From Riches to Bliss:
Giving up a six-figure income to live a life of Joy and Fulfillment
by Nina Roe ATP®

There are countless examples of rags to riches stories; of people lifting themselves out of poverty to become million dollar moguls. What is less common are tales of women who have left the high paying rat race to pursue the life of their dreams - and finding it!

My story is one that began in the mid-1980’s in Boston as an entry-level computer programmer making $14k/year. Over the 15 years that followed, I was promoted, changed companies and reached a total compensation package of over $150k/year. I also birthed two beautiful babies, moved to the country and procured some farm animals. My “happily ever after”seemed complete, yet there was a palpable emptiness that I was unable to identify, or understand.

My beloved husband and I did our best juggling the challenges of a two working-parent family. We both gave our children as much attention as we could and did our best with the limited flex-time we had. I knew they needed me around more, but we didn’t feel we could afford to make any changes. We rationalized that the kids would be fine. The sacrifice of my time spent with them was worth the quality of Life we thought we were enjoying. I was a very successful vice-president of a large financial organization and who, in her right mind, would give that up? But, was I really happy? Was our family better off with this lifestyle? As the children grew older, I found myself asking these questions with greater frequency.

Then the layoff. Every department had to downsize, so I was directed to layoff half of my staff. I was not let go, but the environment that resulted was ugly and toxic. I began to hear the angels screaming “Poison! Poison!” reminiscent of the robot screaming “Danger! Danger!” from the TV show Lost in Space. Then, Christmas 1998, our five-year-old son asked me why we were hanging four stockings, not three. I responded that there are four people in our family and asked him who he wasn’t counting. He replied, “You, because you’re never around.” I gave my notice on January 2nd, 1999.

Deep down, I knew there was more to life than my corporate career and if I quit things would work out…somehow. I had Faith and a sense of Knowingness, because in addition to giving our young family more attention, I knew there was something else more spiritually fulfilling that I should be doing. We had everything we wanted materially and we were content on the surface, but life was lacking depth, lacking joy. By leaving my high-paying career, I took a huge and courageous step toward making a change that I will never regret.

For several years I dedicated my time exclusively to our children and served on our local school committee. In 2003, following a “bonk” over the head by the Angels, I began Spirit’s “boot camp” training in Holistic Healing attending schools for Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Reflexology, Cranio-sacral Therapy, Hands on Healing and, of course, Angel Therapy with Doreen Virtue. I now know the voice I heard and my son’s cutting words were messages from my Angel guides telling me it was time for a change. I needed to get to work on my Divine purpose, pronto. Last year, I started my private practice and my husband and I opened our holistic health store, Wholy Earth, in 2005. (My husband also left his corporate job and could tell a similar Riches to Bliss story).

While our changes have presented challenges at times, I feel blissfully fulfilled on all levels – spiritual, emotional, mental and physical. I know, deep in my heart, that everything is exactly as it should be. Despite our temporarily depleted savings, I see and feel abundance of all kinds flowing heavily in our direction.

As for motherhood, I know I was a good parent when I worked in the corporate arena; however, I am closer to my children now than I ever could have been if I’d continued as an executive. Not only do I have more time with them, but more significantly, I am standing tall in my Truth and my children see it. They are healthier for it and more secure in who they are. I am very definitely living my God’s purpose and they want to be close to it.
Our bank account may be smaller, but we’re always able to pay the bills and each day we awake knowing we are truly blessed by all of life and its gifts. Life is a wonderful adventure indeed. In this confusing world, the greatest gift we can give our children is to live our lives from the heart.

Rev. Nina Roe, certified by Doreen Virtue as an Angel Therapy Practitioner®, is a Spiritual Counselor and Holistic Healer specializing in Indigo children and families. www.AngelsTeach.com and www.SpiritedChildren.com

First appeared in the Feb/Mar 07 issue of aspire… Magazine