Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash
In my early 30s, the daily symptoms of my chronic illness eased enough for me to find my way back to a career I loved. After years of wondering if I could manage a chronic illness and a challenging job, I learned it was possible to navigate the unknown waters.
It helped that I worked with supportive colleagues and management who trusted my abilities. They knew my work would get done, regardless of any setback I may experience.
If there were a will, I would find a way.
I always found a way.
For several years I commuted daily, more than an hour each way to Boston and the surrounding area. My work was challenging, and I was so happy to be back. Some of my colleagues became lifelong friends and the experience I gained during those years led to many unique opportunities. The commute was worth it to me.
I began to sociaize more, with new friends from work and old friends I hadn’t seen in many years. I also began to travel and took one of my most memorable vacations.
I was living again.
I was also planning again.
During this time, I began looking to purchase my first home. I knew the benefits of homeownership from my mother, who was a Realtor. While I previously hoped to own my first property in my 20s, my illness had postponed that goal, but not for long. I never stopped looking forward, and the day I closed on my first property was one I celebrated.
After years of illness and unknowns, I was experiencing normalcy again and moving on with my life, but it was so much more than normalcy for me.
It was a return to hopes and dreams. A return to the possibility I would enjoy life, even with a chronic illness that had no known cause.
For several years I relished the atmosphere of tech start-up companies in various stages. The work was invigorating, and I was right where I was supposed to be.
Celebrating Joy
After a year at one company, I learned it would merge with a larger firm in Silicon Valley. When the merger was first announced, a team was assembled from both companies to ensure a smooth transition. I was a part of that team representing the marketing department of our company. Each month I split my time between Boston and San Jose. It was an exciting time for me. I witnessed the ins and outs of a tech merger and worked through the extensive marketing plan to merge two diverse companies into one new brand and identity.
It was everything I had hoped for and more.
I was making new friends on both coasts, experiencing a new part of the country, and even dating again.
During the time of the merger, I was offered the position of VP of Marketing at the new company, which was to be based in Silicon Valley. My manager, the then VP of Marketing at the Boston company called me into his office and told me my time had come. I’ll never forget the day I learned the news.
My resilience had paid off, and my goal had been reached.
I emerged from that meeting on cloud nine. For the first time in more than five years, I realized how far I had come, not just in my career but in my life.
It was easy to remember the dark times of the years before when my life was unexpectantly derailed by illness, but in that instance, I celebrated the joy of the present moment and my accomplishments.
I gave myself credit for persevering and reminded myself that anything was possible.
Acknowledge and Honor the Moment
I didn’t take my success for granted. Instead, I acknowledged what it took to get to that point. I honored the moment and the victory. I expressed gratitude to those that helped me along the way.
The new position in California was another step forward for me, but I had a lot to consider. I had previously relocated to Portland Oregon with another company before becoming ill, so a cross-country move was not out of the question. I loved the West Coast, but the East Coast was home. This time there was more to consider than location preference.
I had to remind myself that my support system would be essential if I had a medical setback, and moving 3,000 miles away would put that at risk.
While I weighed my options, I began to look for a similar position elsewhere. I followed the same process I had for years whenever I had a decision to make.
I took time to quiet my mind through meditation and mindfulness, tuning into my intuition. I analyzed the options and weighed the pros and cons.
Throughout the process, my intuition told me that making a move was the wrong move, and I was okay with that.
I was confident another opportunity would present itself. And in fact, it did, in no time: another VP position, this time just 20 minutes from my home.
As the merger of the two companies came to a close, I said goodbye to my colleagues and the 2+ hour daily commute. I celebrated the time I had spent learning and growing and looked forward to my next adventure.
Experiencing Life
Before beginning the new position, I had more celebrating to do. I set off with my best friend to Italy and remembered the joys of travel. We spent nearly three weeks traveling from Venice to the Amalfi coast. Each day, I woke with a prayer of thanks and wandered through Italy with a smile on my face, grateful for the chance to be there.
The simple pleasures of exploring Tuscan villages, the glorious Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the beautiful Amalfi coast were never lost on me. While shopping in Positano, we met the Mayor’s daughter, who invited us to her family home for dinner. Throughout our trip, we were met with unexpected pleasures and happy times.
It was as if life was paying me back for the previous losses.
We explored the ancient ruins in Rome with an ex-pat art historian who brought the history of the time to life. We walked through the Holy Door at the Vatican as part of the Jubilee 2000 and so much more.
It was a trip of a lifetime. I was truly alive.
Upon my return, I had dinner with my parents to share stories from my trip. They were also anxious to learn more about my new position. My father admitted his concern about my changing jobs so frequently- three in the previous six years- but realized that each move was a calculated plan and enabled me to grow as a professional, increase my salary, and achieve my goals.
He admitted that times had changed.
We raised a glass and toasted my success both in work and in life.
Tracy,
Powerful things going on with your life and all for the good. There's more in store. There's more in you than you realize.
Best,
Myles
Thanks for sharing Tracy it's always a pleasure reading your article. Reading about how resilience made you accomplish so much in life makes me makes appreciate how resilient I am and how important it is to accomplish certain goals in life. You're appreciated!