Barbara's Story

In April 1997, I found a Centerpoint Catalog in a Fremont coffee shop and it grabbed my attention. I liked the idea of a non-profit, holistic approach to my career and to think about being able to Look Forward to Monday Again™. Although I loved the company I worked for, I had burned out in my current position. I tried taking a long vacation, suggested a job change to my boss; but I was trapped, unhappy and felt like I was at the edge of a precipice. I knew I wasn’t helping the company and it was time for a change.

I met with Centerpoint for a consultation about The Retreat program and I felt like a light appeared at the end of the tunnel. Here was an organization that understood my needs and after five intense introspective days with nine others at The Retreat, I re-met my creative spirit that was dormant all those years. I was able to see and hear and appreciate nature again and I had the courage to ask for what I needed in my life.

Fortunately my enlightened boss found a way to commit to my happiness and helped create a job that matched my skills and talents based on my renewed spirit and energy. I dusted off my camera, took art classes and found life outside my work setting. I gained confidence in myself and sought out what made me happy—a balanced life of career and creativity.

It’s been eight years now and I still share my dreams and challenges with two friends I met at The Retreat. We continue to set goals and support each other in our seasonal changes.

As you can see from the artwork on display and in my website, I’ve maintained the creativity. I will say I am back at Centerpoint networking and exploring more ways to keep a balance in my life with my next career. I learned some valuable tools at The Retreat and continue to keep referring back to them to keep me on track. It’s great to be around people who inspire.

So… if anyone has any ideas how an artist, photographer, teacher, human resources director, botanist, cruise director, naturalist, and hiker, who is familiar with computers and loves to play, can enhance their company or workplace, please let me know. I’m trying to find a job inspiring others to learn how to play in the sandbox of life.

Thanks for reading and looking at my artwork.

— Barbara Noonan
www.MorninNoonanNight.com