The Wise Women Project ~ March: From Crunching Numbers to Creating in Glass

March 07, 2011

Ups, downs, left turns, right turns, u-turns! Life has taken many turns to bring me where I am today – happier than I’ve ever been and ready for what life throws at me next!

Born and raised in Cranbrook BC, I high-tailed it Calgary AB in search of opportunity and excitement as soon as I finished school, and there I spent the next 18 years.

Life for the most part was good. I had lots of friends, lots of fun. I loved my city! I had worked my way up the corporate ladder, had a good job in oil & gas accounting. I was doing pretty well for myself, was on my second brand new home, in a nice new subdivision. My friends commented on my excellent taste in home décor, I had nice clothes, an active social life. Like I said, life was good.

But I wasn’t happy. There were some things missing. One, I was lonely. I was still working through the frogs, had yet to find my prince. Two, I detested my job. Detest may seem like a strong word, but it’s pretty accurate in this case. I wasn’t an accountant type! How did I get here? I love people - talking to people, helping people – not sitting at a computer staring at spreadsheets and numbers all day. This isn’t me at all, I thought. But that just gave rise to a larger problem – what is “me”?

One evening, over wine with a friend, I decided enough was enough. I wasn’t getting any younger after all - it was time to pursue happiness. I couldn’t face thinking that I would be in the same place and the same job 5 years down the line. This meant pretty drastic changes, but I was ready.

Meanwhile, my partner was going through the same things that I was – he was unfulfilled professionally and not happy with the path he had chosen. One weekend we went to visit a friend of ours who had just made the move to the little town of Nakusp on the Arrow Lakes, and immediately, completely and irrevocably fell in love with the area. With nothing tying us to Canmore, we sold our home, quit our jobs and off we went to the Kootenays. We were pretty sure that we would find everything we wished for there – idyllic country lifestyle, I would become a successful artist, and my partner would find his calling as well.

The first year, things were great; we created a great studio for me to work in, got married, and converted an old barn on the property to an art gallery where I sold my art as well as that of 10 other local artists. I found galleries throughout the Kootenays that wished to carry my creations. I loved working on my art, and began to give glass working lessons.

By year two, the local forestry industry had shut down and the global economic downturn began. I was struggling internally – while I loved my art, it didn’t come as easy as I felt it should. If I was a true artist, and this was my passion, shouldn’t it just flow from me almost effortlessly?? My practical “accountant” side was also getting a little bit antsy; the starving artist routine wasn’t for me! And while part of me loved life in the country, I missed being able to go out and do things. I again felt the stirring of discontent and sensed another change coming – more personal growth on the horizon. I needed more mental and social stimulation, so I began to volunteer. Great decision, as I discovered that I had a passion for community service. I planned events and fundraisers and asked for donations and scheduled volunteers and generally had a blast! We toughed it out in Nakusp for another 18 months, but eventually were forced to move to find work. My husband found work in Creston, so off we went. I concentrated on looking for work that would enable me to pursue the passions that I had discovered in Nakusp.

Quickly I found my dream job – albeit with two small problems – it was in Cranbrook, and it was only temporary. I spent the next six months living with family in Cranbrook during the week and spending weekends at home with my husband. Life was good and I felt sure that I was on the right track. As my six month contract drew to a close, all the planets seemed to align, and a full time, permanent job opened up. I have never had this much fun working for a living! We moved to Cranbrook – back where I started. Is this it for me? Any more turns on the horizon? I don’t know, but ultimately – I don’t care! If this is just the latest adventure, and there is more to come – well then, stay tuned!

Three things I cherish:
1. My husband, my love – unrelentingly supportive, has always urged me to pursue my dreams. My biggest champion and source of strength, stability, and sanity when I need to look outside myself for these things…

2. My family and friends – the support, the reality checks when needed – the honesty of these relationships keeps me grounded

3. My ability to look at adversity as opportunity. When we were forced to leave Nakusp for financial reasons, I referred to the situation as “Perry and Lori’s next great adventure!”

Advice I would give my younger self:
Everything, everything, everything happens for a reason. Good or bad, all of your experiences force you down a certain path, enable you to gain certain skills and experiences; in short – make you who you are today. Be grateful for them, cherish them, look for the lesson. The lesson I am currently learning – work / life balance!

What am I most proud of:
I am not afraid to take chances in order to pursue happiness. I will never “settle”. I enjoy the lessons that each new chapter in my life gives me, and enjoy seeing myself continually grow.


Lori is the Revenue Development Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, East Kootenay Region. She is in charge of all their fundraising activities from Golden through to Creston BC. She lives in Cranbrook BC with her husband Perry, two dogs and two cats.

To visit the Canadian Cancer Society click HERE