eject.
January 8, 2008
I took my Nepali language book off the shelf yesterday just for fun and to remind myself of what I know (somewhere deep in the back of my brain). When I opened it, I found this inside:
If case you can’t tell, that’s a post-it note with a drawing of an eject button on it.
For a good, long 5 seconds I couldn’t recall what the world this was, or who drew it, or where it came from or when it was in my life. Then, aha! I remembered. I was working at Hallmark, and my friend John and I were having lunch together at a Japanese restaurant. I remember him asking me questions about what I wanted in life–with my art, with work, with my lifestyle, and with love. He was always one of those friends who held me to being completely honest and real at all times. There was no saying, “I’m happy!” if I wasn’t. Not with him.
I want freedom, adventure! I responded. I want to play and create and not feel like a rat in a cage. I want love to be peaceful and quiet and fun. I want to travel. I want to be in the mountains.
Well, then, he said. Sounds like you’re finally ready to go (meaning, quit Hallmark and leave the midwest). Now is your time.
But I felt stuck, and he knew it. Everyone needs permission sometimes, right? A push. A button to remind themselves it’s that simple–that you make your own choices, and, that you can make your own choices. And so, he drew this Eject button for me. Not an escape-button, but a LAUNCH button! It stuck to the wall in my cubicle for not-too-long before I pressed it. And, all of a sudden, I was free. I was on my way to Nepal, to the mountains, to play and to love and to live how I wanted to. Thank God for good friends who draw you an eject button just when you need it most.
14 Responses to “eject.”
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© 2012 jenny sue kostecki-shaw · coloredsock@mac.com · 575 586 1726
January 8th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Wonderful post, Jenny! Thank you for sharing it.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
what a great story, jen. it’s definitely a good reminder. i’ve had my eject button for a while now, but i’m not quite ready to push it. but, i feel that this is going to be a great year. wishing you a happy & healthy 2008. ditto what karine said – thx for sharing this. :)
January 9th, 2008 at 3:05 am
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now (8 months?) with enjoyment and admiration. This post is one of my favorites.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:49 am
What a fabulous friend he sounds like. That’s a beautiful post. I’ll think of it if I need my own button someday :)
Cheers for following your dreams and choosing the path that is sometimes scary!
January 9th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Happy New Year Jenny! Hope you have as much success and growth this year, as you’ve had since you “ejected”. You’ve set a fast pace! Thanks for all the inspiration.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I loved this story J. I think I’ll pass it along to one person in particular who is looking for an eject button.
Again: you’ve got to be one of the most inspiring people I know. :)
xoxo
January 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
What a lovely post… I second Penelope’s comment!
January 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
hey…i’m glad y’all liked that story. it was fun to stumble across that post-it-note-memory. plus, it’s a good reminder for me to stick beautiful pieces of inspiration in pages of books to find later down the road. (and john, if you read these comments, i miss my junkin’ partner!)
and Diana, thanks for your ‘hello’–i’m happy you find some joy (and hopefully some amusement) in my bloggin. xo
January 10th, 2008 at 7:52 am
This post is a little synchronicity for me this morning, and I thank you for writing it :-)
Every time I visit your blog, I am inspired and filled up by your words and wonderful art!
January 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
everyone should have a friend who will provide the eject button…..wonderful story…..i hope all those in need of the button just borrow yours.
Christine
January 11th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hmmm…….finding inspiration for an exodus from the midwest. Sounds familiar.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I found my way to your blog through a comment “Priya” left for me. What a wonderful discovery! Not only is your art bright and cheery, so is your heart. I’m so so so glad I stopped by! I thoroughly enjoyed taking a tour of your studio. How clever! And I adore your dog :)
Blessings, Laurel
January 13th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Just wanted to remind you of how amazing you are.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
that is such a touching story. and a REMINDER to me (in the humdrum of my daily existence) that i DO have a choice! thank you jenny. your posts always give me food for thought.