I Blessed the Rains Down in Africa!

Hi Everyone!

In November, I was afforded the opportunity to go and visit my best friend Lisa in her new home in Ethiopia. She has been living there as a volunteer since April and through some amazing twists of fate, and an incredibly generous and amazing new friend Alli, I was given the opportunity to fly over to Ethiopia for two weeks.

And so, on November 2nd, away I went flying straight to Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. I was like a little kid on the 13-hour flight...didn't sleep at all! Could not wait to see my friend and to touch down in Africa for the first time in my life. When I arrived, I couldn't get my visa and my luggage fast enough. Finally after all the business was taken care of and I'm pushing my cart out the final security check, I see Lisa's head emerge from the crowd - we both began jumping up and down from afar! I made it through security and we just hugged for like 5 minutes! I couldn't believe I was there - what was in store? How was she doing? Would I ever sleep again? :) It truly felt like a dream come true to be there.

We spent the next two weeks exploring, learning, laughing, helping, eating, walking, traveling and just enjoying life. On night one, Lisa and her roommate Eden had a get together at their house so I was able to meet a lot of her close friends in Addis. Instantly, from minute one, I felt incredibly comfortable in this country. The people are so genuine and go out of their way to make you feel instantly connected. I felt like we had been friends for years and were just catching up! To see Lisa have such a support system like I saw gave me so much comfort. Like we always say, it truly is the people who help shape the experience. That is evident in Ethiopia.

With some of the girls at Entoto

I was able to spend a full day at the Beza Outreach program at Entoto Mountain where Lisa spends the majority of her time. We went to Kids Club where children come to the house for 1/2 day and participate in various educational activities, play games and sports, read books in the library and discuss lessons from the Bible. As soon as we walked through the gates into the outside play area, we were instantly greeted by tons of little kids grabbing our hands and leading us into the area. They were so happy to have us there and just wanted to get down to the business of welcoming us and playing! Some would speak some English, many would not, but that didn't matter one bit. With a flash of a smile, you made a connection with a little one that was unlike anything I've seen.

Lisa and the staff had a lot of work to do that day and so I was introduced to the staff (big shout out to Birukti, Eden, Danica and Selam!) and made myself at home with the children in the outdoor activities. We jumped rope. We played keep away. We played soccer. The kids played paparazzi with my camera. We played a game that was all in Amharic (the language spoken in Ethiopia) where everyone links arms and stands in a circle. Someone is "it" and is singing a line to a song and the rest of the group responds back with another line to a song. Then eventually the "it" person breaks through the circle and gets chased up and down the lot. Didn't understand it at all, but boy did they LOVE when I was "it!" I'm not even sure what I was singing or doing but it brought a lot of joy to the group. And to the adults watching, haha.

Another great moment there came in the afternoon after the majority of the morning kids left. There were two little girls who stayed and wanted to keep playing with me. I had brought some Halloween candy to the house as a treat to be used when the staff saw fit. Well, I think the little girls saw my bag of candy because they kept saying "chocolate, candy" to me. So I went upstairs and asked Lisa if I could give them some candy. I brought a big bag of mini packets of candy corn so I knew that would be perfect. I told her I had two little girls and she gave my one little packet for them to share. I sort of looked at her a bit strangely, thinking, wouldn't this be easier if they each got one? This is probably going to be tough to get them to share. But I know Lisa knows best so I headed away with my one packet for the girls. We sat down and I showed them the packet. Immediately, one of the girls took the packet as the other one waited. She opened up the packet and in her small hands began dividing the candy corn into two even piles. She gave the one pile to the other little girl and kept one pile for herself. Then instantly, they each handed me a piece of their candy corn pile to enjoy. I was in awe. I just sat there staring at the two of them. Sharing was not even a question - they were just so grateful to have this treat that they wanted all of us to enjoy it. Now I know this may seem like a small thing, but to me it was a beautiful, innocent moment. I had only been in Ethiopia for 3 days at that point but I already had so many realizations and takeaways.

I was able to get a real picture of what Lisa's life is like in Ethiopia. We had our share of fun for sure - eating chicken at the Beer Garden; learning about the Ethiopian tradition of the gorsha; having the best Italian food ever at Castelli's in Addis; relaxing by and playing in the pool at the Hilton; attending a wedding in Debre Zeit - literally one of the most beautiful places on Earth; attending church at Beza International and following it up with incredible burgers at Seshu; getting to see Lucy who is more than 3 million years old; sitting on the roof deck at Bon Cafe; going to an AMAZING club called Illusion on my last night and dancing the night away (Birukti you get MVP for this night!); and just cooking breakfast or dinner and hanging out with great friends while listening to amazing music at Lisa & Eden's apartment.

In Giza

Lisa and I also had the opportunity to travel to Egypt in the middle of my time over there as it's only a 3.5 hour flight from Addis. What an experience. So much history. So much beauty. Such a different culture. We navigated our way through Cairo and Alexandria with nothing more than a United Arab Emirates airline brochure! Although challenging at times, definitely an experience I'll take with me for the rest of my life. Visiting the Pyramids of Giza by camel; standing in front of the Sphinx; taking the train up to Alexandria to see the city on the sea; looking at Ramses II's mummy; experiencing my first authentic shisha at a cafe in Cairo; sailing down the Nile River; finding a Chili's on the Nile in Cairo and enjoying some chips and salsa; learning about the traditions in a beautiful mosque in Islamic Cairo; bargaining at Khan el-Khalili market; and ending the trip at a happening jazz club in downtown Cairo. So grateful for the experience.

I can't say enough about the places that I saw or the people that I met while on this journey. In Ethiopia, I saw regular, everyday people willing to sacrifice their time, money and luxuries to genuinely help those in need. It's as simple as that. They recognize a need and they are doing their best to make a difference in peoples' lives every day. I am humbled and blessed to know these amazing people...and especially to call one of them my best friend.

Major "ah hah" moments/lessons learned from the trip:

·  Recognizing your blessings and sharing them as much as you can. On my first full day in Ethiopia, Lisa and I went to Kaldi's, an amazing coffee/breakfast shop. I ordered pancakes (which were amaze!) but didn't finish them. Many people know that I rarely finish my meals when I'm out to eat - it's just too much. Unfortunately it usually goes to waste. Well Lisa suggested that we wrap up the pancakes. She said that on our walk we would find someone to give them to. And so we did just that and instantly found a woman and her infant on the road. I knelt down and handed her the wrapped up pancakes and we had this instant, basic human connection. It felt so good that I brought it up several times to Lisa on the trip. It was such a simple, easy thing for me to do, yet living here in the States, I never really took the time to do that. Well boy has that impacted me. When I go out to dinner now, and I walk away with leftovers, I will make sure that it's wrapped up and given to someone in need. I did it multiple times while in Ethiopia and Egypt and each time I had that warm feeling - we're all in this together.

·  The greatest gift we have to give is love. Love is all you need.  Sure it may sound like a Beatles song but let me tell you this was probably the greatest lesson learned on this trip. We had the opportunity to visit an orphanage in Addis on my last day in town. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I knew there were children there from infant age up through probably 10 years old. There were six of us volunteers who walked up to the orphanage yard. We saw the little guys first (probably 2, 3 and 4 years old). Picture about 50 toddlers all come running towards you at once smiling and laughing. They came right up to us and instantly reached their arms up towards us to be held. We each had two or three in our arms at once. They would reach up to be held and as soon as you picked them up they put their head on your shoulder and just snuggled. Then there would be four more at your feet grabbing on and looking to be hugged and picked up as well. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. These little kids just wanted love. They wanted to feel touch and to feel loved. I was so moved. On the playground with the older kids it was a similar feeling. They wanted to hold hands. They wanted me to watch them do tricks on the jungle gym. They wanted me to push them on the swing. They couldn't say my name so they would all just yell out, "Firenge, firenge," which means foreigner or white person! I thought it was cute so I went with it :) I'd sit down on a bench and I'd have four kids on my lap. They loved my sunglasses and loved playing with my hair! They just loved being loved on. They are kids - that's what they deserve. We have so much love to give - I'm just grateful I had the chance to do that while over there.

Pre-surgery with a few awesome kids

·  What we donate/give really does make a difference. During one of the days in Ethiopia, Lisa brought me to Operation Smile - the organization that provides doctors and nurses to perform free surgeries for children with cleft lip and cleft palate from around the world. My hat is off to this organization - I was beyond impressed and so grateful to be there for even a day to witness the transformation of these little angels. We had the opportunity to hang out in the play area where the kids go right before they are taken in for surgery. In this area they get to learn about what they are about to go through and just have the chance to be kids and play with all sorts of goodies. This was very special because here is where I saw boxes of donated toys and crafts that were literally making these kids lives! They have never played with toys like we had here. Someone said to me that the day they get surgery is literally one of the best days of their lives - 1) because they are getting the surgery that will improve their quality of life, but 2) and more importantly to them at the moment, because they have the chance to laugh and smile and play with these amazing toys and treats that they may never see again. It was just pure innocent, fun behavior - we played with blown up balloons for hours! We jumped rope. We blew bubbles. We colored. We made bracelets. We played doctor to get them comfortable with the doctor tools. It was truly remarkable. It was so good for me to see that donating pencils or play dough or balloons completely makes a child's day/year! It may seem small but the love it brings goes a long way. Shout out to Ruthye for her tireless efforts with this organization!

·  Hospitality and openness.  As I mentioned earlier, from the first minute I landed in Ethiopia, I felt instantly comfortable and welcome. Lisa and Eden opened up their apartment to me for two weeks (which is a long time to have a guest!) and they were so gracious with their space. Not just with me but with anyone - in Ethiopia, it's very common to just stay at other people's houses at any time. And for other volunteers and individuals working in Addis, you'd often find them on a couch or a mattress in Lisa and Eden's apartment. Everyone is there to help one another. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the work being done at the Change for Change house in Addis. Our friend Brian has been volunteering there for the last six months and they are doing amazing things. Taking in these driven boys who were/are living on the streets and providing them with education, discipline and a sense of belonging. They now have somewhere to go. I had the chance to practice some English with one of the boys at the house. He was so touched when I told him that he spoke English very well. The volunteers who I met here like Mule and Camden and of course Brian are giving these boys a chance that they would not have otherwise had. That is so powerful. Bottom line, I think it's easy to feel comfortable in Ethiopia because you genuinely know that people "have your back."

Thanks to everyone who provided friendship and love on this trip. You are all forever etched in my heart and you have given me great gifts that will last long after my return back to the U.S. I know our paths will cross again and I am supporting you from afar! Please know you always have a place to stay should you come to the U.S.

Amesegenallo!! Betam grateful,
Rachael

Moving Forward

Hi Friends!

I bet you thought I had given up on this blog. Well, I have decided to move on from writing frequently, however I thought this would be a good time to send around an update on my life. What a year it has been since I started this blog in January. Some good times, some bad times, but all around, some defining moments. To recap a few:

• Laid off in January - major transition but ultimately a good thing
• Started Rachael English, LLC to start consulting
• Attended a personal leadership conference that opened my heart
• One of my BFF's moved to Ethiopia!
• I traveled to China for my old company - it rocked my world! I ate a scorpion :)
• Was honored to be in my Little's wedding out in Vail, Colorado
• My best friend had her first baby - little Addalyn Rachael!
• Had a kick ass bachelorette party in Chicago for my BFF Katie
• Created a business plan with a fantastic partner for a business I know we will get to one day!
• Participated in various workshops and panels thus honing my passion and focus
• Sublet my townhouse for the summer - became a nomad for two months!
• And now...

As many of you know, I have decided that after nine years in our nation's capital, it is time to move forward. I cannot express how much this city and it's people have impacted me. I am a better person because of my decision to move here and I believe that my time here has forever shaped the woman I am and the woman I want to continue to become. I was determined to get to D.C. my entire life. I was so drawn to the city and knew it would be a great place to spend my 20s...boy was I right!

As that song says, "Life's a journey, not a destination." I was fortunate to have a pretty long period of time here in D.C. where I met friends I will take with me forever. And so it's not with a sad heart, but with a full and hopeful heart that I move into this new chapter. Just another stop on my journey of life. There will be tough times; there will be rough patches; but I'm taking with me the strength that I gained over the years which shows me that I am ready for anything!

So as I pack up my things and move out of my townhouse on September 1st, I will go with a few tears of course, but more than that, a HUGE smile filled with years and years of memories and fun. My plan is to take a little time in my hometown of Hamilton, NJ, regroup, pound the pavement and get myself a full-time job ideally in the great city of Chicago. I know some of you might be worried - how will a girl like me who brushes her hair every 20 minutes be able to survive in the Windy City?? Well, I will say the same way I did in every other city: with lots of love and support in my corner and hairbrushes at work, at home and in every purse :)

Thank you for being there to support me. I can't wait to share this next journey with all of you! I am feeling a new blog coming up as I make the transition and move. So stay tuned for that!

Know that you all are forever etched in my heart - you have made an impact more than you could know - I have a takeaway from each of you. Thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step. I promise I won't let you down! Here's to moving forward!

Love,

Rachael

P.S. A good friend pointed out that having a theme song is important during transition. And so of course, my theme song comes from my favorite artist, the great Kelly Clarkson!

"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly,

Thought it's not easy to tell you goodbye.

I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change

And breakaway."

1 More Hour

I took some time for myself tonight. I took an hour and went to my favorite spot in Washington, D.C. - Gravelly Point. For those who don't know, it's a great spot off the GW Parkway right by Reagan National Airport where you can watch the planes take off and land. Nothing calms me more than this place.

While I was sitting there, I got to thinking. When I was working full-time, I often wished I had more hours in the day. I wished I had time to spend my days doing something different or interesting. Something crazy fun. But sadly, I didn't really have those extra hours/I didn't make the time for them. Well, I'm in an entirely different position right now. And with that, I'm hoping to recruit you for some inspiration.

If you had 1 extra hour in your day, how would you spend it? What would you do? I want to use your posts as a "to do" list for me over the next few days/weeks. You have one extra hour to your day - how would you fill it? You write me and if possible, I am going to do all of these things. I'm looking to be motivated from you.

So please, take a few minutes and post back either via Facebook or via this blog and let me know what you would do with one more hour. Even if it's unique to you, that's okay. I want to see how we would spend this precious time.

Thanks everyone! You inspire me :)
Rachael

Crossroads Smiling

Hi friends,

Can you believe it's been a month since my last blog post? I feel like I may have let some of you down with my lack of writing. The reason for it is that my inspiration has changed over the past month. The purpose for this blog is now changing.

Three months ago, after being laid off, I found myself in this unique position of being under-employed and over-inspired. I say unique becuse most people sadly in life are over-employed and under-inspired. Those first two months were a lot of me dealing with the raw emotion and moving forward with my new reality. My everything was wrapped up in the organization I left - my social network, my professional development, my management values, my housemates, my friends, my time. I found myself at a new beginning. I was fortunate that right away I was given an opportunity with a former colleague to start my own business. After having my confidence shaken with the lay-off, and then having someone express interest in me, I felt very inspired. With that, I didn't fully go through the emotions like I may have needed. Through this blog and the support of my new business partner, friends and family, I was able to charge ahead. But that charge ahead meant that there were some pieces of the change and my emotions with which I wasn't dealing. Hence the multiple blog posts per week at the beginning and the lack of writing lately. I am a different person than I was three months ago and this last month I have had the chance to really focus on myself - which is why I've been distant.

This last month has been really interesting. I had the fortunate opportunity to attend a leadership retreat at a quiet conference center in Valley Forge, PA (see the picture of the people in my group). This retreat was professional in nature, but my takeaways could not have been more personal. It was the first time in a very long time, that I really listened to myself. Listened to what was happening and how I was feeling - not how I "should" be feeling or what others in my situation were feeling, but how I was literally feeling. And I got to do it by myself - with no connections to my "real" life, no one who knew me. At this retreat, you take a pseudonym for the week and you leave your history, job titles, upbringing, etc. at the door starting at minute 1 of the retreat. This may sound a little strange but now I completely see the reason. By elminating all the baggage that we carry, we are free to completely be ourselves. Free to say what we really feel without fear of judgment or labeling. It puts everyone on an even playing field as humans...it's amazing what you see when that happens.

Because of my current place in life, I decided to enter the retreat with the name Crossroads. For five intense days, I was referred to only as Crossroads. I learned so much about myself. What you see externally is not always what's going on internally. I tend to internalize A LOT. I tend to apologize for my feelings. I tend to feel like when I have a problem or issue that I am bothering people if I want to talk about it. I don't give enough of myself to people. All things that really surprised me because I put such an emphasis on relationships.

Now, for folks who know me, you might be thinking, "What? I don't agree with any of those things. I feel like you share a lot. I feel like you open up a ton." All this is true. My friends are my life. My main objective in life is to try and be the best person I can for the people close to me. In doing that though, I sometimes ignore my individual needs. My biggest realization at the retreat was that...I need to be needed. Nothing makes me feel more validated than when a friend calls and says that they just needed to hear my voice; or needed to ask for my opinion; or needed a hug. I like people to lean on me. I like to fulfill that supporter role. But with all that, comes a selfishness that I didn't realize was there until I went on this retreat. Being needed is an okay thing (we all need each other sometimes to lean on) as long as the intentions are totally pure. The reality is that people can lean, but ultimately they need to be supported and empowered to rely on themselves so that they are stronger the next time they face the situation. For me, by simply protecting and not always empowering, I can create an unintentional dependency on me, vs. an ability to move through situations individually. This is more common in my work relationships than personal but still.

This was a huge takeaway as I move into this next chapter of my life. Knowing this trait, I can now work on my intentions and work on supporting in a way that empowers. I'd like to be a mother someday. I don't want my children to always rely on me day in and day out. They need to find their own path. This learning that I have applies to myself as well. Right now, I need to lean and be pushed by those closest to me, but ultimately I need to look inside to decide what's next. It is easy to get overwhelmed when you're afforded the opportunity to push the reset button on your life. Should I stay in the same city? Should I just pack up my car and drive somewhere new? Should I get a full-time job? Should I work part-time? How long do I want to be on unemployment? Do people judge me? Should I try something I've always wanted and not worry about how others will perceive it? Should I put everything into this new business venture and go all out? Should I commit to losing those 20 pounds I've wanted to lose for so long? :) There are some days (most) where just about all these things are running through my mind. It's a lot of questioning.

Questions are good, but it's important to not get totally caught up in the questions. What's more important than questioning, is living. Think about what makes you smile every day and do it. Even if it doesn't encompass your entire day, make sure that you smile every day. And for me right now, I am making sure that every day, I do something that makes a personal investment in myself. It may be working out. It may be working on my own personal website. It may be reading a book or learning a new skill. It may be creating a blog post! Every day I need to do something for me. I think we all deserve that for ourselves. After all, we spend the most time with ourselves...we need to take care of ourselves first and foremost so that we can really show up for our other relationships. If I'm at 50%, there is no way I can give 100% to someone else. It's just not possible with the math. So today I stress the importance of self-care. Listen to yourself. Feel good about yourself and make a commitment to yourself every day.

As the subject of the blog has changed a bit and adapted with my changing feelings, I am going to be updating a little less often (monthly), but I'm going to be doing so on my new web page: http://www.rachaelenglish.com/. Right now it's under construction, but it should be up and running in the next month - hold me to it!!! But moving forward, I hope you will save my page in your favorites and check in often to see my happenings and gain advice on how to make that personal commitment to yourself.

Wishing you all the best,

Rachael, aka Crossroads

It's My Call

Wow. It's been awhile since I last wrote - I apologize for that! It's funny, I was thinking the other day about where I was when I started this blog and where I am now. It's been 2 months since the lay-off and I am in SUCH a different place now than I was then. When I started this blog, I was definitely hurt and scared and yet excited and hopeful all at the same time. I had things to say daily and wrote often. Now I find myself averaging a post a week. What changed? Well, I did.
I realize that when I first started this blog, I was trying to find my voice again. My confidence was shaken and I needed a place (a community) where I could go and heal. The purpose of the early weeks of the blog was to do just that - to heal. Now, I am in a very different place. The purpose of this blog is changing for me. I am settling into my new reality. Some parts of that reality I like very much - the freedom; the ability to press reset and totally start anew (if I so choose); the ability to go for long walks during the day; the time to do a little soul searching. On the flip side, there are things about the new reality that make me very anxious - some of the things I listed above. When you have more time to yourself, you have more time to be hard on yourself. And you can get lost in the world of job searching; the opinions of others; pursuing your own business ventures; or just coasting until the real reality sets in...the financial reality.
Where I'm going with all this is that during a change or transition, you go through all sorts of stages. This blog had such an amazing purpose when I first began - it helped me forgive and it helped me heal. Now, I am moving into this next phase where I can see some different paths in front of me (pursue my own business; get a new full-time job; get a temporary job; move to a new city; do volunteer work; etc.) and I am completely at that crossroads. If you think of life as a map, and you look back in time, you can usually see those times where you came to a fork in the road of your life journey. Knowing history, this time will pass and ultimately you'll be on a new path again but while you are staring at the fork, it can be completely overwhelming. Which path do I choose? I can seek advice and guidance from my friends and loved ones but much like that feeling that I had when I graduated from college, it is ultimately up to me. I need to have some real conversations with myself (which is simple to do because scheduling time with myself is pretty easy these days!!) and determine which path I'm going to take. Do I trust myself enough? Am I strong enough?
Now is the time I make a personal commitment to myself. It's easy to live your life for others and through others. There are many times in my life where I have done that. But right now, with no formal commitments, it's my time to shine. And to determine what it means to shine - my definition may have changed and that's okay. That's my call.
So here's to calling your own shots and believing enough in yourself that after 31 years (for me), I can trust that I will make the right decision and I will be a better person for whatever path I choose. No regrets...only growth.
Here's to that next chapter. The blog will be focusing on those crossroads decisions and I would like to use this community as a place to share the ups and downs and to ultimately remember that if you trust in yourself, you will be successful. I need help reminding myself of that sometimes.
Thanks for your support! And away we go!
Rachael

The Concept of Failing

Lay-off Tip #18: Don't Be Afraid to Fail

Why does the word failure have such a negative stigma? Why are we so afraid of failing or of pushing our children not to fail? If we think of it at the basic level of fail vs. succeed, of course we're going to want success. But the more I explore what is next in my life and the more I read about success stories, I realize that life is filled with failed moments and major roadblocks. The most successful people in the world have failed along the way. Yet they pick themselves up and start again. That is the key.

This concept inspired me to look back in history at some folks who failed often before they ultimately succeeded.

• Henry Ford - before forming the successful Ford Motor Company, Ford was left broke five times from failed businesses
• Walt Disney - no one can argue with this success right now as it's a powerhouse company, but Walt Disney himself had a rough start, being fired by a newspaper editor because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas." He then had a number of business that failed and went into bankruptcy but he kept pushing.
• Thomas Edison - in his early years, teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." And he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. In addition, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb - 1,000! But he kept trying and eventually got it right.
• Michael Jordan - most people know that Michael was cut from his high school basketball team before he went on to become a star. Jordan always appreciated how these setbacks helped him along the way and he is famous for this quote, "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

There is much to be said from these stories and for me it's just so inspiring. I don't believe that some people just get lucky. Sure luck is a part of it but I believe life is about hard work and it is absolutely about knowing how to fail. The failure lasts for a moment. But it's how you deal with it that lingers on. We need to start accepting that failure will be a part of life. That is when you really live - when you learn where you need to improve; where you need to ask for help; where you really have passion. We mustn't shy away from this concept - rather we need to start preparing for what we will do when we do fail.

I'll end with the following quote: "Don't be afraid to fail. Don't waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge. It's OK to fail. If you're not failing, you're not growing."

Here's to growth!
Rachael

Happy Birthday!

So...yesterday was my 31st birthday and the events of the day were totally blog-worthy! Now being laid off and having many friends in a similar situation, it's important to be frugal while celebrating. And believe it or not, it is totally possible...even in a big city like D.C.

I found myself surprised by two of my best friends yesterday morning. They came to the door with an agenda and a stack of papers. Upon further examination, I realized that we were celebrating a day of freebies, courtesy of D.C. and Virginia vendors! This was amazing! I have to give credit to these awesome places and figured this blog was the way to do it. Now anyone can partake in this excitement during their birthday month, but you have to sign up on the company's website prior to the actual day. And if you are really lucky, maybe one of your good friends will sign up for you, using their email so you can avoid the daily emails that will inevitably follow (thank you Katie!).

Check out some of the cool deals we had!

• Bruegger's Bagels - free bagel with cream cheese
• Baskin Robbins - free ice cream cone
• Noodles & Co. - free entree
• Bailey's Pub & Grill - free appetizer (with the purchase of an entree)
• Chevy's - free appetizer (with the purchase of an entree)
• Sephora - free birthday gift! I got shampoo/body wash!
• Cake Love - free cupcake
• Ella's Wood Fired Pizza - free pizza

So no matter your situation, remember that birthdays are meant for total celebration...and let's face it, it's usually the gifts that cost very little that matter the most, namely, quality time with great friends.
Rachael

Too Good to Be True

Lay-off Tip #17: Too good to be true usually means too good to be true

Why is that? I am a trusting person. I believe in the things that people say. Some people call that naive. Maybe it is, but I'd rather live that way than constantly thinking that people have an ulterior motive. However, sometimes that can get you into trouble.

Being laid off and looking for short term assignments, I find myself seeing tons of articles and advertisements telling me to "get rich quick!" I know normally we are told to ignore those things, but sometimes I have to think that there is something there! Why would it be there if it wasn't true?!? Why aren't there "quick fixes" out there?

The reality is that everything that is worth something in life takes some work to achieve. It's like working out - if there was a miracle drug or exercise that we could all do to lose weight fast, we'd all do it. But then we'd take it for granted. However, when we commit ourselves to a 30 or 60 day workout routine and see positive results, we are so grateful and appreciative and have a newfound respect for ourselves.

I have a yoga video that I sometimes use, the lady says that you have to be accountable for yourself and put the effort in so that you can truly reap the benefits. If you work hard for it and truly earn it, then you are really living.

So although some of these "get rich quick" and "magic diet pills" may have some merit, the bottom line is that it takes a belief in yourself and a commitment to your future to live a happy, healthy life. It means not taking the easy road and putting in some blood, sweat and tears.

Think back to the times in your life where you have been truly proud of yourself or of others. Haven't they been when you, or that individual, really pushed him/herself and made a personal commitment? That's the good stuff.

Now, if I could only sell that timeshare I bought years ago ;)
Rachael

Say Yes

Lay-off Tip #16: Just Say Yes

No, this is not a drug commercial flipped around. This is a great motto to adopt when you're going through change. Now obviously you don't want to get self-destructive, but you do want to try some new adventures.

Often when we're working, we find that we just don't have time to do things. Or we're tired. I get that, believe me. But now I'm thinking about all the fun options that are out there. Now is the time. Rather than staying home, go out and meet those friends that invited you out. Try a new food or a new drink (I need to take this advice!). Learn more about your city - go to the museums or new restaurants. Do a random activity like painting pottery or learning how to play the piano. Really explore.

I'm thinking about that movie Yes Man with Jim Carrey. He attends a conference and walks away not being able to say no to anything. Hilarity ensues. In saying yes to so many things, you really start to learn what matters most to you and what you want to do. And your confidence level is going to go WAY up because you are trying new things. It's good to feel proud of yourself sometimes.

On that note, I'm going to go explore all the fun things D.C. has to offer! Enjoy!
Rachael

Stop and Think

Lay-off Tip #15: Give Brotherly Love

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I've been thinking a lot about love. All kinds of love. But most recently, the idea of brotherly love. How do we love one another? The people we know and the people we don't know.

I was riding the metro home today and a gentleman was walking around with a piece of laminated paper describing his unfortunate situation (deaf, diabetes, homeless) and asking for money. We have all had these experiences before whether on the side of a road, in a mall, walking down the street or riding on a train. But what is fascinating is the reaction given when we have these encounters. The typical response from everyone (at least on my train) was a quick look at the paper, then a shrug saying "no." No eye contact with the gentleman, no asking questions, nothing. Some didn't even read his entire sign. I'm definitely not judging because it's exactly what I did. But it made me stop and think. Why are we so quick to judge people who are asking for a handout?

• Is it because we value needing to work hard for success?
• Do we just not have the money ourselves?
• Are we lazy?
• Is there a negative stigma associated with people asking for something from others?
• Do we assume they will spend the handout on something bad?

At the end of the day, what does it hurt to give someone $.50 or $1.00? Or even $5.00. Why do we stay so strong as to not helping our "brothers" in need? I think about the response I received after being laid off. People were so generous and so willing to lend a hand, buy a lunch or offer a couch to sleep on. True, they know me well and they know my character and with these individuals in question, we don't know a lot about them. But at the end of the day, isn't it our responsibility to look out for our brothers? If we don't take the time to be there for one another, who will?

I know this is a controversial subject and we all may have strong opinions on the matter. But I hope this gives you some pause the next time you see someone in that situation. At the end of the day, we all need a little help sometimes. And it is very difficult to ask someone else for something. But think about the difference you can make - people need encouragement and support. It is hard to ask for a handout and sure there are people out there who may take advantage. But regardless, for a small cost, you can feel good about the difference you are making in someone's life and the fact that you are looking out for your brothers. And let's be honest, you can't be expected to always contribute financially to someone in need. But more importantly than actually giving the money is the way that you treat the person. If you aren't able to give, look them in the eye and say that. Feel for their situation. Compassion goes a long way. We're all in this thing called life together. We will all be down on our luck and there will be a time where you just need someone to say, "I feel for you. I'm here for you. I hope your situation improves." Stop and think.

Do a selfless act this week in the spirit of brotherly love. And if you do it in Philadelphia you get bonus points :)
Rachael

Regis & Kelly

Lay-off Tip #14: Celebrate the Milestones

So this is the second post that has the subject line of a daytime talk show :). But today's episode of Live with Regis & Kelly had me tearing up! It is their 10 year anniversary together and so the entire week was focused on looking back and celebrating their accomplishments and time together. I feel like that's something that we don't do enough.

Sure, we'll do gifts or a champagne toast or a card but usually only when it's an official anniversary. 10 years at a company; 5 year wedding anniversary; birthdays; graduations; etc. But there are so many unofficial milestones to celebrate. Both personally and professionally. When you think about your life as a big road map, it is usually the bumps and curves and mile markers that we remember, but sometimes we should stop and celebrate the journey between each marker. Look at a particular path on your life journey, from a low valley to a high peak. Whatever you did during that time, whoever was there for you - that is the good stuff. Not just the highlighted end points but the journey in between.

One of my favorite quotes is focused on the choices we make along our life path, "All of life is a journey, which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there."

It's time to reflect more on our successes and relationships. I realize that after the lay-off the subject of my conversations with people was the actual lay-off itself. I believe that needed to happen at the beginning because I had to process the event (that mile marker). During those conversations, we didn't spend a lot of time focusing on the time spent at the company. Now that it's been over a month, I've moved into the phase where I want to reminisce and celebrate all that happened while I was there. It was a company unlike any other - my friends outside of the company would always be amazed at how close everyone was and how it really filled my social calendar :). It's time to look back fondly.

I encourage you, don't wait until the official anniversaries - take time now to celebrate your relationships and your accomplishments. Everyday you have successes! Acknowledge them. It'll make your life happier each and every day.

Never underestimate the power of daytime television. They really do have some great ideas! And they know how to celebrate :)
Rachael

Strength

Lay-off Tip #13: You're stronger than you think

I've been saying that phrase for awhile now, starting right after the lay-off. Change is scary; we all know that. But it's also true that change needs to happen for life to really mean something. Going off to college - scary but for many, some of the best years of their lives. Moving to a new city (or country!) - extremely scary but for many it opens up a door to a new job, new friends, new significant other, etc.

Have a little faith in yourself. It's so cliche, but it's true. Do something that scares you. Maybe not every day but every once in awhile. Fear is actually a good thing. The fear is there because it's something that really mattes and it's where you have the potential to really feel alive. If you're just coasting, you're not really living.

Today I did something that scared me a lot. I did 90 minutes of Bikram yoga (hot yoga for the people like me who had no clue). It was my first time and I have been so scared to do it. 105 degrees for 90 minutes doing yoga...are you kidding me!?!? But I'm happy to report that I made it through the full class and did just about all of the poses. I walked out of there with an increased confidence and the realization that our mind, body and soul are stronger than we often give ourselves credit for.

Think about something that really scares, yet intigues you. It may be a new job, it may be a new exercise, it may be asking someone out. Whatever it is, give it a try. Regardless of the outcome, you will be proud of yourself for doing it. And at the end of the day, that self-respect and self-worth is really what matters most. After all, you spend the most amount of time with yourself!

Namaste :)
Rachael

The Signs are Everywhere

Lay-off Tip #12: Look Around. The signs for "what's next" are all around you!

When you have a little more time on your hands, I believe your senses become more acute. That idea of taking time to smell the roses. Of course you can always smell the roses but when you have more time on your hands, they have a more intense smell.

For me, I'm noticing this a lot. A hug means so much more than it has in the past. Rather than just drinking whatever wine is around, I'm enjoying actually tasting the different varieties. I'm fascinated by people I don't know and even more so by people I do know. I'm hearing things differently. I can really feel what people are saying...my empathy has grown significantly.

With this increased sense, come the signs pointing you towards your next big adventure. Watch out for them. They could be telling you to take some time and volunteer. They could be pointing you to open your own business. They could be telling you to move. They could be telling you to spend some time with your kids. As I list these things, I realize that all the folks around me (myself included) are doing these. Time is a beautiful thing. It gives you the chance to touch, hear, see, smell and taste more.

I'm looking for signs all the time. I feel confident with the path I'm marching down. Just today, I received this message in an email. It could not be more appropriate for the situation. I thought I'd share it here. It's called, "For a New Beginning," by John O'Donohue:

...It watched you play with the seduction of safety

and the gray promises that sameness whispered,

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,

And you stepped onto new ground,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plentitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Talk about inspiration. That new rhythm is coming. For now, it's time to take that risk!
Rachael

The Power of Connection

Lay-off Tip #11: Take time for quality meals with good people

Many of my friends are joking that since my lay-off (a month ago today), I have become a "lady who lunches." I've gone on a number of lunch dates with a variety of different people who have impacted my life. Some I've had lunch with many times before; others I never really had as much quality time. However, something happens when you go through a major change that has you re-evaluate your situation. You become a lot more patient, and you appreciate quality time.

The people that I have seen over the last month have provided me with so much love, support and conversation, that it's hard to get bored! Some of the people I've had lunch with share my story and they too have been laid off. Others are still at the organization. And still others are those friends who have been there through thick and thin. Every single person has helped me to heal.

It's amazing the bond that happens when you have a shared experience. Even though it's something negative, the bond that is created is so positive that it makes you realize it was supposed to happen. I love the lunches with people who have experienced the same thing as me because there is a comfort and an ease about everything you say. You're not trying to be strong; you're not trying to be mad; quite simply put, you don't have to try. And you both are on the same page with regards to time...you have it and you are filling it with things that are good for your heart. I like that.

The people who are still at the organization have also helped me to heal. They make my work there feel so valued. They acknowledge that I'm gone and miss the times that we had. They too are looking for guidance and support and some are hurting just as much. I like meeting with these people because they are still a part of something that I will always love and I appreciate that connection. I also love that they genuinely feel for what I'm going through and show appropriate sympathy. They make me feel like I matter.

Then there are those tried and true friends who had nothing to do with the organization but have been there throughout my entire relationship with it. They just get it. They know that it's hard and show sympathy for that, but they also have perspective of life outside these walls. They have faith in me and knew me before this organization, thus giving me confidence for life again outside of the organization. I like these people because they have a permanent seat in my roller coaster of life :)

These lunches have been good for my belly, but more importantly good for my soul. I love taking 2 hours out of my day and just being with one other person...there is nothing better than that connection. Oh, and once things rebound, I look forward to returning the favor and treating these friends to lunch! Life is cyclical like that!

So rather than constantly thinking about what's next, take some time to be in the moment and spend a few hours with a good friend or a former colleague and really listen. Everyone has a story to tell. The best way to support is to allow a person to be heard.
Rachael

Don't Forget Your Childhood Dream

Lay-off Tip #10: Dreams Still Can Come True, Just in a Different Form

I was thinking back the other day about some of my childhood dreams. The age old story you tell yourself about what you want to be when you grow up. The reality is, I think you will probably always ask yourself that question. My dad still says that!

When I was little, I remember thinking at first that I wanted to be an electrical engineer. What's up with that!?! How did I know what that was? I actually think it was featured on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood one day and I thought, that would be a different job - I could make light bulbs turn on! Then I slowly evolved into wanting to go into professional politics. I wanted to be a Senator (I even wrote a report about it in 8th grade). I loved everything about politics - most likely because my Dad dabbled in professional politics when I was younger. His tag line, "Vote for English, I speak your language." I loved it. Sadly the people didn't as much as he didn't win that election. But nonetheless, the passion for politics and government came to the forefront, hence why I majored in Political Science in college and immediately moved to Washington, D.C. when I completed college.

Looking at those two ideas I had for when I grew up, one could easily think, well, those didn't come true! What's the point of those dreams if you're just going to go down another path. I'd argue that that they did come true, just in another form.

I realized probably in the last five years, that my passion is for educating and motivating people around the world. I love interacting with people, I feel like I understand them and nothing gives me more pleasure than helping someone gain a little more faith in themselves. So I would say that I have the electrical engineer in me because my passion is making those light bulbs go off in people. And I have the politics in me because I enjoy the true spirit of public service and the real reason folks should go into that arena. To help others. To find a platform where they can positively influence those around them. That's what it's all about. And to be an advocate for the people (you remember my advocacy post a week or so ago?).

That is who I am. That is what I love. And regardless of where my path goes in the future, I will still be living those childhood dreams. Think about yours for a minute. What did you want to be? Are you incorporating that in any way into your life? If not, take a little time to see how you can get back to the root of where that dream started. You may not really be able to be that astronaut, but you can find a job/hobby that fulfills that passion to fly; or to take risks; to be bold; to solve problems; etc.

Cheers to Childhood Dreams Coming True! See you in Disneyworld (where dreams come true...get it) :)
Rachael

Take Care of Yourself

Lay-off Tip #9: Do a few big things for yourself!

So many times in life we find ourselves saying that we don't have enough time. We'd love to finish that scrapbook we've had on our shelf but we just don't have four hours to sit down and do it. We have a do-it-yourself project that needs some attention but we're again too busy. Sometimes we don't even take the time for haircut because we get so wrapped up in things that we're doing for work or for other people that we "forget." That is because we are not putting ourselves first.

Now, let's be real, in all honesty, you can't always put yourself first - unless you just want to have a relationship with yourself all the time! However, when things happen to you that really throw you off your game, or make a big impact in your life (like a lay-off), it is imperative that you press pause, and do at least 1 or 2 main things just for yourself.

I got a haircut the other day for the first time since Thanksgiving. It was time for a fresh start - cut out the old and get ready for the new! I have a friend who is going to be volunteering at the National Archives because he is super interested in history. Another friend has been going through her closet and purging as much as possible to give away to Good Will (something she's been wanting to do for a long time). Whatever it is, take that time to do something for yourself that provides you with a sort of cleansing or purging to then be able to dive into your next job/project/plan.

Do that thing you always said you would do! Go sky dive. Go out and see the museums in your area. Write cards to people who mean the world to you. Or maybe, start a blog :)
Rachael

It's Okay to Lean

Lay-off Tip #8: Others Want You to Lean on Them

My friends mean everything to me. As I'm sure many of you feel, I would walk through fire for them any day of the week. Nothing gives me more happiness than when I can be there for my friends when they've had a tough day at work; when they've broken up with a boyfriend; when they are down on their luck; when they're getting ready to face a life decision; etc. Being trusted by your friends and being able to be that shoulder to lean on means everything to me.

However, as comfortable I am with people leaning on me, I've had a hard time in life when I'm the one that needs to do the leaning. That feeling of being totally vulnerable is tough! But what I've realized the most throughout this process is that your friends want you to lean on them. A friend once told me that they really appreciate the fact that I am there for them but that they also want to be there for me! That shows them that I trust them as much as they trust me. If you don't take the time to lean on your friends and be truly vulnerable, you are doing them a disservice and denying them of that wonderful feeling that you get when you can be there for someone. I can't tell you the amount of people that have been there through this tough time - offering to buy a meal or pay for a drink, or offering up their couch should times get really tough! Just this past weekend I was visiting my best friend for her birthday. It was her birthday and yet when I arrived to her house she had something for me. A bag full of groceries! And Rachael-friendly groceries at that (chicken noodle soup, mac & cheese, etc.).

So if you are at all like me and you go through something like this, cut yourself some slack and be okay with doing some leaning. It will strengthen your relationships and give you the comfort that you need. And your friends want you to lean. Believe me.

Oh, and once you do get that job again, go ahead and buy a round at the bar for those wonderful people :)
Rachael

Stay Social

Lay-off Tip #7: Find those "free" deals!

One of the biggest stressors when you're laid off is money. When will the next job come in? Will I be taking a pay cut? Do I have to pay for health insurance now? Etc. And, if you're like me, you still want to be social!! I was going out 4 or 5 nights of the week pre-lay-off! Nothing huge but going to a movie or a happy hour or dinner. That's a hard transition to make if I were to just cut that.

Balancing your social life in the unemployed world can be difficult. Here are some ideas for staying social yet still saving money:

• Find a friend who has a Costco membership & offer to go with them to get groceries - you can get filled up on the free samples alone and there's a free meal!
• Look at the wine bars in your area - chances are at least one night per week they will do free tastings. For us in Arlington, VA, Grand Cru has free tastings every Monday from 5-7! Love it!
• Look for the happy hours that serve free food - in D.C., Ella's Pizza provides free small pizzas at the bar from 5-7. Grab a beer and fill yourself on pizza! But get there right at 5, they go quick!
• Another great place is The Mighty Pint in Dupont Circle (formerly Madhatter). Every Thursday night is "Flip Night" where you flip a coin with the bartender. If you call it right, you get a free beer. If you call it wrong, you pay. 50/50 shot for a free beverage! Plus they have great happy hour specials all day.

So it takes a little more work, but there are still places to go to get you out of the house and stay social. You just have to be a little more creative.

See you around the free samples :)

Rachael

Take a Day

Lay-off Tip #6: Make sure to take one full day to enjoy having no commitments

Once you get past the hurt and the anger of a lay-off, you start to move into freak-out mode. This is perfectly normal - where will I work next? How will I get health insurance? Can I really live off unemployment? How many jobs should I apply for each day to stay productive? Are people judging that I don't have a new job yet?

That is definitely important and you want to make sure to set yourself up for success (and a decent income!). However, it is equally important to take time (at least one full day) for yourself. To not worry about what will happen on the job front. To not e-mail people at your former job. In short, to just be.

Tomorrow is that day for me. Along with three other laid-off friends, I'm hosting a special lay-off day. Starting at 10:30 a.m., we will be drinking mimosas, eating cheesy potatoes, watching movies and just enjoying life. A personal pause if you will.

We really don't do this enough. So regardless of your situation, make sure that you take time for yourself. Give yourself a day to have a personal pause and cut yourself some slack. It's really difficult to always be "on."

And what I've found is that a little champagne and pinot noir go nicely with a personal day :)
Cheers! Rachael

Be Someone's Advocate

Lay-off Tip #5: Be an advocate for someone in your life

When I first became a manager, one of the most important things to me was the well-being of my staff. I wanted them to know that no matter what happened, they had someone who had their back. Someone who would be their biggest fan when they were down and someone who would push them to go further. And so I quickly realized that the most important thing to me as a leader, was to be an advocate.

After being laid off, having an advocate is more important than ever. Someone who supports you and sings your praises long after you are gone. Someone who will go to bat for you not because of what you can do for them now, but because of what you've done for them in the past.

I am lucky to have that advocate in my life. Shoot, I am fortunate to have a lot of advocates in my life. I know that when I cannot speak for myself, someone will speak for me. When I cannot be somewhere to lead in person, someone will interpret my past teachings. And when it starts to feel like I've been replaced, someone will say, "you can replace the position, but never the person."

Think about the people who mean the most to you. Take time this week to show how much you care about them...especially when they're not around. Be someones advocate. Let someone know that they are not alone. If you live like this every day, when you need an advocate the most, they will be there.

Rachael

Oprah

Lay-off Tip #4: When one door closes, get out and open that next door.

I've been inspired by Oprah lately. I know, I know, some people love her, some people hate her. But regardless, I really respect her. I look at where she is in her career. After 25 years on the air with the Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah is ending that show later this year. Arguably, many could say that Oprah is on top of the world, what more could she do. She could very well see this as an ending.

But if you ask Oprah, she says she's just getting started. She now has her OWN network. It really is true that when one door closes, another one opens. But I don't think that the door opens for you...I merely think it presents itself. You then have to decide to open it. You have to go and get it. That's like everything in life, right?

Great friends don't just fall at your feet - you put in the effort and build the trust.
True loves don't just happen - you have to share your feelings and be vulnerable.
Amazing jobs don't just show up on your doorstep - it's the time, energy and relationship-building that gets you to the point of that next great job.

Think about what you really love. Work on that every day and your life will be full. Just ask Oprah.
Rachael

Acknowledge the Scar

Lay-off Tip #3: It's Like a Relationship - Give it Some Time

I have said this for awhile now but I equate my previous job to a relationship. In a sense, my first love (boy it's time to get a life huh!). We went through the honeymoon phase and then settled into a nice relationship. There were times where I didn't feel like the job understood me; times where the job didn't appreciate me; but at the end of the day, it was always there for me and gave me comfort.

I was at my job for over 8 years - that's longer than all of my relationships combined (sad I know!). So now I'm left dealing with a break-up. A break-up that my head was totally ready for, but my heart is still playing a bit of catch-up. The more time that goes by, however, the more I realize that I don't think I will ever fully "get over it." That's not meant to sound depressing. The job, incluing the lay-off is now a part of who I am. It's shaped me.

You can think about it like a scar. You know the ones you have on your body - they all have a story and every time you look at it, you can go right back to that moment when you got it. Well, I got cut deep a few weeks ago. The wound is healing but once it heals, a scar will be there. I'll have that scar forever...and I'm a better person because I have it. That scar (my job) shaped me and definitely left it's mark. So it's time to acknowledge the feeling, find my support and heal on my own timeframe.

I'm sure one day I'll brag about the scar...I'm not quite there yet :)
Rachael

Pacing

Lay-off Tip #2: Slow down the pace
It might be just D.C. but boy, people are always in a hurry. I remember being one of those people. There just weren't enough hours in the day. Now, I feel like there are quite a few hours in the day and every morning I wake up thinking about how I'm going to fill them. It's a mind shift for sure.

Whether you have a job or not, take one day and just slow things down. Allow people to pass you on the road; let others merge first; open a door for someone; pay someone's toll (this one is hard for the unemployed but still!); just stop and look around you...you're guaranteed to notice something that wasn't there before.

-Rachael

Setting a Goal each day

Lay-off rule #1: Set goals each day (they can and should be small but focus on meeting them)

We always talk about setting goals at work and how you should really apply that to your personal lives. Well, now that I'm unemployed I realize just how important and necessary that skill really is. I used to set some major goals at work each day - return all voicemails; answer all emails from the night prior; complete two sections of the business plan; etc.
Well, when you're not going to work each day, your goals change pretty significantly. For example, I had a few main goals that I set for myself today: go to the doctor; get measurements for a bridesmaid dress; go to a buffet lunch; go to CVS; call in the unemployment number. I met all those goals and I felt damn accomplished. And to top it off, I also created a blog!! That wasn't on my list, but I had time to squeeze it in ;)
My point is that when you have some more time on your hands, you're able to do a lot more than you think. You just have to set those small goals each day so that you feel like you're accomplishing something. And we'll talk about the bridesmaid dress measurements in another post. Good thing I don't have low self-esteem!

My Purpose with this Blog

After joining the ranks of the unemployed yet still inspired, I decided it would be a great time to reach out to the world and let people know what it's like when life throws you a curve ball. I want this to be a place for people to come and hear some fun stories, share their ideas/hopes/dreams and just be inspired. I consider every day a gift - I have amazing friends, a supportive family and a lot of enthusiasm for life. Every day brings something new!

This blog will fulfill three main purposes:

• Provide a forum for discussions on interesting topics and questions that we all think about but don't always talk about
• Provide resources and ideas for individuals who are laid off but still looking to be social - just because your situation changes doesn't mean you have to hide away. There is a lot out there!
• Set up a place where people can be inspired. Amazing stories, possible opportunities and just overall inspiration.

Talk to you soon!
Rachael