As I’ve said, after about 18 months of working from my home, I have recently begun working in an office again and in the field of financial services.  Yesterday I heard that only about one person in one hundred who starts a career in financial services sticks with it.  I have no reason to question the source; so, I’m going to assume that he’s right – that he thinks that the odds are not in my favor.  But, the odds are always in the house’s favor, right?  Well, what that man doesn’t know is that in many respects, I’m pretty sure I’m the house.  Here’s why:

• As an infant, I had a heart murmur.  My parents were told I would not live past age two.  I’m significantly past that now.
• I did a boatload of really stupid things in college and I’m still here.
• I am the single income, single mother of an at-risk son who is choosing to become a man that ANY mother would be thrilled to call her own.
• I survived Katrina, though I lost nearly everything.
• I triumph over a chronic illness (most of the time).
• I’ve been technically homeless and unemployed twice.  Thanks to the love, support and generosity of my family, I’ve always had a roof over my head and food on my plate.
• I’ve successfully quit smoking.
• As a middle-aged woman, I’ve lost a great deal of weight and am doing a decent job of keeping it off and removing those few creeper pounds.

Although I often grouse, complain and pout, I survive and I thrive.

But, I’m going to let you in on a little secret here….come closer and tell no one: in spite of what I’ve been trying to convince friends of for years, I’m not all that special. Shhhhhh.  One more outburst like that and I’ll clear the courtroom! (Big Perry Mason fan.  Always wanted to say that.)

What I mean is: I didn’t win some mysterious, cosmic lottery.  I don’t know the answer to life’s great mystery (other than 42, of course). I don’t have the market on gumption cornered.  Sure, I’ve got my share of piss and vinegar (inherited from my mother who had enough for four people); but, I’ve got no super powers.  All of these things that I’ve done, others can do.  I did it with grit and with the support and encouragement of friends and family. Remember yesterday?  Believe.  Believe it and want it.

I struggle and I lose faith in myself on a regular basis, but the trick is (I think) to believe more often than disbelieve. And for those days when you can’t swing your focus back around to believing, have a support system that will help you.

In this new job, in losing these creeper pounds, in relationships, in all things – if the odds are in the house’s favor, then let’s make sure we’re the House.