Falling into place

The day we decided to take this journey was an exciting day and it’s such a fun story to tell people.  One of the first things we did was terminate our contract and offer on the house (even though it was pulled from short-sale our offer and contract still stood), and Jenny emailed her science department’s coordinator informing him of what she was wanting to do, our plans, and asking was this possible.  Unbelievably, we received even more assurance in this decision as he emailed her back within a few days describing how wonderful of a decision it is to do something of this nature, that he himself had done the same thing a few years back, and that no problem he would approve it.  She would have to run it by the principle for the final ok, but with his approval it shouldn’t be a problem.  The icing on the cake was when he asked if she would be coming back?  It’s in their districts policy that teachers are allowed a 1 years leave of absence (every 6 years) with approval and they’re guaranteed their job back upon their return!  Are you kidding me??? 

We couldn’t believe it.  Now only if corporate America was so kind for my decision as well – yeah right!  I knew from the moment we even started discussing the possibility that I would have to resign and risk not ever climbing the corporate ladder and reaching the status of goals formed in college and my first professional years.  I knew I would have to completely start over and earn my stripes again.  It didn’t bother me at all though, after all, I’ve always been strong willed, opinionated, and one of many surprises.  I was actually very happy to turn in my resignation.  Especially since the director of my department wasn’t my ideal type of leader.  I truly had no reservations about leaving a good position and foregoing the possibility that this may change my future and possible success in the corporate world.  I was ready to just go out and live life for a year, discover what it’s all about, learn more about myself, my wife, and our relationship, what’s most important to me, and the desires of my heart.

Ok, time to eliminate bills, find homes for our four dogs, and make preparations for a year away.  First off we needed a date of departure so Jenny took care of that by looking for some great deals price wise (which set the tone for our entire trip) – thanks to her we came in $1.81 under budget for our trip!  She found us flights to Buenos Aires departing from Orlando on 09/09/09 for just over $700 total – that included both of us!  We happened to end up flying LAN which I highly recommend.  The date was just under 2 months out.  Now we had a timeline to work with in accomplishing all our goals for the departure.  Obviously we had some major priorities to take care of first – homes for our 4 doggies and to find a solid renter for the house. 

My parents quickly agreed to take our little rat while we’d be gone; whoops, did I say little rat??  I meant our little Miniature Pincher, Hunie.  She could definitely pass for a rat though with what she gets into and also the size of her brain… No, she’s ok though, she’s just so cute and adorable when she sleeps and cuddles up with you that it makes you want to squeeze out what little brains she has and all the other times bearable.  My Mom wasn’t the happiest (even though she handled it well and played it off great) about taking on Hunie.  Let’s just say she’s probably more excited for our return to have her carpets steam cleaned than to see us.  Not really, but maybe that will create a little more perspective for you.

Dog one taken care of – now on to doggie number two, Kahlua.  This was a difficult one for Jenny as to start out 3 of the 4 dogs were hers in our relationship.  Yes I agree, she’s a bit of a fanatic about these little furry companions!  We really only had one option for Kahlua unless we were going to have some complete strangers take her for the year. That option was to leave her with someone she actually knew – a person from a past relationship of Jen’s.  He agreed to take her, but wanted to keep her for good.  This was a tough decision although it turned out for the best for everyone.  Kahlua got to be with some familiarity and a good home while at the same time we’ll have slimmed down to 3 doggies upon our return (4 is definitely a lot to handle) while I also believe you have to have some type of permit if you have more than three dogs. 

It was a difficult day the day Kahlua left – especially for Jenny.  I was having a yard sale at my house trying to raise extra travel funds and also clean house of all the things I had that I really didn’t need or which I hadn’t used in several years.  The yard sale also aided in the size of storage unit we would end up renting – definitely didn’t want to pay for storing a bunch of things I don’t even care about or need.  While roaming around the front yard positioning things and enjoying the sales side of it Jenny showed up with Kahlua so Rook (my doggie) and I could say our goodbyes.  It’s pretty strange in wondering what a dog goes through in a transition like that.  We’re just happy she knew who she was going to be living with.  Jenny called me later that day after she had dropped her off – she was crying so much she couldn’t even make words – I just sat there and listened to be there for her.  I’m pretty sure I brought her over flowers later when I had wrapped up the yard sale.

Booker, Jenny’s first doggie was going to road trip with us on our way to Florida (where Jenny grew up and parents live).  We had a few stops planned along the way to see some friends and family before the overseas trip and Charleston, where Jen’s brother lives, was the stop for Booker.  So that left me and finding a home for Rook.  Not the easiest task in the world when he’s a purebred German Shorthaired Pointer hunting dog and grew up for the last 2 ½ years on close to two acres.  He was used to getting all the running, exercise, rabbits, squirrels, and birds he could get his paws on along with having a wonderful area to roam. 

Rook definitely needed to be somewhere he could run – I’ve never in my life seen a dog that loved to run so much!  Fast too!  The only dog that I ever saw run faster than him (at all the dog parks I used to take him to) was a Greyhound.  I was proud of him for sure!  If I couldn’t find a home for him that had some space – it would have been bad for the people that took him in and for Rook as well.  Just too much energy!  He definitely needed somewhere to release it.  After a couple trial runs that fell through and with about 3 weeks until we were leaving Denver I got word of some interest from the Outdoor Life professor at the university my Mom works at.  All I could do was pray that this would work out – it sounded great.  He did a lot of hunting, fishing, camping and actually had a hobby of professionally training hunting dogs for several years in the past and now does it for fun with his own dogs. 

I called to set up a time to meet and introduce Rook to him, his family, and his 2 female Chocolate Labs.  On my way to his home for the first time I couldn’t help but ask God to let this be an awesome fit and a good place for Rook.  I prayed all sorts of things as if Rook was my little kid.  I couldn’t help it though – I love Rook like he’s my little kid although I know as soon as I really have a child (4 months away) the thoughts and love will not even compare.  As we arrived in Evergreen I quickly realized his house overlooks a large meadow and pond with all sorts of training space and room for Rook.  Around back he had built two year round kennels outside with shelter from the Colorado cold and snow as well.  One was for his older lab and the other was for his new lab pup.  He had a third up in Estes Park he was going to bring down if things worked out with Rook. 

It couldn’t have been a better match.  We let the dogs run around and get to know each other as we chatted and got to know a little about each other.  Soon thereafter we were showin’ what training we had givin’ our pups in the obedience and hunting arenas.  I was so impressed with how Rook was performing for him and was just Daddy proud.  After about 30 minutes of playin’ fetch and what not with Rook we switched over to his older lab Zoe.  To be honest – I’m not even sure how you begin to train a dog the commands she knew.  I was amazed to say the least.  I couldn’t believe that dogs could really be that well trained – it had to take forever I thought.

I brought Rook out about 2 or 3 more times and left him for a day or 2 to get him a little more comfortable and used to his new temporary home and master.  I tell you what – the first 6 months away from him was very hard.  I had no idea.  I literally had dreams about Rook several times a week.  I knew he was in awesome hands though by the little communication with Steve I had and hearing his (and his families) feelings for Rook.  I was just hoping Rook would still want to come home with me when I returned to pick him up after a year of being away. 

The funny thing was after having all these thoughts I received a Facebook message from him saying, “Quick note:  You might never get Rook back… Send a bag with $5 mil in $5 bills to an address we will send you later from Canada…  He’s doin’ good.”  It made me happy to know my boy was doin’ well!

Assurance

How our final decision to travel for 1 year actually came about is quite interesting.  I have always held a desire to travel for an extended amount of time or what I really like to say is just take off and fly by the seat of my pants somewhere and leave everything behind to see what’s out there and what the world’s all about.  I had put the seed in Jenny’s head several times, but never really tried to convince her or sell her on the idea cause as I mentioned earlier – it was still a dream and something that I didn’t think I’d truly be able to pull off.  

It was now April, 2009 and we were planning to marry in July.  We both lived in separate houses and wanted to buy a new home after we were married to help start our new life together.  We started looking and believe it or not we only looked at about 7 houses when we realized the neighborhood and house we already knew we wanted was actually the very first house we looked at!  The house was awesome!  It had a wonderful backyard for the 4 dogs that would also be living there – that’s right four – absolutely nuts I know!  There were several large, mature trees in the backyard along with several nice bushes, shrubs, plants, and flowers – most of which would have been most likely ruined with four dogs.  The main thing though was that there were numerous large trees and lots of bigger shrubbery for the dogs to be able to have some fun chasing squirrels and rabbits and also so we could have a relaxing and peaceful yard to retreat to after a long day at work.  It also had 2 areas to reach the backyard from the house – one little deck area and then a nice brick patio area with a trellis where the grill and an outside reading / eating area would be. 

The rest of the house was great as well with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces, a large kitchen and a nice finished basement with a small kitchenette.  I mean the house was fantastic for us and especially that it was only TWO of us!  I mean geez, obviously we needed that amount of space and especially FOUR bathrooms!  Ask me on that opinion now...  We let our realtor know we wanted this house and came to find out it was a short-sale (the stage before foreclosure).  Our realtor informed us these can tend to take awhile and we figured no problem since we had a few months until our wedding anyway.  We made an offer and began the waiting game. 

In this time of waiting I began saying little things to Jenny here and there like, “man, we should just take our money and travel.” I wasn’t totally serious when saying this, but I more or less wanted to see what her reaction was.  If she was to agree to it I would have dropped everything in a heart-beat.  Well after waiting nearly 3 months waiting for this perfect house we saw ourselves raising kids in we got an answer.  Our realtor called us and told us the house has been removed from a short-sale – this happened to be a Friday (June 26, 2009).  The banks found out the sellers had other assets they hadn’t disclosed.  Therefore, knowing they could still get their money owed (from the sellers) the house was taken off the short-sale status. 

Jen and I were pretty bummed to say the least.  So the next day Saturday I mentioned to her as we were driving down the road that we should seriously take our down payment money and travel the world for a year.  I told her, when else are we going to be able to do this?  When we retire and are much older and don’t have the energy or fearlessness to try numerous adventures or visit several areas and regions?  I also sold her on the fact that we don’t have kids yet and that surely when we have kids it would be a long time before we’d be able to make it happen.  Also on how awesome it would be to be able to do this together as lovers, best friends, and partners.  Every valid point that could have possibly been said was just flowing freely out of my mouth as if this was a destiny!  We had saved enough money for the last 2 ½ years that even if we used all our down payment money we would still come back to a good cushion. 

I couldn’t believe all the points I was making and how easily they were coming to my mind.  The main thing I was shocked by (and which must have kept fueling my sales pitch) was that she had no strong rebuttals or objections and the ones she did have were easily overcome.  I think she might have been experiencing a certain amount of fear or confusion in trying to accept the reality of just up and leaving our careers, house, dogs, family, friends, etc for a year.  I can understand as that is one of the toughest obstacles in making a decision like this.  It didn’t at all stop me from busting out laughing with the realization and happiness that I had sold her on the idea!  She must have known exactly what I was thinking because she just looked at me and smiled speechlessly acknowledging the fact that I had several valid points and there really was no reason not to do this.  I was pumped – success for the first time in truly trying to sell her on leaving and traveling for a year.  The door had just been slightly opened. 

The next morning we did our normal Sunday morning routine.  I left my house a little before 9:00am to pick her up, grab some coffee and a bagel, and then head to church – little did we know how impacting this service would turn out to be for us and the next year of our lives.  The entire sermon was about the sabbatical year, pushing pause on life, and filling up on God.  Our pastor was encouraging everyone, if possible, to take every seventh year off of work, use the time to reflect, focus, and deepen our Spiritual journey.  Basically, (and I love the way he put it) just 'push pause on life!'  Right in the middle of this sermon and as he was mentioning everything, the reasoning and taking off a year, Jenny and I simultaneously turned and looked at each other with huge smiles and just laughed... the door was now definitely open! 

I don’t believe we could have ever had any better direction for doing what we were considering doing.  It was absolutely incredible.  I can’t even describe the feeling and emotion we had during and after that service.  How could we possibly not go on this journey now?!  We felt we had just gotten the assurance and "ok" from the Lord Himself.  Ironically, it was our seventh year of work coming up as we had both graduated in 2003.  It was June 28, 2009 and that’s the day we decided “Yes” we will go for it.  We will take a year off, push pause on life to see what it’s all about, and most of all -  fill up on God as much as we know how or at least try and put him first in all we do. 

What a feeling it is when you finally and actually decide that you’re going to do this for sure.  Suddenly, everything around you seems so much lighter as your perception changes and is now something it’s never been.  It's almost as if you were just fitted with some new type of lens or vision.

Gift of a sale

I’ve been in sales my whole professional career and I’ve found I love influencing people on things I believe in whether it’s a story, something to do for fun, a place to go, or a product.  I’ve had quite a bit of success in professional sales and have been told I’m an inspiration to many up and coming professionals.  It all began after high-school when I was 18 years old and started painting houses.  The experience turned into a 5 year business which aided in financing my college education.  I started knocking on doors and had to present myself and my painting company to homeowners in order to win their confidence and convince them to go with me instead of the next guy or company.  I also had to show I knew what I was talking about and not just some punk kid.  I actually got good enough in these spontaneous door to door presentations that I began getting jobs left and right from people who hadn’t even really began considering having their house painted.  I would just walk through neighborhoods and look for houses that definitely needed painting or that I thought were faded, needed touch ups, or were simply (in my opinion) not the greatest colors! 

I’ll never forget the first customer and house I landed.  It was a white house with a black shingled roof.  Again, I’ll never forget this white house or my very first discovery of convincing ability – or you could call it that anyway.  Never in my life had I been so panicked, caught off guard, or thrown into an instant situation that needed explaining before I even had a split second to think.  That’s when I learned about the calm needed in unexpected situations, steady breathing with deep breaths, and the important ability to be able to look as if everything is going perfectly to plan even if (as I like to quote from the movie Dumb and Dumber with Jim Carry), “our pets’ heads are falling off!”

It was my first house to paint all on my own.  I had been working for a guy and his painting business the summer before when I quickly realized the money I was making could be 6 times what it was or more and that I could do this on my own.  So here it was a summer later, presentation all done, bid accepted, and all my new equipment on the driveway.  I was ready to go with the sprayer hooked up and ready to suck up the first 5 gallon bucket of white paint.  I decided to start on the roof with the chimney and work my way down – if any of you have painted before I’m sure you’re thinking what I now think – why in the heck did I choose to start there and with the chimney?? 

So I lay my shields down at the base of the chimney so I don’t spray the black shingles with the white paint.  My heart is pumping with excitement as I’m about to spray for the first time EVER!  I never had actually sprayed before – I always did the prepping, brushing, taping, caulking, back rolling, etc.  Don’t get me wrong – I had seen numerous houses sprayed and knew the motion to take and how to spray certain areas – I figured it couldn’t be that hard.  I mean it looked so easy!  So I do a couple practice swipes and passes on the chimney as if I were spraying already just to get the feel.  I thought to myself – no problem here – just like those few practice swipes.  I looked around one last time to make sure everything was in place (and that no one was around outside watching as I was a bit nervous) and then went for it!  I pulled the trigger and did the motion I had just practiced before and to my astonishment the gun made an unfamiliar sound when the paint came out and in stead of making a nice fanned coat on the area I was aiming for – paint shot out from both sides of the gun about 30 feet in each direction as if it was a large T shaped double barrel squirt gun.  I was shocked and completely horrified!  Before I had a chance to even think about what just happened I hear a car pull into the driveway and look over my shoulder to see the homeowners just got home.  I’m not sure if you’ve ever had any type of work situation where you absolutely panic, but this was the beginning of my first!  The roof was pitched at just enough of an angle on the front that there was absolutely no missing the total of about 60ft of white paint splattered across the black shingles. 

I had no idea of my skill set in customer assurance that was about to surface or even what that meant as this was my first experience in going with the flow portraying the fact that everything is great and surely no mistake had been made in choosing me or my company.

I had no time to think of anything to say other than the truth – which was my first and number one lesson I hold onto in the business world when dealing with customers - to always be honest and straight with people and most of the time they’ll appreciate it which makes everything much smoother when hic-ups happen as there will always be hic-ups with humans and technology.

The owners got out of the vehicle and my mouth just started moving.  I’m not entirely sure what even came out and if everything I said made sense as it was extremely hard hiding the panic that I may have just ruined their roof and might need to replace it.  I do know that I made a small sheepish laugh suggesting not to worry and pointed at the spray gun and said out loud as I realized the mistake myself, “I forgot to put the tip in.”  I then joked something about just wanting to create more work for myself and that I’d have it cleaned up shortly.  Eight hours later and knuckles practically raw to the bone from scrubbing – I finished cleaning the paint off the roof.

So I guess my whole point of telling you a little about my sales experience, how I started, and discovering that I have a passion for influencing positive outcomes and decisions is that I want to stick with sales and keep to what I’m good at.  The product now though that I’ve finally realized I want to sell and that I believe is necessary and vital for everyone is “The Dream.”  I mentioned it earlier in one of my posts, but I want to sell the dream – the one we all joke about and say to each other when asked how everything’s going… “Ah you know, just livin’ the dream!”  I have some past colleagues that would always say to me (Mr. Callaghan especially), “you sell the dream man… you always sell the dream.  People love it.”  Of course he was talking about the products and services we sold, but he had a deeper sense of how I would go about it – I didn’t even realize what I did or really what he was talking about – I just believed in what I was doing so I was confident and enthusiastic.  That’s all it took and that would do the selling for me.  Belief – it’s all you need and when you have belief in something it’s radiant and contagious!

Now his words truly hit home to me.  Since we got back from our journey overseas I’ve been struggling with what I want to do, where I’ll be working, for what company, and if I should do this or do that when all of a sudden it dawned on me one morning at the crack of dawn (HA!).  Literally, I was sitting on the couch writing and staring out at the ocean watching the sunrise from my in-laws beach condo.  The dream – I want to sell the dream!  Everything that goes along with it – the courage and means to truly push pause, take a right when everyone else is still going straight, and do as we wish while having the financial and mental freedom to do so.  I will use all the passion and ability I have for sales to sell the actual dream we all joke about.  My wife and I actually made it happen and chose to do so.  I’ve lived some of it now and will continue to plan for dream years.  I now know it can happen.  My goal and what I hope to do is truly inspire and influence as many of you as possible to actually take the step and make the choice to live the dream.   Push pause on life and see what it’s all about.  The benefits are numerous and it’s an awesome way to start fresh in life upon your return.  Who knows where it may lead.