Blessing in disguise

The title of this post is a trite phrase tossed around by people, sometimes without a lot of thought. Other times, it’s used with great care and intention. Whatever the case, any blessing in disguise is always tough to live through at the moment of the actual living. Right then it seems like a curse, or at best a burden that must be carried. It’s only later that we can look back and say that such and such a thing was a blessing in disguise.

A week ago I wrote about the dual anniversaries of five years since I started this blog and one year since I left my corporate job and have been concentrating only on voiceover work. It was a bit over a year ago that one of those blessings in disguise took place. It happened this way. A couple of weeks before my final day, I took an elevator ride with a couple of the executives of the corporation for which I used to work and during that ride one of those executives mentioned he had heard that I given notice. I said “yes” that I had done so. He said, “we have to try to do something to see if we can keep you on.”

It was a nice thing to hear. Who doesn’t want to feel wanted, someone of value to the organization. But, as it happened, no such effort was made. I have no idea what conversations may have taken place behind closed doors, but no offer was made to me. At the time I felt rather disappointed about that; but looking back on it from a year’s perspective I see it for what it was … a blessing in disguise.

It’s not likely, but it’s possible that I might have accepted whatever offer was made. I can say with utter certainly that had I done so I would not be as contented and at peace as I am today. I am doing exactly what I was born to do, not just in my work but in my entire life. I’m enjoying much more time in one fashion or another with my family. I’m able to meet the needs of my clients with alacrity and excellence. I’m able to provide encouragement to others, not just here through this blog, but also through other personal communication. So those moments of disappointment I felt that I wasn’t approached about staying were truly a blessing in disguise.

Now, I don’t know what it is you’re dealing with right now. It might well be something much more significant than my bruised feelings were. But, regardless, is it possible that a year from now you’ll be able to look back on this season and say, “Yep, that too was a blessing in disguise”?