Well crud! Lost my job yesterday.

[Brandon Beale]

So. Trying to get started. But it seems like life is just tossing one obstacle after another in my way. Yesterday evening I was informed that I no longer have a job. I think the actual reason behind it has to do with cutting cost in the midst of a huge slump. So I understand. I don't want to be bitter about this, and there's really no point in it anyway. Perhaps life is clearing a path for something better? 

[Troy Sheets]

Sounds like an opportunity. You'll be collecting unemployment, correct? That should help cover your bills so you'll have more time to devote to REI. Maybe you use this opportunity to find a new career path that is more lucrative or has less chance of being laid off? Perhaps something REI related?

I've found that when life throws you obstacles it's often times (not always, but often enough that I've noticed it) because you set them up for yourself at an earlier date and they've just come back around on the big wheel of life at you. You need to set yourself up for success and not set up more obstacles. Keep your head up; you're in the greatest country on earth with more opportunity than anywhere else in the world. Immigrants come here and through nothing more than perseverance and hard work become successful. What's your excuse? I'm not saying this to be mean but to get you to think about your choices and actions going forward and, hopefully, to motivate you a bit. 

If you're brave enough to put yourself out here on a thread like this, keep it updated and ask for help. You've got some of the sharpest people in the world right here on this forum. Use them! Have you networked with anyone locally?