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In reply to the discussion: What makes you decide to make a big life change? [View all]NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)So I graduated with a degree and one of my professors had an in with a government agency. Years passed and I was doing well until after 9/11 when we were prepping for war. I can't give details but it was obvious that we were going to war so that we could play with all of our new toys and so that we could sell others. I quit nearly a year ahead of time, before anyone else was sure that we were going but after the plans had been made. I left town and started professionally all over again. I was not ready and willing to work for the war machine that was going to feed bodies in exchange for treasure.
Plan B: Found work for another company doing intel in the private industry and got married just like everyone said you are supposed to do. After a few years of being treated as pet by my wife at the time, realized that life was to short to be miserable. Got divorced, moved and started again.
Plan C: Opened my own company doing intel related work and lived to make myself happy for once in my life. Business dwindled, and I adapted again.
Plan D: Married, different town, entirely new industry. Had a child, enjoyed work, and was trucking along nicely. Got sick, hospitalized, disabled.
Plan E: Stay at home Dad, part time writer, and family man... And now I'm the most happy I've ever been. I cannot even see where I started, nor do I recognize the guy from my Plan A.
It's still a weird journey but had I not struck out and lost so many times before, I would not be who I am and where I am now. I made changes when I refused to live miserably on someone else's terms. I will not feed the War Machine, I will not be your pet, but I will do anything for my family.