A Slow Burn. And That’s Okay.

I’m going to get a little personal here.

I applied for a new position at work. I had the experience, I had the skillset, but I didn’t get the job. Compared to the competition, I wasn’t the best fit for the organization.

It sucks.

But I think it also is a good time to re-evaluate my current situation, re-prioritize my career goals, shelve one passion and take on another right now. I’ve got a lot of them.

And That’s okay.

My wants are persistent and a bump in the road isn’t going to deter me.

My passion is a slow burn or ember.

It is not an intensely bright blaze - nor does it have to be.

Because a bright blaze burns quick. It is a fleeting moment.

Ever try to start a fire with just tissue paper, a couple of dead leaves and some twigs.

You ain’t starting shit with that setup.

But what about an ember or hot, smouldering coal.

A smoulder can last the test of time.

It can catch wind.

It can persist.

When the right factors align, the wind can breathe life into it.

It feels kind of poetic but I’d like to imagine that I can pick up the challenge or seek out the opportunities once again once the situation presents itself.

In the meantime, I can pursue other passions, other interests, other roles at work to scratch another itch of mine.

It can be important to recognize and acknowledge the benefits of slowing down or taking your time. On the one hand it can be frustrating that I didn’t get the job to advance my career path in the quickest manner possible.

It can feel like a step backward, a detour, time wasted.

It can also be a time to reflect,

to scratch another itch,

to pursue another passion while this door has closed on me.

There is no rule that says this door has to remain closed on me. It can open again later. I can bust down the door when I’ve got the right tools and come back. I can later on decide I don’t want what’s behind door #1 and decide to look behind door #2.