A Few Hiccups Out of the Gate - And I Need Coffee!

Well - Here I am in my new place.  It's pretty empty, but that's bound to change in due time.  I've had a few little mishaps along the way, and still dealing with a few of them.

Upon my first visit to my new joint, I saw that one of my neighbors had a missing board in their fence that separates our two patios.  Eh, no biggie - until their little Chihuahua comes out and decides to hop through the fence hole into my patio.  No way, little Jose!  Not gonna happen!  

Look, I'm all about dogs, but not strange ones that just decide to encroach on other people's "property", especially when I have a little girl who doesn't abide by the "strange dog" principle.  We don't need a dog bite, yanno?  So, I told the office about it that day and it was fixed the very next day.  Problem. Solved.

I felt like a complete idiot this morning, too.  I went to make my first meal in here last night and discovered that the oven/stove wasn't working.  Great.  Good thing I bought a microwave yesterday, huh?

So, I call the office again this morning to tell them about this.  The very patient girl on the phone asked me to go to the breaker box to be sure that the guys who worked on my place before moving in had put the switch back to on first.  Well DUH!  They didn't and I didn't even think to look there first!  Stupid me.  So, my oven and stove are operational now.

I blame that lovely brain fart on the fact that my coffee pot took a crap on me.  No, I have NOT had any coffee in TWO DAYS!  I'm about to just start chewing on the grounds at this point.  It was working a couple of days ago before I put in some uber fine ground flavored coffee that clogged up the machine, causing it to leak all over my counter.  Ever since then, it won't turn on to brew.  I have the clock that comes on when I plug it in, but it won't let me change the time, program it and the itty-bitty "on" button just mocks me.  

I NEED COFFEE!  *ahem*

Oh, and I met many of my neighbors.  They all seem nice enough, and the part I like best is that they are all quiet (so far, anyway).  Score!  No yapping dogs around, either.  Double score!

So, that's it for now.  Time to get and keep busy - like that's ever a problem these days.  Pfft!  Later! 

Today is Key Day!

I can't believe it's here, already.  Today is the day I pick up the keys for my new place.  I've imagined this day for a while now, but it's here.  

I'm excited, nervous and still a bit sad.  The whole thing is bittersweet with the official ending to my relationship.  Well, officially not living together, but we're still great friends.  In fact, we've laughed more together in the last month or so than we have in the last three years.  Go figure.

Neither of us have mentioned the whole "dating" thing that he talked about doing after I move out.  Probably because both of us have been so busy with work, but I'm not going to rush or push anything.  I'm not even completely sure that I want to date him after all this.  We'll see as we go along.

Right now, I have too much on my plate to consider dating myself, much less anyone else.  My days start at around 6am with a little private time over a cup of coffee before diving into writing work for the morning and whatever chores or errands need to be done.  Then, I sit down at my computer from noon until 9pm to work my new job.  After all that, I stay up to do any remaining writing work that needs to be completed.  I finally pass out sometime around 11pm or midnight. 

I know...I know...I need to get more rest.  Eventually, I will.  Just not today.

Today is a morning filled with slight anxiety over the rush to get my keys and meet the cable/internet dude this morning.  Then, an afternoon and evening of work while I think about my new place.  The big move isn't happening until this weekend, but there's still so much to pack and do before that happens.  Perhaps I should switch from coffee to chamomile tea?  Nahhhh.

The new job is going great, too.  I officially graduated training the day before yesterday, and promptly thrown into creating a whole new service team program for the company.  I'm highly excited and honored to be selected to do this!  I get to create a level of service that the company has talked about doing for about a year.  This gets to be my baby as I birth it and help it mature.  

And, have I mentioned how awesome the people are that I work with there?  Well, they are amazeballs, straight-up!  I could not ask for better folks to work alongside.  

Okay, enough babbling from me.  Time to rock this day!  I hope you have a great day, too!  

More to come.

Today, I Cried

It hit me today.  Hard.  I'm at the end of a relationship that I thought would really last.  The connection was so strong, so profound, so real.  I felt so good about it all at one time.  I'm grieving the loss of that.

I realize that I lost it a long time ago, but it's just now really, really hitting me with full force.  The grief can't be shaken right now.  I need to let it run its course, just as I have other grieving moments in my life.  It will heal, but not today.  Today is a day for sorrow.  

Tomorrow is new, and I know this, too.  Tomorrow brings new opportunities, new challenges, new lessons and new viewpoints.  But, that is part of my bigger problem:  Thinking about tomorrow a little too much.  I'm missing the "now" with my frenzy of making future plans, both short-term and long-term.  Now is just as important as later.  

Actually, let me revise that.  Now is more important than later. I don't get another "now", but there are plenty of "later" times ahead, and that can always change.  Now does not.  Right now, I appreciate more.  I love more.  I cherish more.  To be perfectly honest, now is all any of us really have.

For now, I cry.  I cry for the perceived failure, but mostly for what I know I will miss the most:  Time.  I have wasted so much time throughout my life, and this is a huge, HUGE lesson for me to learn now.  Yes, now.

So much is hitting me at once, and it's really tough to juggle it all - to put all of it into the proper place where it belongs.  Baggage sucks.  But, I know I can and will do this.  I do not lay down and take anything that life brings me, especially since I know it is all my own doing.  Learning never ends for me, nor should it.  It'll just be nice to have a learning experience that doesn't cut so deeply.

 

Just Two More Weeks...

I just looked at the calendar and realized...

...JUST TWO MORE WEEKS!

Holy *bleep*!

Umm, where did the time go already?  No, I'm not even close to being all packed, but I also don't *have* to pack every little thing right away.  But, still...not even my regular necessities are all bundled together.  

Work has kept me uber busy every single day.  Start a new schedule with it on Monday, and it's pretty cool to not have to start work until noon.  Yeah, means I'm working until 9pm, but I can totally dig that.  It helps greatly that the folks I'll be hanging with on the late shift are super damn cool.

I guess this means that it's time to get my lists drawn up and a schedule created in order to work in time and effort to get things organized and packed.  I pick up my keys to my new place on the 19th.  Yeah, it's a Thursday and I'm scheduled to work that afternoon/night, so I think I'll just get the keys and start taking over some kitchen stuff that is already packed to go over...and most of my clothes on hangers.  You know the type of move that means:  Grab all things on hangers and dump them in the back seat.  Ta-da!  

The Friday after that will be a rinse and repeat, then probably moving more stuff over after 9pm.  HA!  The big move and whatnot will be on Saturday - when I also have to meet the cable dude to get me hooked up!  Sunday will be getting everything set up and ready to roll for Monday morning as I work for the first time in my new home.  Never a dull moment, eh?  

More updates, and perhaps a small panicked post or two, to follow!  Onward and upward!

June is a Big and Busy Month

It's here, folks!  The month of June is going to be monumentally big and busy for me.  I wrap up training for a new full-time and fab job, as well as packing up my stuff to move into a new place.  It looks like the writing gigs are steadily rolling in, too, with some new assignments that look to be fun to do.

So, when do I sleep?  Still fitting that into my schedule, but it'll be there.  Perhaps just a wee bit less than what I've had in the past.  That's okay.  I have plans on managing that better, too.  Just not in the next three weeks.  

The summertime rain pattern has hit Central Florida, which means some great storms.  In case you didn't know, I love them!  I've already seen some good light and sound shows out of the early boomers.  Dig it!

In preparation of moving, I've started hitting the thrift shops and some rummage sales.  I have a few things left to get for my kitchen, but I've stocked it so far for under $50.  I'll probably spend about another $30 to finish that room off for now.  Picked up a cool looking entertainment unit for $10 (has a broken drawer, but nothing some wood glue can't fix...once I find a piece of drawer bottom to attach first).  And, I bought a refurbished flat screen TV for dirt cheap on Yugster.  I'm pretty excited about that, since it's going to soon be transitioned into my desk monitor after I pick up a cheaply priced (but blinged-out) desktop computer.  Yup, this girl is going to have a 29-inch monitor!  Why?  Well, why not?

I have about three more weeks living here, and I'm both excited and still a little sad that things didn't work out for us.  I don't blame anyone but myself for the breakup.  I'm not saying that I did anything wrong, although I'm sure I did along the way.  I mostly blame myself for repeating patterns and not learning my lesson the first time.  At least I'm still young enough *cough*cough* to realize it NOW, and make better choices for myself.  I don't believe in having a "last chance in life" as someone once said to me in my youth.  Life is full of chances, but you have to be willing to take them.  I am thankful that I have enough of my father's DNA in me to have the guts to take those chances.  Yeah, he was sort of a d-bag, but I'd like to think that I'm taking the principles of that characteristic and using it for good, not bad.  It's all a choice, folks.

Is June looking to be a busy one for you, too?  Tell me in the comments!  I love to hear about the life changes and journeys that others go through, as well. 

 

 

My Journey - An Update

It's been a while since I've written here.  Things have been crazy-busy in my life!  I was hired on a new job working from home (Can I get a Woot!Woot!?), and training has been great.  I've also found an apartment.  Moving in mid-June, so the packing has begun.  

Am I a little scared?  NOPE!  I'm actually really, really excited!  It's a whole new chapter, and one that has been waiting to be written for many years.  Time to move on and up with myself.

Am I bitter?  Not even a little.  There's no room for bitterness when you're happy.  "No Vacancy" is the sign that hangs in my life when it comes to any emotion that isn't in the same zip code as "happy".

I'll post pics and maybe even some video (gasp!) once I get settled in.  Hell, even considering doing some vlogs with a new YouTube channel as I start this new path.  Not that I have much to say that's *that* interesting, but it may be fun for me.  I like fun.

I do have one complaint, though:  This blasted heat!  OMG, it's 95 here today!  That's August temps, not May.  Ugh.  I know I'm a total wimp when it comes to dealing with heat, and it makes me a bit of a crab-ass.  I know you're asking, "Then why the hell did you move to Florida if you don't like the heat?"  I have no good answer for that.  I really, really don't.  I'm just eternally grateful for air conditioning.  

I may not be able to post on here for a while again.  This new job is full time, and I'm cramming like crazy to pick everything up as quickly as possible.  I don't like being behind the curve, so I always push myself HARD to learn new things and get going with the good stuff.  I'm also still freelance writing, and that's going great.  Doing some of the social media marketing for the clients I'm assigned to has improved, since the one site agreed to my rebranding ideas that I presented.  There's more content to play with on those sites now, so engagement is better.  That always makes a job more fun, right?

As for this new company where I'm working, I cannot say enough great things about them!  The people are not only top-notch at what they do, but they are hella fun.  I've found more members of my "tribe", man, and I could NOT be happier about that!  I feel so good about working for this company and with these people.  This is definitely a total fit for me.  

I hope you all have a fantabulous and safe holiday weekend.  Don't get too schnockered, eat too much food or get too sunburned.  Well, the schnockered part may get a weekend pass, so, just have fun and make it a happy one!

Repeating Patterns

Let me start this part by saying that there are no villains here.  There are no victims and no martyrs.  This is just humanity in its blind, clumsy, programmed and conditioned state stumbling along trying to figure out what’s going on with life.  That being said, I can see now how LOA and my own lack of how it works affected everything in my adult life.  At the age of 20, I attracted my husband to me based on what I was conditioned by my family that I should marry.  Does that make him a bad person?  While that topic may still be debated in some circles, I would have to say no.  He has done and is doing the only thing he knows and has ever known.  Unless and until he chooses to know and do differently, that will never change.  That doesn’t make him bad – just bad for me.

Pretty much the same thing may be said of my second failed adult relationship.  He’s not bad.  I’m not bad.  We’re just bad with and for each other at this time.  At least we’re still friends and friendly to each other.  That’s something I get to take away from this relationship that I did not get from my marriage, so I consider myself blessed.

When I left my marriage of 17 years, I was a very different person than I was when I said “I do”.  Spiritually, I was on a completely different path, but was still trying to find my way.  I felt some pieces of the puzzle were missing, but had no clue as to where to look for them.  So, I just kept on keeping on, having faith that I would figure it out as I went along.  Personally, I was a much stronger person all those years later, but knew that I wasn’t at all close to being where I wanted to be or needed to be.  I was just happy that I at least saw the light shining on the path that I knew I needed to walk.

Very shortly after my husband and I filed for divorce, I met the man whom I’ve spent the last six years.  We’ve lived together in three different states.  It was quite the whirlwind affair and I found myself pregnant after just three months of us seeing each other.  He and I did what we thought was the “adult” thing to do and began living together as husband and wife.  We never married, mostly because I resisted against it.  I didn’t want to be married again, but I conformed to playing house again.  We never really got to date this whole time, just hung out with each other and figured it would all fall into place.  Clearly, that didn’t work out for either of us.  

One major thing that I felt in both relationships that eventually led to me pulling away from each of them was resentment.  With that one whopper of a feeling came a whole host of other goodies:  Bitterness, spite, regret, anger, animosity, indifference and loneliness. 

I continue to squelch my personal voice in my second relationship as I had in my first.  My desires, my wishes, my preferences, my choices were all kept at bay in deference to his.  At first, it was done because I was conditioned to believe that this is just what a good and proper wife does.  The second time was just to avoid conflict.  Most things weren’t worth the battle to me, and I knew that having contradictory opinions would set off a fight.  So, I wore the role of doormat by my own choice.

But there was still that inner (higher?) part of me talking in my head.  No, not talking – screaming in my head!  I knew my choices at those times were utter crap, but did them anyway.  Then, I was reintroduced to the concept of LOA.  I already had some knowledge of “The Secret”, but was introduced to some more meaty sources of information on the subject.  I began this immediate and radical shift in awareness.  Things I thought were clear before became so much brighter that I realized I had no clue before in comparison to what I knew and saw now.  

Enlightenment came pretty quickly to me over the course of about six months this past year. 

This new awakening brought with it a major fork in the road.  What’s interesting is that I recognized this place, since this wasn’t my first tour in this area of my life.  However, I saw this fork in the road entirely differently this time.  I finally saw the truth.  I saw further down each road – more than I had ever before.  

The left side was a dark, overgrown, thorny, very well-worn footpath and, oddly enough, it went around in one huge circle back to where I currently stood at the fork.

The right side is a side I always used to only see a couple of feet in – always eclipsed in a fog.  I’ve always found thick fogs to be overtly creepy, so I would usually avoid looking at that right path for very long.  This time, though, the path was crystal clear like a cloudless sunny day.  I could see that it went in a straight line for as far as the eye could see.  I couldn’t see any real details, but it was oh-so comforting and felt like a beacon calling me home.

To be continued...

My (Old) Story

I had a dream of being a famous and highly sought after dancer and choreographer – mostly on Broadway.  I had this dream since I was five years old.  I love the act of performing.  The stage has always been “home” to me.  I was free when I performed.  I could breathe deeper when I performed – in such a way that any other activity I did was a struggle, but dancing was the most natural thing I ever did.  I was always creating new routines to new (and old) songs I heard on the radio.  I was choreographing for as far back as I can remember.  I even had my first paying choreography gig my senior year in high school.  I am a creator!  Stifling my personal creativity is akin to putting a pillow over my face and holding it there until I’m dead.

Upon choosing the life of wife and mother, I convinced myself that my childhood dream was just an illusion – the stuff of myths and legends.  I was an “adult” now, so I had to start acting like one, right?  Right?

I have had that conversation in my head for over a quarter of a century.  Every time I’d watch the Tony Awards on television, and all their musical performances, I’d feel that old part of me creeping up like the Boogieman – letting me know that she’s not as far away from me than I had thought or hoped.  Every year, I’m reduced to tears as I watch that awards show, knowing that my heart still longs to be there.  It’s where it belongs and I know it.  

Does that mean that I dash off to NYC on a wing and a prayer?  No.  It’s not that I am longing for NYC as much as I am longing just to perform once again.  To engage that creative “I Am” that is the soul of Me.  I am creative and I’m realizing how ignoring that, stuffing that down and living (existing) in utter and complete denial of that is doing many things:

• Killing me, inside and out
• Taking me off (WAY off) the path of learning what I’m supposed to learn in this life
• Preventing me from giving (joy, love, happiness and all the really genuine and good stuff) to others fully
• Limiting the potential within myself to grow and expand as a human being
• Showing my kids the lesson that living a lie is okay, acceptable and even encouraged
• Costing me my bliss, my happiness for the sake of conformity

After over 25 years, a failed marriage and the failure of another long-term relationship, I have rediscovered who I really am.  I am living my life according to what my soul knows is true and real – not what society, my family, the media or any other person on this earth expects me to do or be in order to make them more comfortable.  My desires, my wants, my needs and my preferences matter to ME, and I will let them have the attention and respect they deserve, even if no one else gives two shits about them.  It doesn’t matter what “they” want right now – It’s MY turn!

Ever see a plant growing and thriving in the most unusual or inhospitable place?  I have often.  When you see it in nature or someplace “wild” and “untamed”, it’s often viewed as beautiful and an absolute miracle, right?  That lone plant becomes an instant inspiration of will and determination NOT to be told where it can grow, live and thrive.

Now, take that idea of the rebellious, strong-willed, determined and untamed plant and make it a dandelion growing in a crack of your driveway.  Right smack dab in the middle of it with no other plants even close to it.  What is your opinion of it and your attitude toward it now?

Let me guess – “DESTROY THAT LITTLE BASTARD!”

How dare that “weed” grow where you don’t want it!  You don’t care if you have to rip that bugger out – roots and all – or drop a nuclear bomb on that sucker, but it must be eradicated and DIE! 

Why?  Because you have an HOA breathing down your neck, telling you how your home – the one place in the world that you call your own – MUST look?  And, what would the neighbors think if they were to see such “neglect” of your personal property?  The horror!  The shame!  *faint*

But, wait…Why is it okay for that plant to grow in the wild but becomes the enemy on your own property?  Where did the beauty of it and the miracle of it go once it shows up in your driveway?  Are you placing your own (and that of your neighbors) objective opinion and judgment on this resilient plant?  How do you like it when that happens (or has happened) to you or someone you love?  Why is this behavior and attitude okay and acceptable in one situation or location and not another?  What changed?

My story is not unique.  It’s not even that tragic or exciting.  But, it is the story of my past.  I’ve allowed others to write my story for me all my life.  It took 43 years and two failed adult relationships to see this, understand this, accept this, forgive this, learn some very necessary lessons and choose differently.  I look forward to writing a new story of my life, but I’m done telling the first one just yet.

To be continued…

Are You Feeling Reactionary to the KC Shootings?

Image Source:  WikiCommons

The latest shootings in KC is horrific.  Let me say that first.  Human life is too precious to be brought down in a state of pure hatred of another simply due to their heritage or religion.  That goes for any heritage or religion!  My heart and prayers go to the families and loved ones that surround that situation.

But, this post is a call to keep all of our knees from the instinctual jerking action.  Breathe with me.  

This is an opportunity to show love on an exponential level.  One man's terrifying and horrible actions can be overcome by multitudes of more people showing love and compassion.  Am I saying that we show the shooter compassion?  Well, yes.  I'm not saying that what he did doesn't deserve justice, but showing hatred for him (or those who unfortunately think and believe as he does) or to him does nothing to nullify or counter the hatred he's already shown and continues to promote.  

Don't make him a martyr to his cause.  Take the nails away from him as he climbs the cross of his choosing.  Show love.

How?

Don't speak negatively of him or his beliefs.  Yes, I disagree to the Nth degree with them, but that doesn't mean that I lambast them, point by point.  I don't paint every person who may look or sound like him with the same broad brush.  Place your focus of speaking on sending love, peace and healing to the situation.  Nothing more. Nothing less.

I understand the power of conditioning and programming by the generations who preceded us.  It's too easy to fall into the same patterns of our parents or people of influence before us.  Some people are never given the genuine opportunity to learn anything different.  Some people have it so engrained in their being that there's no room for much of anything else.  I feel compassion for the shooter because he has been shown nothing but hatred for others and he chose to continue that path to this point of utter destruction for many.  I weep for him as much as I weep for the unneeded loss of life.

This is a call out for those who seek love with humanity - for those who wish nothing but love to become the primary emotion we all feel for each other.  Love should be the only motivating emotion that leads us to speak and act.  This man, clearly, wasn't shown that path, and there are others like him.  Perhaps not to the degree he is, but they are out there and need to be shown something different.  

Again, breathe with me, here.  Don't let any emotion other than love rule your reactions in this situation.  Keep your focus on love, peace, harmony, understanding and compassion.  Take this opportunity to be the example of that in the light of hatred now hitting every news station.  

Gandhi is often quoted as saying, "Be the change you wish to see in the world", however, those are not his exact words.  The closest quote found by him states, 

“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.”

I think this actual quote is far more potent than the abbreviated version, don't you?  Read it again and let it simmer, soak in and meld with your intentions.  Don't give hatred in return for hatred.  That continues the cycle instead of stopping it in its tracks.  Feel whatever you need to feel, of course, but let your actions and speech reflect a higher nature of being.  I'm right there with you. 

Birthday Musings

Source for photo: Wikimedia Commons

Today, I celebrate my 15th anniversary of turning 29 years old.  *cough* It's pretty natural to look back at times like this to see how the previous year has been and looking forward to what may come.  This birthday is no different for me in that regard.

To quickly explain, I do believe in numerology.  While I appear to only have one functioning math gene, the power of numbers have always fascinated me.  Once I discovered numerology, I was hooked and found that it was spot-on.

This past year was a Nine Year for me.  That is usually indicative of loss, devastating changes and up-ending situations.  Gee, ya think?  *wink*  I can definitely say that this past year has lived up to that in spades.  However, much like the Death and Tower cards in tarot, this is often given an undue bad rap.  Loss isn't always a bad thing.  Changes don't have to be devastating.  Situations being turned upside down aren't always the end of the world.  

Although my life situation has followed suit with a Nine Year, my inner life bucked the entire system.  Looking back, I have grown exponentially inside myself since April of 2013.  I am not the same person I was then, and this is a very, very good thing.  

Well, that's not completely true.  I am the same person, but I'm stronger version - a bolder version - a version that is more focused and certainly more authentic.  

My losses actually worked to make my path more clear.  My life changes have renewed my energy and determination.  Yes, I've made lemonade out of lemons.  A big, honkin' keg of the stuff, in fact!  

I enter a One Year starting today.  This type of year brings new beginnings, new opportunities and all kinds of good stuff.  Bring it!  Not only am I ready but willing to embrace all that comes my way.  I openly allow new avenues to open up for me and can hardly contain my excitement at seeing what comes along!  It's going to be absolutely glorious!

So, watch out, world...Here I come!    

Why Do Job Requirements Seem So Limiting? Is It Time for Change?

I’m searching online every day, throughout the day, for ways to make money.  Yes, I am considering salaried or guaranteed jobs, but I’m seeing synchronicity sending me signs (say that phrase three times real fast) that a J.O.B. is not in the cards for me.  Not to mention that my personal energy levels plummet with every job description I read.  

Let me give you an example.

This one company, which shall remained unnamed to protect whatever they want protected, asks if you’re capable of using words and ideas to engage, inform and motivate readers.  Sounds pretty straight forward, right?  Hold that thought.

They go on saying that they have minimum qualifications and all of them MUST be met to even be considered for the position.  Things like a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or a related field, 5 to7 years of related writing with emphasis in blah-blah industry and the typical customer service soft skills are listed.  

Now, what gets me is the required degree listed in order to “qualify” to write engaging, informative and motivational words for their company.  I don’t know about you, but just because one has a degree in anything doesn’t always mean that they are the best fit for the job.  They are limiting themselves in their search for the “right person”, as well as scaring off the potential perfect fit for their company by demanding a piece of paper that so few will actually have in their possession.  

I can personally attest to the fact that some of the best wordsmiths I’ve known in my life were either “uneducated” (by the standard stated above) or self-taught learners.  My father, who was a highly intelligent man, went to college for a time but didn’t garner a degree.  Yet, he could use words when telling a story or interacting with others as if he were a master painter creating the most engaging and moving art.  My great-uncle barely graduated high school due in large part to him lying about his age and enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War 2, but he told tales and fables that had me riveted and still supply me with wonderful memories of my childhood.

Would either man have been a great fit for the job description I mentioned?  Absolutely!  Both had the ability and knowledge to amaze and astound people with their ability to inspire, engage and motivate!  However, neither would be considered due to their lack of a degree.  I believe this to be utterly shortsighted of companies to continue to promote this outdated paradigm.

 I followed in my father’s footsteps by being autodidactic.  Yes, I excelled in certain subjects in high school, graduated with a decent position in my class but only attended college for less than a year before I became bored and decided to enter the workforce.  I have chosen precisely what knowledge and skill sets I acquire based on what interests me and lights the spark of curiosity within me.   I continue to do that very thing every day.  Honestly, I consider it a wasted day if I don’t learn something new!  But, due to the fact that I do not possess a piece of paper hung upon my wall in a fancy frame, I am considered to be less than qualified for opportunities such as the one stated above.  

Am I crying about life being unfair?  Perhaps a bit, but it’s really about the standards set by The Powers That Be (whoever they may be today) and questioning their actual level of authority in all of our lives.  Is it time for a massive shift in thinking?  In the paradigm?  In the we are all told is “normal”?  YES!  Yes to all!  It’s high time that certain expectations be set aside and allow a broader approach to quantifying who is an appropriate fit for any position.  If passion fuels a person, even without a formal education, they should be not only allowed but welcomed and highly encouraged to seek that which they were meant to do without an ounce of societal restrictions.  

Who else is on board with this way of thinking, believing and behaving?

Have you come across a job opportunity that required some piece of a dead tree in order to be “qualified” enough for a position when you knew that you were already more qualified than others vying for the position?  Let me hear about it in the comments below.