I have a hunger to achieve more. The desperation of the last month has pushed me to the brink of mental breakdown but also made me start writing these posts. I want to be more than just a sales manager or a director. I see these posts, the books as a possibility to achieve more. Yet I clip my own wings. I wonder if it is worth sharing. I am afraid of being honest. I don’t want to get my hopes up and realize I am mediocre

Staying true to limiting device use. Check email and texts but usually just write posts now. Still marveling that I don’t know how to be content. I am so used to being in crisis mode. Especially since the beginning of the year. How do I relax and savor the moment?

Just like I am not as in tunes with my body I am not as untuned to my environment or stressors. I Alfred so much better now that I am not trying to start a job and move. By pushing the move out two more weeks I can just focus on the job aspect. I am so relieved. I feel relaxed and confident. It is weird. I am not used to feeling positive emotions. I have gotten so anxious stressed and worked up I get anxious for not being anxious. I need to relax and enjoy the day.

I have a call at 4pm with the owner of the hospice company I poke with last month in Manhattan beach

I was having stress because I was trying to start the job and move at the same time. When I gave 30 day notice the land lady said we had to pay until the end of the month. Which was causing me more stress. But now it is a blessing. Since I have two extra weeks I can focus on getting to Phoenix this weekend, getting started at the job and then worry about moving a little later.

I need to let the process play out. Focus for six weeks. Shed this energy, this place. Trust my daughter knows I love her and that I need to go away and get right in Phoenix for a couple months. Get my sanity and my work ethic back. be if value to something larger. It feels cruel and stupid that a part of me believes I was so intent on being a good father and finding a place for her to live I ended up being an unreliable father who couldn’t keep a job and now has to exile for a while to pull my shit together. Phoenix isn’t like Modesto. Modesto was formidable to get to. The drive to and from Phoenix is a straight shot. Modesto I had to drive through Los Angeles county then up the 99 through the Central Valley. It was a long dangerous and exhausting drive. Flying requires doubling back to Sacramento to catch a flight. Phoenix by car and plane is so much easier. I hope it isn’t long term. That I can establish a foundation for her to choose to live there. I need to go. Do what I need to do and trust it will all work out.

Been going through the posts and doing a little editing. I don’t know if it is a great piece of work but I enjoy is. Actually read it. The timeline from getting laid off moves the narrative along. I haven’t gotten to the part where I am honest about my mental state. Reading everything and working on the book has put me in a relaxed mind space. Nice not to feel anxious or stressed.

8:12am watching movie with dog and daughter

I wanted to be super dad. Provide for my family. But a big house. Be stable, financially secure.

The truth is I have struggled as a dad. As a husband. Being a part of any group is awkward for me. Even a family. That is weird to say.

Going to Phoenix alone. Being in the apartment alone. nothing to focus on but the job. Wake up. Exercise. Go to work. Come home. Eat. Go to bed. Repeat. I need to be simple. Not worry or try to be anything else. If I can establish a strong base at work I can establish a strong base as a father.

There are a lot of parallel processes. One the job as a chaplain went bad just as my daughter was born. I never knew what it was like to be stable. I never had the energy to focus on a job. Going to utah to be the chaplain I went alone. It was just me and my dog from may until September when my wife came out.

Remember when that seemed hard? Thinking something was hard before being a parent makes me chuckle.

I am still bummed I failed the last nine years. but now I can possibly see where I failed. Phoenix is about the job. I need to be dialed in and make it a oriority. That is best for me and everyone. We can grow from there

The focus needs to be on the job. Utah was good because I first and foremost was intent on being a great chaplain. California sucked for the most part because I was so consumed with place and being a dad I didn’t give work much energy.

I need to be patient. This moving process will take until the beginning of April. Stay I the moment. Don’t get over anxious

7:01am middle of walk with dog

Two fallacies that I am smarter and I’m life should be easier

Southern California was being the sales manager. I needed change so I tried owning my own business coaching. Finally I resigned to operations. When that fell through I snapped. It was time to leave.

I can’t get too excited or too worried. I really have to manage my emotions like a phucolh sick person needs to manage their diet or activities

6:15am it was a long dark emotionally draining night. But this morning I woke up excited to go to Arizona. Thank god