It may seem morbid but. . .

I think that's a very good question to ask ourselves, Jennifer. Someone once said, "Nobody lying on their deathbed says, 'I wish I had spent more hours at the office.'"

Twenty years ago I quit a very secure job in a school district to find out what else was out there. It's been a wild ride, but I've discovered passions and talents I never knew I had. Good for you for going for your dream!

P.S. That was quite a commute!

I can relate to that...I once commuted from Northern Bremerton to Tacoma every day for a job that I felt was sucking the life out of me..then we moved to Tacoma to be closer to the job that sucked the life out of me. Boy..that was smart. And then..our little indie business was born. It's been wild and who knew that being your own boss meant you now have ALL the responsibilities. I really love what I do and can't imagine myself doing anything different or being trained to do anything different. There's a passion that I have that keeps me motivated and keeps me going.

Otherwise, the endless nights around holidays, the "do we have rent covered yet?" or "Did you remember to pay the _?" would have sent me running long ago. Maybe I'm crazy..but I love what I do.

Wishing you all the best, Heather at BiZi Bee Floral

All it took for me was a moment 4 years ago in my office cubicle in a MNC software company to decide upon quitting the mundane and monotonous way of life. It was financially well rewarding but then it was not the kind of life i always.

I always wanted to be on my own and be my own boss. Just took the plunge and took to freelancing. Now i have time for myself,family. Don't have to be part of office politics etc and most importantly iam saved from commuting blues. The greated benefit i have derived out of freelancing from home is that me being able to spend lots and lots of time with my family and my young son...

-Anita CM

Its never too late to be the person of your dreams!

I've never believed that others would meet my needs. Even as a small child, I assumed that if there was something I wanted, it was up to me to create it.

When I started my business, I focused on creating work that fed me and was willing to do the work, regardless of whether or not I was paid. It kept me engaged in work that I love, allowed me to contribute to causes I believe in and gave me some great referrals to paying work.

I belive in pursuing dreams, even if I do not see a way to be paid for my efforts. The experience will ultimately pay off.

Very aptly said Catherine. Loved the way you put it. To be incharge of your own destiny is the ultimate high that no experience can match...

Congratulations for hearing the call and following it! Beginnings always start with endings, and what a gift your father gave in his passing to lend you clear insight about your life. I lost my father in '04 (March 8th, so we're both in that "anniversary time"). Like you, I know the power of grief for initiating new life. Thanks for sharing your story and I hope today is filled with loving memories of your dad.

Jennifer - Great message in your post!

My grandfather worked at the same desk for 47 years with many regrets about aspects of his life when he got older - and a decade before my dad retired he was telling me how unhappy he was with the status of his career.

Silly me, I asked "Why not do something about the situation?"

My dad said, "Because it's only 10 years until I retire."

YIKES! I knew those words would never come out of my mouth. I also realized I wanted to be enjoying all I did on a daily basis. My life is not going to be defined only by my work. I always tell others that I "work to live" rather than "living to work."

It's great to hear the stories of others blending their passions and careers.