Leaving the dream job - a total big girl move

I praise God for the amazing path He's given me to follow. I have experienced a glamorous profession with celebrities, nationwide travel, VIP parties and exquisite events galore. I've met high profile figures that some people would be so honored to meet. I've worked directly with celebrities that would make people act a fool in their presence. I've seen it. I've done it. Praise God, I'm alive to tell about it.

Below is one of the most difficult emails I have ever sent to anyone.

From: "Rowena Sapunto"
To: "Mark Cuban"
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:55:01 -0500
Subject: RS Resignation

Mark,

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this incredible opportunity to
be a part of your team for more than three years now.

You've inspired me, pushed me, taught me and now I have to make my next
move.

A lot is happening within my family and in life, and I feel now is the
time to devote myself entirely to others. This was a hard decision to make
because you know how much I love working here.

Thanks for taking a chance on me. I hope we keep in touch.

All my best,

Rowena
******

To say I took a leap of faith is an understatement. I know there are many people (including my mother) who think I lost my mind when I decided to resign from my coveted dream job at Mark Cuban Co's. Everyone thinks I'm insane to have voluntarily left because their perception is the polar opposite of my reality.

I was blessed to be mentored by a dynamically ingenious self-made billionaire entrepreneur in a job capacity that NEVER seemed like work. I constantly reminded MC just how much fun I was having. But over two years into my three-year tenure, I became unhappy. I was so disturbed about my career path and professional development (or lack thereof) because I wasn't fulfilled. Sure, I was experiencing the text book definition of fulfillment -- I was satisfied at achieving my desires. But lo and behold, I was NEVER truly fulfilled. As MC's devoted employee, I was never wholly completed to perfection.

Let me set the record straight...I was NEVER Cuban's assistant, nor was I ever his assistant's assistant. I was personally hired by Mark in 2006 because he knew I knew marketing communications, and I believe he took a chance on my ambition and respect for his business acumen. He loved that I loved what he stood for, he saw that I respected his efforts and I was always on board with his fanaticism for business, technology and sports. He knew I was a bad-ass and any company would be a fool not to hire someone as hungry for unparalleled success as me.

On July 29, 2009 (one month after my 3-year anniversary at Cuban's company) I knew I needed to give it all up in order to be truly fulfilled. I was at that amazing job for no one but me. I cherished the prestige. I reveled in the fame and glam that came along with my job description. I was willing to sacrifice family time to answer every email so I can ensure I was always available. I was in it for no one but me. I wanted the fame. I wanted the glory. I wanted to be so far from what is ultimately God's purpose for me.

So...after a lot of praying and with a lot of unquestionable support from my loving husband, I took a leap of faith and said "Peace out, MC. Thanks for everything, but now I've gotta go and be a big girl in a big world -- one much bigger than me."

Woohooo...I get to work out!

It's a gorgeous Monday afternoon. This time of the season is usually when I decide to get my lazy butt in gear. I have a goal weight by May, and I'm going to do the uncomfortable to get there. My husband and I are going to Las Vegas and Montreal. I have NO excuse not to look my best for these two destinations. People often complain that they have to go and workout. I've learned to twist that crappy attitude I have always had. Why not make it positive?

I was listening to a successful female entrepreneur discuss her battle with breast cancer. Praise God she has lived to tell about it. She said something that totally changed my attitude about fitness and exercise. Before she was diagnosed, like me, she had always said “Ah man, I have to go the gym today.” Time had passed and she had been diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of breast cancer. After chemo treatments, hair loss and the emotional tug of leaving her family behind if she lost her battle, miraculously she was healed. Her faith in God and purpose in life pushed her to fight off the cancer. Now after years of recovery, each time she goes to the gym, she says to herself, ”Oh yes, I get to go to the gym today!”

You see, just turn it around and see what a blessing sacrificing a mere hour and some physical strain for your health can be. If you are physically capable to work out, then why the heck not?! If you don’t have time, then make the time! If you don’t have a gym membership, then enjoy this beautiful weather and run around your neighborhood! If you’re too tired to walk out the door, then that’s even more reason to get off your butt and expend the energy so you can feel revived, refreshed and of course feel like you’re doing your body good.

This is my second and last entry for the day. I’m getting off my butt to go and run. Have a lovely Monday!

A Walk to Remember

I'm a typical sap. I LOVE romantic comedies and heart-wrenching romance and drama. I'm watching what I once thought was a teeny-bopper flick. I thought Mandy Moore was exceptional in "A Walk to Remember." I cry every single time I watch it.

Her death is not what makes me emotional. What touches me most is that in her short-lived life she had purpose and she knew to live it according to God's bigger plan for her. Now that's a HUGE realization.

We're all here on earth to explore what makes us all so great. Do you remember those posters hanging in your elementary school classroms? My favorite poster said "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." I took that to heart even at a young age.

Now at 28, I'm realizing that my passions, my abilities, my mistakes and my triumphs all happened for a reason. Stay tuned to this blog...I'm slowly but surely going to share my heart to you and pour out my confessions and growing pains. It will be sweetly conveyed while brutally honest as I can possibly be. I'm doing this not so you can judge me. I'm doing this because God gave me the passion to write what's in my heart. It took a few people to make me realize I should take that passion and share it with anyone who cares to know. (I praise God for Junior, Smita and Judy for inspiring me to start this blog.)

I once heard a good writer writes what he/she knows. I know that I've gotten myself where I am today. I know that I have chosen to become a woman of faith after the mistakes and pain I've caused to those around me. I know that I'm here to do something HUGE, and I'll spend my life trying to figure that out while at the same time helping as many people around me to find what they're good at so they can give it back too.

How I spend my dash

First and foremost, thanks for stopping by! My purpose here is to share my heart to you through words of inspiration while capturing MY honesty in its sweetest form.

I became consciously aware of a new purpose in my life back in January 2009. I listened to a colleague share a moving piece of poetry that rocked my soul to its core. It's simple in its phrasing yet monumental in its meaning. After hearing the poem all the way through, I knew I was meant to do something great.

There are a select few individuals in my life who have been a potent supplement to my daily dosage of "good." Their actions are my barometer in determining just how much push I need to talk the talk and walk the walk. Their actions push me to truly want to become the amazing woman God expects me to be.

Too often we all lose sight of our purpose. I pray that I always find my way back and realize these God-given talents aren't mine to hoard and keep to myself. I do what I do for something far greater and much bigger than me. I know that I'm here to put on a show...I want to always lead by example. Britney is a genius! I totally agree that there are two types of people in the world -- the ones that entertain and the ones that observe.

I'm here to prove that I'm great. God made each one of us great in our own ways. I'm living life in a constant state of excitement, curiosity and passion. I don't ever want to settle, and I NEVER want to be complacent. This life is mine to live and these talents are mine to share.

For those of you who are happy with life but you know you could be happier, I challenge you to reflect on your own journey. Reflect on past mistakes and pray for those mistakes you have yet to make. Look at your life and the person you've become. Are you happy? Are you giving it your all? Are you pushing yourself to become the greatness you're meant to be? Do me a favor, please. Read the excerpt below from that magical poem I mentioned earlier. Tell me what you think.

An excerpt from The Dash Poem - by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.