Mentor hunting

Since the last time I blogged, a few things have happened:
1.) I've been seriously thinking about moving to another state.
2.) I've applied to 2 jobs in California.
3.) I've been looking for and researching jobs in Texas.
4.) I've considered changing careers.
5.) I'm still looking for a property manager to rent my house (I need to do this more aggressively).
6.) I'm kind of still want to move back to Richmond.

As you can see.....I'm all over the place. I'm aware of this, but while talking to a friend today, it was basically confirmed by another person who has listened to me go on about all the disarray that yes....I'm just all over the place.

I feel like right now, I'm totally lost when it comes to where I should be and what I should be doing. Should I just stay where I am for at least another year and take more time to prepare to leave, or should I continue with my plans of moving?

My friend Dionne suggested that I find a mentor to help direct my path.  I initially figured that I didn't need a mentor even though I'm completely in need of some order in my life. I even said to her "I know I'm all over the place and need guidance, but then again, I don't feel like I need guidance".

                                                     

Confused?

Yeah, me too!

To lay it all out there, job hunting has really caused me to waver in my confidence with wanting to move. I do have an interview on Friday with a school system in Richmond, VA which is a start, but as for all the other jobs I've applied to, nothing has been biting. I can't even lie and say that it's not discouraging that I'm not hearing anything back because it is. I'm trying to be patient and know that everything will work out the way it's supposed to, but for right now, I admit that I have good days and bad days when it comes to all of this. I just want to be clear on what I'm supposed to do and be sure I'm not making a decision that I'll regret later.

Wait....did I just say that...?

I was just talking the other day about how I'm taking chances and not living my life with regrets! If I fail, it'll be counted as a learning experience and I'll move on, but now I feel like I'm getting cold feet and moving back to the "safe" zone. I reflected on my 20s and realized that I lived my life in a very safe way. I took minimal risks and played everything as safe as possible when it came to dreaming big and executing those dreams. I vowed that I would live my life differently starting in my 30s, yet now I feel like because I'm a bit discouraged, I'm reneging on being bold and living my best life. 

I know I just need to see it all through and keep moving. Discouragement will happen and road blocks will set you back at times, but I need to erase any negativity and just keep pushing. 

As for that mentor, I'm going to take Dionne's advice and get to searching. I mentor a young girl who is in middle school now and I feel like I give her practical advice because "been there, done that". If someone could be that for me, I feel like I need to take them up on the offer. 

....I got nothing to lose....only gain! 

Uncertain

One of my plans for this year is to relocate back home to Richmond after the school year is over. With that being said, there are a few things that need to happen before that can be done.

1) Sell or rent my townhouse

2) Find a job in Richmond

Well #2 is going pretty well. I informed my current employer of my plans to relocate back in the fall and have totally received nothing but support from them. Despite the mundane and grueling process of applying for job after job and usually getting no call backs for an interview, I'm rather hopeful in this department. I suppose that is because although I would like to relocate, I'm still employed and am eligible for a continuing contract for next school year if I choose to take it. Things could be a lot worse, so I will celebrate the blessings that I do have and not take that for granted. Right now I have an interview with a school system in Richmond scheduled for the end of this month. I also just put in an application for a position at a community college.  We'll just have to wait and see what comes of these things. 

Meanwhile, #1 is what is slowly, but surely becoming the bane of my existence. Basically, I can't afford to sell my house, so I need to rent it out. I spoke with a Realtor today regarding my options for renting or selling and it's confirmed, if I'm going to do anything, I'm going to have to rent. There are three other properties on the market in my neighborhood for rent right now.  One has been looking for a tenant for the past couple of months, and still no luck. I'm really trying not to look at the outside factors and let them discourage me, but I must admit it's really hard. I told myself in the beginning of this process that if things don't work out for me to leave this year, then I will accept that it must be God's will for me to stay another year and I will be content with that. Of course I decided that before I truly started going through with all of this. I am finding it hard to be content with staying another year because I am really ready to leave. My job is amazing and I love where I work, but it's this area that is killing me softly. I'm over being in such a slow town with little to nothing to do here. On top of the fact that the main town is slow, I don't even live in the main town. I live on the outskirts and the commute back and forth is what is draining me. 

I was in a position of being down to the wire regarding truly trusting God to come through for me back in 2010 before I moved to Charlottesville. I was working as a long term sub as a school counselor at a middle school.  I took the position right before Christmas break and was aware that it would only last until the end of February. I knew that come March 1st, I would be looking for another job. My prayer was that I would not have a gap in my employment and sure enough, God came through. I remember when it was 2 weeks before the position was coming to an end and I still hadn't found another job. I was getting nervous and was worried that things wouldn't work out considering the circumstances. I remember how excited I was when I got this job. I was truly in awe of what God could really do!! I suppose it's time for me to kick my faith into full gear and realize that if God could do it for me once, He can do it again!

It's March and I'm hoping that come June, my house will have a tenant on it's way to moving in and I'll be transitioning into a new job and an apartment somewhere in Richmond.