I'm Glad I Listened

Many times in life we get strong impressions to make one decision over another. For the most part we don't understand why. But after years of church talks and class discussions, we recognize that it is better to follow these spiritual impressions than to ignore them. I know there have been many such times for me. I would choose one option over another realizing I would never know "the why". For example, after I had signed a contract to live at The Elms my junior year, I had a very strong impression to get out of the contract. I went back the next day, forfeited $25 and terminated the agreement. I ended up living with some difficult girls that year at Liberty Square but made many other great friends. I still don't know why The Elms was not a good place. Another example, I wanted to quit teaching after my third year but felt I should wait one more year before applying for graduate school. I waited. Not sure why I needed to wait, but doing so gave me the opportunity to meet many great friends but in Utah and in Phoenix. Three of my good friends Anna, Jenna, and Laura would not have been in Arizona if I had moved a year earlier. But was that the reason? Last summer I had the opportunity to accept a job in California. The administrators bascially told me they wanted to hire me but wanted to meet me in person first. No problem. Except, I felt completley anxious about it. The nagging feelings ate at me. I kept hoping that something would stop it because I couldn't figure out why this would be a bad situation. It was a job I wanted in the place I wanted to live. After talking with my bishop and praying again, I realized this was not the path for me. I was disappointed but within four days of canceling the "meet in peron" interview I had a job offer from Bingham. Now I wasn't sure why going to Utah was a good thing for me. Obviously I have figured out that this path led me to an MBA, which I am thrilled about, and some good learning opportunites. But I have wondered, would my life still have gone in the same direction? I am not sure but God knew something I didn't. Last week I discovered "the why". For those who would like the whole article, here it is http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24204659/. Here is an excerpt:

States woo California teachers amid pink slips

SAN DIEGO - Precious Jackson has two years of teaching under her belt and two school teacher-of-the-year awards to show for it. She also has a pink slip. Now Jackson is a prime target for growing school districts across the country hoping to cherry-pick from thousands of California teachers who have been warned they could be laid off because of state budget woes.

Jackson was among a wave of teachers hired in recent years as California raised education spending to cut class sizes. Now she is at the mercy of state legislators who are negotiating more than $4 billion in education cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to combat a budget shortfall caused by the housing slump and a stagnant economy.

About 14,000 teachers have received pink slips throughout the state, according to the California Teachers Association. San Diego Unified School District, the state's second-largest, has issued the most with about 900. Notices were sent out by seniority, touching people with fresh credentials like Jackson.

I would have been one of the first teachers let go. I would be without a job and wondering where to move again. The stress would have been astronomical. Right now I am anxiety free, knowing where I am going to be next year, feeling strong job security in my future career, and am happy knowing I made the "right" decision. Following these divine impressions brings great amount of peace. Even if the choices we make bring difficulties, great amounts of confidence help us through because we know we followed our instincts. I'm glad I made the choices I did. I'm glad I listened.