The Grass is Greener

No matter how much I protest, I am totally responsible for everything that happens to me in my life.~ Author Unknown ~

Do you have a special friend in your life who has been there through the good times and the bad times, who with just a few words can make everything seem okay. I've had a number of these friends but the most special one of all is a former work colleague.

We supported each other during a very hard and stressful twelve months in our former place of employment. It's only now that we're not working together any longer that I realise how much I relied on him and how much he helped me get through the most stressful year of my working life. I love him like a brother and miss him every day.

We still speak every week and email regularly, but it's not the same and is the one thing I miss most about my former job. He and his family came to our BBQ this weekend and it was so good to catch up. So many of our friends are still in this workplace and suffering under the rapidly deteriorating management. How does a place deteriorate so quickly in such a short space of time?

I know my present job is quiet and I complain about being bored, but the absence of unbelievable stress and bullshit that I endured for so long is amazing. You truly can't appreciate how bad a place is until you walk away. My position being made redundant was the best thing that could have happened. I was fortunate because I was in Human Resources and I nominated myself to go over other people when they were cutting heads, I was that desperate to get out.

It worked out in my favour because I was offered another position in the Corporate office with my former boss and away from the nazi management of the subsidiary company.

How many people go to horrendous jobs every day and suffer through emotional turmoil and stress because they need the money. Surely all the money in the world can't account for tolerating appalling management and conditions. This place is definitely on a downward slide and I am glad to be free.

A former employee summed it up beautifully by saying 'The birds sing a little more sweetly and the sky appears more blue the day that place is in your rear view mirror!! Life is too short. Get out all of you!! Save yourselves!!'

We spend so many of our waking hours in paid employment that we should be doing something worthwhile and enjoyable. I didn't realise how bad I was until I left and friends and my children all commented on the fact that I was happy again. I never realised the stress I was carrying until I walked away.

Do me one favour today and make a step towards doing a job that you enjoy, whether it's training to give you the additional skills to make a change or taking a chance on a new opportunity. Money pays the bills but it doesn't make you happy on the inside and it certainly doesn't make your life worthwhile.

Also take the opportunity to give your best friend a hug and a kiss and say thank you for being there for you.

Cheers, Fi