the thoughts that initially went through my head. I quickly realized something different. This is the man that did me an amazing favor. He gave me the opportunity to choose something different and find myself in someplace new.
On the day of the conference, I made my way over to him. He has started a new business (he no longer works for the company that I talked about yesterday) with the CIO of our former company. I shook his hand and a glimmer of recogination crossed his face. Our former CIO came over as we were talking and said, “You look familiar. Do I know you?” I smiled and replied, “I used to work for you, but don’t worry. It was a big company.” She smiled and apologized.
I spoke with both of them for several minutes during a break of the conference. I got the opportunity to do something I never thought I would do. I thanked him for firing me. He looked perplexed. “I fired you? I am sorry. I don’t remember. I had got let so many people go, it really became a blur.” As bad as that sounds, it made sense. The company we worked for was very large, publicly traded, and in a lot of debt. A LOT of people got left go.
He was very pleasant and it was very good to tell him thank you. Looking back 4 years now I didn’t know I would be in this position. I didn’t know the day I got let go from my job would be a pivotal day in my life that I would be so grateful for. I didn’t realize that May 2, 2016 would be one of those days that I would always look back at with gratitude.
I am convinced that our circumstances are what we make of them. If we feel defeated, we will be. If we choose to overcome, there is a great chance we will. Being let go from a job was not an ideal situation, but it is overcome-able. As are most of the things we encounter.
I am thankful. I am grateful. It has not been easy, but it has been worth it. I pray you feel the same way too.
David Willis 