When one door closes..

Well Hi..First off, I want to say thank you to the people that read this blog. Last night I performed at the Rodeo Opry in Cowtown and I heard from so many people about how they read my blog, and thats how they knew I was on the show. That made me so happy, because sometimes when I'm writing these things, I really have no idea whether anyone reads them or not. I heard from several people who used to listen to me on the air and truly appreciate them saying how much they missed me, and appreciated even more them saying I was truly good at my job. My response is always the same, and I think it will always be the same: "You don't miss me as much as I miss being on the air." Even though I have gone on to do something else, I will always miss being on the radio.

The Opry was a great time. I sang "Sweet Dreams" "If you've got Leavin on your mind' and "Your Cheatin' Heart"..all Patsy Cline tunes, and the crowd (and my mama of course) seemed to enjoy it. Jordan came along, and even though he hatest country music, he had a good time. I liked seeing his sweet face in the audience too.. I think that mom bought a CD of the show, so if she did, I'll try to upload some audio from it. There were a lot of great performers on the show last night, including one of my former students from my Radio class that I taught at Southwestern, who did a GREAT job, Steven Jeffrey..So good to see him, and so glad to see that he chose a profession OTHER than radio! See..that class does work! lol. Owen Pickard also hosted and did a great job..Thank you to everyone who came out, it was a really good time!

I think the hardest thing to come to terms with is that people (and myself) thought I was actually really good at my job. I thought that too, and I still think that..But how many other people who are good at their jobs and go there every single day doing a good job, still get let go from their position? A LOT. I've talked to so many people this past year that have lost their jobs, by no fault of their own. Either the company was down-sizing, the company closed, or the company just couldn't afford to pay them anymore. Its a sad time for our country right now, because if you were brought up the way I was, people like Us don't lose their jobs. People like Us always do their best, work hard, do more than their fair share, act like team players and do what needs to be done for the good of the company. Yet a lot of people like "US" are out of work. I think I was a good radio talent, but thats not the only thing I did for the company. I knew that there would always be a need for other things, like websites, social media networks, photoshopping, video editing, etc..so I taught MYSELF how to do all that so I would be that more valuable to the company I worked for..But in the end that didnt' help me keep my job.

So I guess what I'm saying to you, is if you are good at your job, but you still lost it..don't give up. This past year has been such a learning time for me..Because of all the things I taught myself to do, I've realized now that I need to teach myself more. Chesapeake is an amazing place to learn new things. If the saying goes "Once you stop learning your brain will die" then let me tell you, My brain is pretty much busting at the seams! I learn something new everyday, and it makes me happy to know that there are OTHER things in life that I can do well..

Will I always want to be on the radio? Yes. I think its like other jobs in the entertainment field..Singers, Musicians, Comedians, etc..We all love the spotlight, and we love attention, so when that is taken away from its, its very hard to just fall into a regular job..But there are so many other blessings that have come out of NOT being on the radio..I get to spend more time with my friends and family, Jordan & I have grown stronger in our relationship, I have more opportunities to meet new friends and people, etc.. You just have to be willing to find the silver lining. There's no point in dwelling on the negative..And while I've forgiven those people who have wronged me, I certainly have not forgotten, and have realized that they were never really my friends to begin with, and certainly not the kind of people I should spend my whole life around..so what a blessing to find that out and be able to move on to bigger and better people!

So if you have had a similar situation this year..whether it be through your job, or maybe a relationship..try to find the positive. Did you really want to be around those toxic people in your life? No..Did you really want to be taken advantage of, and not appreciated? No. Remember that you get what you ask for, and 6 months before I got let go at KKNG I had been praying "Lord, if this is not what I'm supposed to be doing, send me in another direction"..then when it happened I was like "Really Lord? REALLY!!"..but thats the way it works. We don't always see what the best thing for us is when we are in the moment..but he does. He's got a bigger plan and I'm sure its a much better plan..so my job now is to be patient and let it all play out to his will..Ask and ye shall recieve!!