4th Time in 5.5 Years

I was extremely tempted to write something on New Year's (during my annual New Year's post).  I wanted to announce that I had the "illusion of control" at work and how I finally mastered my massive position at work.  I no longer felt pulled down by the vortex of work and politics.  I recounted this to Jack on the way home from Chicago on New Year's Day.  I kept telling him that I couldn't wait to return to work; I felt rested after a long winter's nap and a holiday season with family and friends.

Jack's reply?  "Dude, don't jinx it.  The minute you announce that you're settled and have mastered a position, well, then you get promoted."

I laughed at his superstition.  That's child's play.

I ran into the front yard and yelled "I'm settled!  I feel at home in Indy!  I love my job!  Bring on 2015!"

[Okay, I really didn't yell that from the front yard.  But I did yell it from the laundry room as I was folding white socks.]

And my CEO must have heard me.

Last week, it was about 6 p.m. and I was talking with one of my managers about an employee situation that arose.  My cell phone rang with an eerily familiar number.  I stepped out into the hall and it was the system CEO calling me personally.

Oh, crap.  Crap, crap, crap.  Here we go.

I had been dreaming of "the call" for the last year.  What would it be next?  Whenever that CEO calls me, it means a big move, a new job, and most likely a new city.  Or time zone.  Regardless, I thought I'd have a few years before he called me again. 

But this time was no different.  He floored me.  He asked me to oversee Ethics for the whole healthcare system AND lead an executive leadership program (that Leadership program I talked a lot about a couple years ago).  

It was...my dream job.  Landing in my lap.  The CEO and I talked for a while and all the while I had two thoughts alternating in my head, "I'm not worthy" and "They're PAYING me to do this?!"

Shell-shocked, I called Jack at work.  Upon telling him this newest revelation, the phone went silent for an easy 3 minutes.  Eventually, Jack cleared his throat and said, "huh?!"

We celebrated by ordering a pizza and cracking upon a bottle of Chardonnay (what else?).  Jack kept marveling at the blessings we've received - oh, and can we PLEASE not have to move again?  

There wasn't really much to discern.  I briefly thought about what it would mean to leave hospital operations and management of hundreds of people and millions of dollars.  But as I considered the offer, the weight starting falling off my shoulders.  My shoulders and outlook lightened with each hour that passed.  With each step I took, the stress I have been carrying for years now began to dissolve.  I expected to have to interview for hours and be raked over the coals by executives but the transition was sealed by an hour-long phone call with my new boss and a few emails with my system and local CEO's.

So there you have it.  As soon as I decided I was comfortable in my job, I get bumped up again.  We do NOT have to move from Indianapolis (at least not yet).  And they're paying me to do my dream job.  

Miracles do happen.  Prayers work.  God is good.