Do you ever feel trapped?

I drew the freedom card today: “You may feel trapped right now by life conditions. …realise that you are the only jail keeper that ever surfaces in your own life.

Whenever you realise that you have the power to be free, freedom follows.

Everything that you do in your life is by choice…..The next time you begin a sentence with the words, ‘I have to…..’ – please stop. Ask…the angels to show you some alternatives…”

(from: “Healing with the Angels” Oracle cards by Doreen Virtue)

I have felt trapped – I have worked in jobs I hated, with people I disliked.

When I worked in the bank, morale there was at an all time low – people were getting made redundant, job rotations halted while restructuring was taking place, which meant we were stuck doing the same tasks, day in, day out.

I was not in a branch, at least there I would have had contact with other humans!

It wasn’t just me – everyone in the office was frustrated and miserable in their job.

So what did we do about it?

Sadly, a lot of people just kept on complaining and are still miserable in those jobs today.

Others, like myself, were not content, we knew changes were needed in our lives.

Turning point:

I got acrylic nails done. I loved them. I got them done a few more times, then I let them go.

Then one day, I wanted nails again, and I thought, “I might do a nail course.”  I had wanted to work in beauty since I was a teen and loved anything to do with nails.

What did I have to lose?

I enrolled in a nail technician course. Loved it! Lived it, breathed it!

I started taking clients at home after hours and loved it. It wasn’t even like work!

Within a few months, I rang around local hair salons looking for a spot to rent where I could do nails. I found a nice little salon around the corner from home.

Bye bye, bank!

I will never ever forget the day I handed in my resignation.

People thought I was mad – leaving a secure job to do what? Nails?

I worked in that salon for a year – god it was hard, some days no clients at all, others I had the bitchiest, most horrible people come in. But I took it, and I kept on going.

I knew I couldn’t go on like this and I started thinking about the next step. I put it out to the universe to guide me, give me a sign.

Then one day, I was at my supplier and got talking to the owner. “What are you doing right now?” she asked. I told her where I was working and why did she ask?

She offered me a job in her salon.

This was a well known, busy, top salon with the best techs in the city. I accepted.

I was thrown in the deep end, clients all day, every day. I loved it. And I was making great money!

I learnt, I refined my skills, I became a damn good nail tech – I competed and won in nail competitions.

It was a fantastic time.

Did I ever look back? No way!

Would I do things differently? Maybe.

I was not happy in the bank. I did something (my nail course), not knowing what it would lead to. I just did it. And I ended up working in a job I loved, close to home, making much more money.

My Point?

My point is, we have the freedom. Freedom to choose.

We don’t have to accept what is. We can change it.

You don’t have to go and throw your job away, just take a step away – do something that interest you, you never know where it will lead. If you do nothing you know where that will lead, right? Nowhere. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

If it’s not where you are now, maybe it’s time to break free…….