All is well!
 

Hi April2015 gang! I'm so glad all is well here. I'm having a wonderful year so far. It flies me still to think it's been 4 years already! I have started a Spiritual online "business" after I became aware that I can help others find their wholeness and support those on a spiritual journey.

I was triggered recently when my father revealed he has not had a drink all year. I was happy for him and said Good for you! His wife looked at me, and said, "well, it's because of health reasons, not that he has a problem." I had to step way back and work out why this bothered me so much. A man can not drink if he so chooses. We dont need to judged for this decision. I later told my dad this as we were discussing spirituality, and I said, "We need to change peoples attitudes about alcohol. It's become so normal in society, that when a person chooses to not drink, they are labeled." This is where the shame comes in. A sober person cannot declare with pride due to this ever present shame. At least, in my community, this rings true. I am on a mission to remove this dammed if you do, dammed if you don't attitude.

But, on another note:
I was actually on here searching for a link to a website that helped me immensely in the first year, but I cannot find it. Maybe you can jog my memory and help me. It was about the "ego", the voice in your head that tells you to go ahead, have a drink, protecting in fear of not knowing what's behind the fog? The website portrayed the ego as a monster type. It had an acronym Rapid recovery or something? Hmm? Maybe Dee can help me out?

Hi Cauliflower! Great to see you here!

Even after four years sober, the Monster in Law hasn't changed. I am happy that your father has quit drinking.

Perhaps it is Rational Recovery that you are looking for? In it, the drive to drink is labeled as " The Beast," a separate entity from "us." Jack Trimpey is the author. The website is rational.org. I hope this helps!

How is the condo in Mexico? I hope your family is doing well!

some things never change
 

Haha! Yes my step monster is still the same, but I've changed. I have set boundaries with her over the years. Thank you so much, that what I could not recall, rational recovery!

Our condo in mexico is so beautiful, we spent Christmas there, but we were so busy getting it furnished and decorated, so my son and I went back over spring break. We have it rented from February to April next year!

Summer is in full swing over here... One month of relaxing and rejuvenating. No spirits or events or work! I'm thoroughly looking forward to it!

Well...you're not going to believe this...
I was fired.

Too many calls to HR because I dont have a filter in what I say to people that are around me. THings involving porn and sexual acts. One of which is true. I did share a story about how my Ex said I was "evil" for watching porn. Sexual acts were construed by the associate on another case a few months ago where I talked about men hitting on me when I was younger.

Short story is...I am fired and there's nothing I can do about that.

I have so much to say though, I barely know where to start. I am GENUINLY excited about it! For reals.

At first, I was SUPER proud of myself for not letting that tear me down. I responded in a MUCH better way than the past. All because while the poop was hitting the fan, I honest to God said to myself "Well, what is, is. No use getting upset about it"

So I was SUPER happy with myself. But it doesn't stop there...

The last time this happened to me, my mind was 100% on the past. I could not look forward a tiny bit. The future was scary for me and I didn't want to face it. Then meanwhile, I would anazyse and review over and over how I got to that point. Why? There's nothing I can do to change the outcome.

Instead, I have been eagerly looking at the future. I'm actually excited for the possibilities. THis happened a couple days ago. The day after I got the news, I was eating lunch with a car dealer discussing pay structure! I would love to sell cars. But the money seemed REALLY low at first. I was not surprised at all. It's base salary + commission and I feel within a year I could probably earn 35-45k. Not bad. And I believe it'll be fun.

The next day, I spoke to a colleague about an opportunity selling Life Insurance again! THIS is the one I'm most excited about. I'd actually work for a legit agency with the proper guidance and systems. They have an great source of leads. I am familiar with what they sell and how they do it. Much lower commission than when I was independent, but WAY better system which will ulitmately make me more money.

I also spoke to a guy I know who is a DM for Dollar General and he gave me some great advise AND offered me a job as a Store Manager making $19hr and would help me become a DM. We've spoke several times in the past. I know he's capable of doing that and I have he would.

Ultimately though, he recommended that I apply to DM jobs for DG, Family Dollar, anywhere I can and tell them I am still employed with Staples. I like that and I'm perfectly comfortable doing that for a couple months easy.

So that's what I'm doing. I am applying to District Manager jobs near my boys, where I live now, and West Virginia...just because I like it there and it's no further from my boys than I am now.

I am seeing this as a life changing opportunity where I have several options in from of me. I might get a job which would nearly double my current pay, or end up near my boys, or in a state that I actually find beautiful. PLUS....I have the option to jump into sales RIGHT NOW.

That was going to be my end game. I WILL be working until the day I die. Unless I made a crap ton of money and could save. No way was I going to be running a Stapes at 73yrs old. My plan was to sell.

If I start now, I will have more income when I'm 73 than I know what to do with!

So yeah. There ya go. My mom is happy for me. My brother thinks I might have lost it. He was concerned of the situation I was in. Not me. I'll admit full reality hasn't set yet. And I'm sure I WILL be concerned to a degree.

Hi Cauli! Great to hear from you!

EGO? Monster? I remember something like that too. I completely believed it. I recall speaking about it several times. Why isn't it coming to mind? Now you're driving me nuts. Hmm...might hear back from me on that one.

Cauli, what I appreciated from that Ego idea was labeling it as a beast. It made that an entirely different entity. That wasn't ME. It was the beast. That made me examine that part of myself and really openned the doors for the possibility of rediscovering the REAL me.

Hi Cali good to hear from you :)

Good luck finding new employment IC

D

Hi Cauli! Great to hear from you and catch up with your news. Good to hear that you are in a good place and that life is treating you well!

Inc. I'm really sorry you lost your job but have to praise you for your positive attitude. It is true that sometimes we need a catalyst to make changes. You certainly have one right there. This could be the best thing for you in the long run. Who.knows what opportunities will come up. Hope you stay positive and keep your eyes on the future!

Cauli, this is definitely my favorite time of the entire year -late spring and early summer! It's good being outside and the copious sunshine helps with my SAD. I am glad the Mexican condo has worked out so well for you!

Inc, sorry about the job loss, but I never sensed that you were very happy in your position. It's awesome that you have such a good attitude and possible irons in the fire already. You might like living in West Virginia. It is a beautiful state and has low taxes. The state politically makes Ohio look like California however, if that is something that bothers you. Keep us posted on your job search and good luck!

Hi Amp! Your trip is coming up soon? You need a little downtime to relax!
I have to work the next two days, then it is a week "down the shore" as we say in my neck of the woods. Looking forward to some time away from the house and job and yard where I might actually relax. All I can see when at home is the many things that need done. Hopefully, I might even read a book or two.

Take care everyone!

Thank you guys. I am so very proud of myself if nothing else. I've grown and changed so much over the past 2-3yrs especially and it's showing now. Just feeds into my belief that things happen for a (good) reason. I firmly believe the stars may be lining up for me.

Interesting on WV Politics SG. I wasn't aware of that. I find Ohio to be brutally conservative since it's in the Bible Belt. It seems there are more churches here than grocery stores. And they are MASSIVE.

Cauli... I cant seem to find exactly what you're looking for. All I find is AVRT which I believe is behind the whole concept of the addict voice.

Google The Crash Course On AVRT

I'm off to "interview" with American Income Life. It's more of a show and tell where they will say I can make 6 figures working when ever I want. In reality, I CAN work when ever I want, but to pull in 50-60k, I need to work 7 days a week. Granted, Sundays can just be 4hrs making calls while the rest would be 7hrs or so.

The real money flows in when I develop my own team. Insurance sales is nothing more than a MLM scheme. Given my background, I'll do great and training, developing, and motivating a team. As long as I keep my personal stories out..lol.

The show and tell was impressive. They are reallists, so I apprecaite that. Would be a lot of work. Online reviews say you work 7 days a week and I believe it. Sunday would just be a few hours of calls and admin.

This agency is actually the biggest American Income Life agency in the country! Thanks largely due to the fact that Pittsburgh and Columbus, OH spawned off this agency. They also recently aquired Wisconsin and Indianna.

They have a system that works and a decent process of onboarding new agents to get them up to speed quick.

It's all about building residual Income (every year client keeps policy I get a commission). Gotta sell as many policies as humanly possible for a couple-few years to build up enough residual that it would cover major expenses like Health Insurance.

Inc, who is the job search going? Are you definitely going to go back to selling insurance?

Back to work after my annual week at the beach. It's my only week away from both work and the house, so I truly get some down time. I actually read the first three Harry Potter books and just picked up the fourth one. So I'm twenty years behind everyone else!

Take care all!

Glad you had a good vacation SG. If I recall correctly, you go to the Jersey Shore? I miss it out there and would love to go back (southern NJ that is).

I am very excited to report that I have signed on with American Income Life. I got the chance to meet the director for whom I would be working for and fell in love.

He's been there for 8yrs and came from retail (Home Depot) and the military before that. He appears to be an awesome leader who has a vested ibterest in my success. This is something I didn't have before, and was key in my decision making.

Life Ins is MLM and I'll have a direct report who I am also very excited to work with. He was a GM at Hhgregg when I was there. We worked together during my training then competed when I got my store. We both have respect for the individual skills we have. He's been trying to recruit me ever since Hhgregg.

I have 100% faith that they will both invest in me. My direct upline will basically help me during normal selling times (2-7pm) by doing ride alongs and be available via phone 24/7.

He'll have access to reporting which will identify weaknesses such as appointment setting, no shows, closing %.

Meanwhile, the director spends most of his time in the office and will be available to me before the selling blocks. So I have the option of going to the office for training pretty much any time I feel as long as it doesn't interfere with my selling schedule.

The first 90days will be hard. I'll be in the office at 10am then in the field from 2-9pm. I'm pretty sure that'll be for 4 of the 6 working days.

Bottom line is, if I bust a nut, they will put me in position to succeed. Exactly what I'm looking for and SUPER psyched about it.

Meanwhile though, I will apply to DM jobs for a hail Mary. Just to see what happens.
I feel relief though because I was concerned about lying (stating I was still employed) and yet had serious doubts if I didn't lie.

A major life lesson for me has been what is, is and what will be, will be. Any time I try to manipulate outcomes, it backfires.

So now I can apply to jobs, tell the truth, and see what happens. And meanwhile, I'm doing something I love to do.

I cannot lose.

That's great that you are back in the game so quickly Inc! It's also good to know that you have support above you that you respect. If you got a DM job, could you still sell insurance part time?

Had to remove the RR link Inc - it's commercial by our rules.

D

DG, yes I can, but not with these guys. They don't play around.

I went to an agent meeting yesterday. O-M-G it's no wonder this agency is #1 in the country for AIL. I was blown away by the energy, drive, coaching, and motivation. Completely blown away.

These guys are great mentors too. Not just sales mentors, but life overall. They really showed me what leadership looks like. I thought I had a clue of leadership after having a leadership role for 30years...I was not even 25% there.....

I came to the realization that I may not be accepted by the insurance group due to debts I had in the past. All depends if they reported them to a certain company. And I'm feeling they did because that's the norm. Maybe not. Only way to find out is to send or fax a written request. I did that yesterday. I'll have an answer within 5 business days.

Meanwhile, I want to apply to jobs, but I'm torn. I had received advise thst I should just say I am currently employed. That's not sitting well with me. So I have to come to terms with it so I can move forward. Either lie and hope for the best, or tell the truth and hope for the best.. Lol.

I do have an ace in the hole though as I know a DM for dollar General who said he'll hire me as a Store Manager. I wouldn't have a store right away and he'd make sure I worked a cush schedule. He also promised to help me get to DM. And I believe he can do it. Or at least will put forth the effort and help me succeed.

I guess as I type that out, I feel better. I'm feeling more strength to apply to jobs without lying. What is, is. I do feel fairly confident I can talk my way through the termination and the lessons I learned.

OK..I feel better "talking" that through.

Meanwhile, my ex had to put my dog down a little bit ago. She (my dog) was with me all these years right up until I moved into my efficiency. It would have been too hard for her to be here in a small space while I worked 10hrs a day.

All dogs are great. She was awesome. Super kind and loving soul. I love her and she'll be missed for sure.

​



​​​

​

I feel that things will work out for you one way or another Inc. When one door closes, another opens.

How is your summer going Amp?

Have a good weekend guys!