Sea Legs

Even though there is no work right now, work has been the most stressful it's ever been. Ever. And that is no hyperbole. My boss announced yesterday that he is leaving. A few days before that, two other very important people left. And before that two more. It's been like the rush to get off the island before the biggest hurricane ever recorded hits land.

Now as I sit here, gently thumping my giant rubberband ball against my desk, I am contemplating whether or not to get in that line or to ride out the storm strapped to my desk with one big giant rubberband. I generally like my job. I am one of the lucky ones. One of the few. I like the people I work with. I love MY office (emphasis there on the word my). But that being said, I cannot react purely on impulse and emotion right now. I cannot react based on the fact that everyone else is doing it. I have to stay if not because someone has to pick up the slack, then because I need to do this for myself. I have to learn to make it through a transitional period without running away, because it's easier or because it's what I've done before. I need to become an amphibian, adaptable in any environment.

This happened at my old job as well. There was a slew of lay-offs and people quitting all in a matter of just a few weeks. The only difference was, at my old job, I was one of the ones waiting in line at the one-lane bridge to get off the island. And I got my turn. It was time to leave that job, time to move on to bigger and better projects, to a company that valued me as well as needed me. And because I ran from there to here to seek shelter from the storm, I will stay. For awhile at least. I will ride out this storm and see how strong my sea legs truly are.