2009 What a year !

At this time of the year I usually look back and think what sort of year I have had. 2009 for me will take some beating. Last January I was in a job in Industry dutifully collecting my paycheck at the end of every month with that big Corporate umbrella over my head. All very nice and it felt safe. Now I am out in the world I have come to realise that I was not really in control of my life and the words 'Get a life' now have a new ring of truth.  Along came the accountants and like a flash flood all the security which I had taken for granted was swept away. Initially a numb feeling of disbelief set in closely followed by a great opportunity to panic. You tell your family as you reach for the calculator working out how long your financial survival rate can be.  Some are obviously more lucky than others in their financial circumstances and I place myself in that fortunate category. I came to realise that this could be the opportunity I needed to do the thing I have always wanted to do and that is my photography. Why didnt I take that chance earlier ? My year is like a hammock - July and August in the middle but we are now almost in December !!  Would I go back to the former job now in the unlikely event of it being offered it to me - thanks but no thanks. There is always a silver lining to be found somewhere but often we are too close to see it.  Yes 2009 has been a watershed year in my life but that life only seems to get better.  I am following my dream, I have additional friends and am thriving on new challenges. That cant be bad. For anyone in similar circumstances I can only say that once the emotional turmoil has gone there is usually a silver lining to be found somewhere even if it is just having more time to be with the family.  For me it was the opportunity to start my own photographic business and the determination that I will succeed however hard I am told it will be. I expect to be able to once again look back at the end of 2010 and I believe I will still feel satisfied with the decision I made in 2009.