Village Flutes

Those of you that know me know that I basically live in front of a computer — when I’m not busy with all of the other things mentioned in my last post, of course. I spent five years doing graphic design, web development, and marketing for a large international corporation. In the summer of 2005, I was laid off, but I quickly landed a job at a small start-up software company doing even more graphic design, web development, and marketing along with a few new things like pay-per-click advertising and email newsletters. Both of those were good companies to work for, and I do have a lot of great experience under my belt now, but I finally reached a place where I was beyond burn-out. I felt like I was always in the office and spent two or three hours in the car every day. I hardly ever got to see my family and had very little time to even touch my flutes.

I’ve been thinking for years about doing my own thing. I’ve looked at lots of different options — opening a small retail business, writing and illustrating books, working with missions teams and relief organizations in other countries, and making flutes full time. I really felt like I was being led to do something different with my life. Of course, making a big change like that and leaving the safety and security of a guaranteed paycheck is a bit risky, especially when I’ve got the aforementioned family to clothe and feed.

In mid-September, I heard a statement that really opened my eyes. “Two farmers were both praying for rain. One just sat and waited for the rain to come, but the other started preparing his fields in anticipation of the coming rain. Which one are you?” For years, I had been like the first farmer, waiting and waiting for some sign, but I realized I needed to become the second farmer. I needed to have faith and go in the direction I was being led. I made my decision right then and there.

Within a matter of days, things really started happening that validated my decision. I asked several friends for advice just to make sure I wasn’t losing my mind, but they were all (surprisingly) totally supportive. I was offered a contract job doing web work that would allow me to work from home and work fewer hours. At the little start-up software company that week, I got a new manager (my fifth in a year), so things there were in a state of flux. Then I was given the chance to go to the Dominican Republic with my church in early October, leaving me just enough time to work out a two-week notice at the software company and pack my stuff. That was the clincher. It was so very obvious that I was supposed to make this move, so I jumped — I quit my job and I haven’t looked back.

Fast forward to today. It’s been about six weeks since I got back from my trip. Now, I basically split my time between doing contract web work and making flutes. I get to see my family a lot more. I have more time for other things that I’ve been wanting or needing to do (like updating this blog). I’m definitely a lot happier, and I’m confident that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing with my life right now. I’ve learned a lot through this experience, and I feel like my faith has grown, all because of one simple eye-opening statement.

Which farmer are you?

After a hiatus that lasted far too long, I’m finally getting back to blogging again.  Long story short, I’ve been pretty busy dealing with family (I’ve got a 9-month-old), work (I’ve made some big changes recently), travel (I went to the Dominican Republic in October), and the occasional flutemaking (I just finished a big batch).  I will probably touch on all of those items in future posts, but for now, I just wanted to get things rolling again and let you know that despite the rumors, I have not actually vanished from the face of the earth.  Stay tuned for more.