Saturday, January 16, 2010

The News....Part I

Over the past few weeks or so I've shared a series of somewhat nebulous and cryptic posts with a broad theme of change. They were, in fact my way of dealing with a change in my life I initiated that I was not yet at liberty to disclose. I can now share the news that I decided to end my career at Pet Co to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. Long time readers may recall that I've been with my company for over 13 years- a long time by any standards. I've had a fantastic run with my company and appreciate the investments they have made in my development over the past 13 years. Believe me, this is not a change I took lightly. The circumstances which brought this new opportunity were quite unexpected and sudden. Laws of nature say every action has a reaction, and in this case it couldn't be more true. When I realized it I knew I had to act quickly. It really was a matter of "all the stars aligning" at a precise moment.

Throughout my life I have always trusted my instinct. I am blessed to be guided by a higher power- maybe what some call a guardian angel, but I have never questioned it- I accept it and allow the events to unfold. Without being overly dramatic, this is a major change not only for me, but for my employer as well. You see, I've been a very public "face" of the firm for many years- something of a subject matter expert with broad perspective of the industry and a walking Rolodex.
Yesterday the news of my departure from work was announced internally. It was a complete shock and surprise to many. As the news spread throughout the organization I received a few hundred well-wishing e-mails from colleagues during the course of the day, which was a pleasant surprise.

I do not believe in coincidences. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Early on when the chain of events unfolded that brought about the possibility of this new career, I saw a friend of mine who is a great listener. He sensed my mind was heavy with thought and conflict. He handed me a copy of The Mental Equivalent, by Emmet Fox- a fascinating document about the power of positive thinking. From it, I learned the importance of making up one's mind about what you do want, and completely eliminating all thoughts of what will hold you back, or don't want to happen. By doing so, the positive energy would help make it happen. I did just that. I used a dash of common sense, a dash of dreams with a dash of good business sense and set the events in motion. The rest just unfolded naturally.

Looking back I am amazed at the timing of it all. It's cool that my friend gave me a book which turned out to be just what I needed to sort everything out and get my head around this matter. I don't think it was mere coincidence that I saw my friend on that day, and that he happened to have a book handy, or that he happened to think it would help me. I believe the timing of seeing that friend and the book were almost "sent" to me. Of course I had free choice to ignore it, not read the book, or not choose to even follow what the author wrote. So you see why looking back, I feel there was a set of truly amazing occurrences that all happened at precisely the right time. I never questioned it, I accepted it. Sometime next week I'll share more details. All I can share at the moment is that I shall continue to work within the pet industry and look forward to continuing my passions about improving the health of dogs and cats.

Now here's another amazing element: Last summer a friend of mine who reads numerology predicted this change, although I had completely forgotten about it. She described the end of a "very long cycle" and pointed to the December/January time frame when something big would change and it would be karmic. I'll leave out the rest of what she said, but it was quite positive.

So I'll leave it at that. For those of you who have sent e-mails or left comments trying to decipher the last weeks of cryptic posts, THANK YOU for your concern. I am happy to report that all is quite well. I am quite sure this is destiny following its natural course. More to come on this next week, in The News Part II.
-Rick Rockhill

20 comments:

Karelian Blonde said...

Go with your gut is what I have always believed in and change is good. If it turns out to be not so good, make another change.

Big virtual hug and looking forward to The News Part II :)

kenju said...

Excellent post. I wholeheartedly agree with you about the decision-making process and about excluding all negative thought - or those that have no bearing on what you are seeking. It works, and yet so few of us are able to do that. Congratulations, Rick.

My son recently left a job he'd been with for 13 years too, and hopefully, this new company will be a better fit for him. I wish the same for you!

Dr.Virginia Rockhill said...

Rick, You know I believe in you!! You'll do well in anything you put your mind and energy into.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

good for you rick! i know you loved your employer but when it's time, well it's time! i am very proud of you!

and i LOVE the fish photo for this post. perfect.

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxooxoxox

Anonymous said...

I know the decision was tough and easy at the same time. Looks like you have an awesome journey ahead of you. For that, I'm soooo excited for you.

I'm a firm believer in trusting the "gut". It's a basic animal instinct that we humans have learned to ignore.

Go where you are led, and enjoy the trip along the way. Hugs, my friend... big hugs...

Rhodester said...

*GASP!*

I certainly wish you the best. I hope you keep this blog going, which I assume you will since it's about you and Palm Springs, not Petco.. but you're not looking at relocating in the future, are you?

Okay, okay.. news pt 2! Anxiously awaiting..

Rick Rockhill said...

Rhodester- don't be silly. Of course The Palm Springs Savant shall continue! Now what I really want to know is when you *GASPED* did you clutch your string of pearls at the same time?

Rhodester said...

But of course! And I fanned myself too.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

As much as you loved working for PetCo, if it's time, it's time. Staying when you shouldn't only turns things sour.

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to learning more about your new endeavor!

KathyA said...

Wow! That is great news. I've had a feeling something was up; not sure what triggered it. But, I am glad for you -- more than glad, actually.

Jeni said...

Congrats -big time - on the alignment of the moon and stars and the new job. I can see where Petco would miss your presence for them as you have been a very good emissary for them in your blog so I can just imagine this is a big hit on their operation then to lose your knowledge and abilities.
But as you said, change comes and sometimes, we figure it out to be in our best interests then to accept it too. As long as you're gonna stay with the blog and keep us informed and entertained -that's what really matters here, ya know! LOL

Odat said...

Wow...A new journey! I love those...good luck...I'm positive you're going to do just fine!!!
Peace

Mo and The Purries said...

I'm sure PetCo will miss your talents! But SO excited for you!
Congrats on embracing the change!

Looking forward to more details on the next step of your adventure!

grace said...

Life is what you make it, so make it a good one. xox

Jodi said...

Congratulations on the new turn in your life! I'm sure you will "land on your feet" wherever you go!

J.

Maggie Moo said...

The entire time I was reading this post I kept thinking about your numerology friend who talked about change-how wonderful...I wish you the best of luck Rick. Your faith, passion and zest for life will surely make this move a success.

All the best...

Desert Songbird said...

Well, Rick, I must say, this doesn't really surprise me. For some reason, by reading "between the lines" I more or less inferred that you would be making this change. I don't know why; I just did. I wish you all the luck in your new endeavors.

Another of my online friends also made a huge change in her life recently, and she is completely at peace. I'm sure the same awaits you, my friend.

snowelf said...

Rick, just from the energy of this post, I feel like you are both comfortable and excited for this change. I can imagine that your co-workers are going to miss you very much.

And I seem to remember you talking about your numerologist friend saying something-did you post about it? Maybe I am just imagining it, but I swear I remember something about that...

I absolutely believe the universe guides us in exactly the direction we need to be. We don't always listen, but sometimes the signs are unmistakable. I love stories like the one you just shared. I know my blog is called "just another ironic coincidence" but it's named that as a play on life--because you're right...nothing...nothing is a coincidence. I also believe the universe gives us exactly what we need if we ask for help. Everything happens for a reason, you just have to believe.

Take care and I hope this change brings you a whole new cycle of happiness and good fortune.

much love,
--snow

snowelf said...

p.s. Love the new profile picture and it's caption. :)

Cheryl said...

I'm truly excited for you and can't wait to hear about the next chapter in your full and richly lived life!

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