Michelle Major’s Story

By Michelle Majors | January 4, 2012 at 11:20 pm | One comment | Story Submissions

I was searching for something… I had been an employee for the City of Seattle for 10 years and while I appreciated the financial comfort having a “secure job” could provide, I was aching for something else. Not really sure what it was. I had a college degree, no attachments, or reason to stay so I ventured out and found myself in Atlanta in 1996. In Atlanta, I joined one of those insanely huge mega churches and attended faithfully as I begin to feel that I was finding what I was looking for. But…

I was searching for something… I moved to Chicago. I had been transferred with my company and for all intents and purposes, this was a new life and I was excited about being in a place where nobody knew me.

I always liked the feeling of creating a FRESH START, and being able to re-invent myself; and a big metropolitan city like CHI-Town?  Oh, it was going to be GOOD! Life was GREAT! And it was!  I made great money, drove up and down Lake Shore Drive with my top down, shopped on the Magnificent Mile, lived in an awesome apartment with stunning views. It was good. It was REALLY good! But…

I was searching for something… In 2005, I launched STRUT Image Consulting. At first, it was awesome because I made my own schedule and did what I loved. I mean, I got to SHOP for a living! If I wasn’t in your closet, I was shopping for your new wardrobe, hoping that you’d pay me in cash, so I could stay behind and shop for myself. Clients came easy, and lives were greatly impacted. I made ½ the money I made in corporate America as a telecommunications consultant, but I was happier. But…

I was searching for something… I thought that if I moved to NYC, the Fashion Capital of the World, surely, I could take my business to an entirely new level and with a new relationship awaiting me there, it just made sense that I’d find what I was looking for.  No… not so much.  I came BACK to Seattle. Still….

I was searching for something… I found THE ONE, he was great, things were good at first, but his perpetual cheating led to two women getting pregnant. It was a mess, I was hurt, angry and humiliated.

And finally…

I FOUND SOMETHING – ME. You see, while I “thought” I was enjoying my life and living the dream that I was “supposed to live”. You know, the dream that I went to school for. Good job, nice things and travel freedom? The one thing that I never had was ME. I mean, I did, but the ME that I know NOW? Fa-getta-bout-it!!!

I am truly grateful for every mis-step, mistake, breakdown, or hurt that I have ever experienced because all together it has made me, ME. But, it wasn’t necessary for me to experience those things to get here. I tell people, “Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning – it’s up to YOU to decide how long YOUR night lasts”. You really can choose whether or not you are going to experience miracles or messes in your life. It’s about your focus, your commitment, your actions and words that will align to either direction.

Yes, I have found what I’ve been searching for… all along.  Its ME and I was worth the search!