Don’t Burn The Day

Being Free.

I’ve become much more carefree and nonchalant in the last few weeks or so. At the top of February, I wrapped up a project I had been working on for the previous 3 months, which had bestowed upon me full creative reign in marketing direction and positioning. (Hat tip to Sterling & Ross Publishers.) Blogging also adds to and reflects my newfound freedom. I have time to actually Sit. Think. and Write. … Freely! … What?!?! Such a beautiful concept!!

Freedom is Good.

In fact, I first shook hands with this open track towards the end of 2006 (11.20.06) when I was given word I was to be let go from a company I had poured so much of myself into during my 2.5 year tenure. This news came from way the hell outta left galaxy. I and along with everyone who knew me and the company were (and still are) flabbergasted to say the least. I remember sitting with a friend that very evening at Pop Burger, and he asked a very simple question, “How do you feel?” And, without any hesitation, hiccup or pre-notion, my answer was automatic, “I feel liberated.” Just like that. Word for word. I even caught myself, “liberated…wow.” I hadn’t used that word… ever… in reference to self, until that very moment. And it was the perfect word to sum up how I felt. (I’ve had great English teachers in my day. Mr. M. Keeley is the one that stands out. He nicknamed me “Dynamo Mimi” when it came to Vocabulary Test Fridays.) But yeah, anyway. Not angry. Not worried. Not vengeful. (well, a little angry ) But, I was Free! Free of deadlines. Free of pressure. Free of stress. Free of reporting somewhere on the daily. Free of pulling in ridiculously late hours, sometimes well into the wee hours of the AM. Free of answering emails. Free of answering phone calls. Free. Just. Free.

Freedom is Healthy.

2006 was trying on my mental and physical endurance as I busted my ass and then some! So this notice came at a very opportune time. Layers of bricks had been lifted with one pull. I enjoyed my work of being paid to promote and produce concerts and events. I was paid to see and hear live music. I was paid to party. I was paid to ensure drink tickets were used wisely! I was paid to live a “NY-esque” lifestyle. I mean c’mon! Who wouldn’t have loved this in their mid-20’s?! But my human sense got the best of me. I was no robot. I was no machine. I worked like one, but I was not.

Freedom is Empowering.

2007. I started the year off uncertain with what would be laid out for me, but was open for whatever was to come. Restless, yes, but I took some time off anyway. I needed a “Moment of Clarity,” ala Jay-Z … or “Clarity,” John Mayer style for that matter if that better rocks your boat. Either way, “The Emancipation of Mimi - US Tour” began. 3 cities became 2. (AJ, I’m still waiting on the ATL re-do). L.A. & Miami became the destinations for this one month sabbatical. (BTW, banner header to this blog was cropped from a photo I took of Venice Beach @ Sunset. Personal touch, ) I just needed to be away. I came back and fell into a contract gig with an advertising agency that also kicked my ass and then some for a period of 4 months (which seemingly felt like 4 years). A lot of hard work resulted in an incredibly successful campaign, but I rarely saw daylight. Put it this way, I was not my regular self - fam and friends also took notice of my change in attitude. My life was pretty much the pits. I wanted MY life back. So again, my human sense kicked in. I opted not to extend (despite an offering of a senior-level position). This wasn’t for me. It was worth the shot, but it wasn’t for me. My solution? Sabbatical and travel some more. “The Emancipation of Mimi Tour” continued. This time, farther. I headed eastward. I crossed the Atlantic pond (Barcelona, Amsterdam and Italy) and then a few cities out in the Midwest, thereafter. When I eventually returned to NYC , I slid into another contract gig with a different agency in the advertising world. I figured I’d give it another try. This time, duration was one month. This time, solidified advertising wasn’t for me. At least, not for the now. I was more than competent, but I just wasn’t passionate. I then got knocked in the head with a lightbulb, as my contract was ending. It dinged: I’m going abroad. I’m going to live abroad. How? I’m going to give back and teach. Teach what? English. (I mentioned above, I’ve had many great teachers in my upbringing. I can only hope I can be just as impactful as my Mr. Keeley was to me.) It took a year of taking chances, trial and results and being free from time to time to have me come to my realization. Without this freedom, I wouldn’t have been able to perform this genuine gut-check. I now know and feel that my next move is right. So Right.

Freedom is Bliss.

As for my friend who posed the pivotal question of “How do you feel?” Well, ironically he runs a kick ass magazine for the culture conscious and style savvy, called FREE. Motto: Life Without Limits. Thank you Phil!

“Would you not like to be
sitting on top of the world with
your legs hanging free?” - DJM

. . don’t burn the day. .