by Ann Chiappetta
Last September I was dismissed from my position in federal service. I don’t like saying I lost my job because I am not returning to work, at least not in the traditional sense. I did feel lost, though, along with being angry and hurt. The loss of routine and confidence kept me from bouncing back right away.
When 2020 unfolded, my desire to find employment in the counseling field didn’t appeal to me anymore. I realized I wanted to go in a different direction. Since I am once again collecting SSD, I am focusing on learning more about technology, marketing, and copyrighting. I’ve been taking online classes. I am determined to relabel my goals and accomplishments. It’s scary, but I now tell folks I am semi-retired, I am pursuing my writing and marketing work, and I am grateful to be able to open a new door and walk through it with a positive attitude.
The ACB community takes a role in this positivity; the people I’ve met through ACB are some of the most accomplished people I know and admire. Through ACB I’ve found mentorship and encouragement and I have learned to pay it forward. I have ACB to thank, in part, in looking forward to my path to the future.