I Quit My Job and the Universe Approved
I’m a practical person. When I decided to quit my corporate job, I was methodical in my process. I made a plan to start my own business. I created checklists of tasks to prepare financially and to complete major milestones at work. I thought it would take about nine months to cross the last item off my list and then I would quit.
As I got closer and closer to the end of my list, I became happier and happier. I reclaimed my power. I was no longer afraid of layoffs or being penalized for speaking up for myself and what was right for the business. I mean, what were they going to do, fire me? Then I would have been eligible for unemployment benefits, so I felt like I couldn’t lose.
I wanted do something significant right after quitting and before diving back into business since it might be the only time in my working life between full-time jobs. I liked writing and decided to enroll in Naropa University’s Summer Writing Program, whose version of an English department is called The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. Perfect. I started reading Kerouac’s On the Road and downloaded a countdown app to my smartphone to mark the days until I “hit the road with Jack”.
Then it was time to put in my notice, say my goodbyes, and start my new life. I was on fire! I felt like a bird that had been freed from a cage that it didn’t even know it was in. Events fell into place so smoothly that a divine presence seemed to be guiding my way. For example, I think I manifested a Dodge Challenger. Really. I don’t care very much about cars, but thought the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazard was cool. I had to take my Subaru into the repair shop for a few days, and asked the rental agency if they had any Challengers to loan. And they did. What are the odds? Usually they only allow requests for the class of car, but this time I got the exact make and model that I wanted: a shiny, red, 2013 Challenger.
I thought it would be fun for a few days and then I’d go back to my practical Subaru. But this muscle car symbolized the excitement I felt about the potential my future held – and it was really fun to drive. So I looked around for used Challengers and didn’t find any in my price range. But I did find the exact car that I was driving advertised as a loss leader at the dealership nearest me. The one car I wanted was on sale. And now it’s mine!
My entire summer was like this – just magical. On the drive to Colorado, I’d stop at a motel for the night and the receptionist would tell me, “Oh, we only have a suite left. But I can give it to you for the price of our standard room.” Or the café would make too much chai and give me an extra cup for free.
Once I arrived at Naropa, I loved my classes, my student apartment, Boulder, and the talented new friends I made. The Beat poet’s experimental approach was liberating and my creativity exploded with ideas for poetry and non-fiction. One class assignment was to write the outline for a book, which became the basis for my self-help manuscript that is now a 50,000 page rough draft.
Once I decided to leave my job, it was as if the Universe said, “Yes, this is the path you are supposed to be on.” Life became easy and fun in ways that I hadn’t experienced before. Since then, I’ve had ups and downs adjusting to a radically changed lifestyle. But now I know what it feels like to be in the flow of life and am constantly making adjustments to stay where the magic is. The Universe approves.
How ironic. I have a book on my shelf that’s falling apart. It was a gift to me, and they said it was the best book I could possibly read.
It’s On the Road.
My Dad had a challenger and it was his favorite car. It was a powerhouse, and I think he really liked the feeling of freedom and the open road.
It sounds like you figured out how to get the world to conspire with you.
How cool! I loved Kerouac’s imagery in On the Road. And I loved cruising across the West on my way to Colorado in the Challenger. I can’t think of a better car for a long road trip in pursuit of one’s dreams.