The good news is I finally figured something out -- I now know what I want, what I need -- what is most important to me is a "chance for greatness". I am as the Think Different motto says, "..the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do!" I am an entrepreneur with vision.
So my friend and fellow cubicle escapee Pam Slim wants to know what it's like to transition...
Well first off, I did not have three months of salary salted away, I do not have college paid for (let alone next year's middle school tuition) and after some fretful attempts to negotiate a severance -- a lead parachute -- nothin'! I did not even get to pass go! 
But I did have something most people don't have, infectious passion and an actionable dream -- my Buttons of Hope
Candidly the mix of passion for BOH and dispassion for flexible packaging sales probably led to my early retirement. I have known for a while that I "think different" than most of my peers -- and while I lament often about their corporate success, their promotions, their country clubs and beach houses -- I know in my heart I am not even in the same game, probably never was.
Over the past 25 years I have tried now and then to break free from the "cubicle" -- but not until Buttons of Hope did I feel like the opportunity was equal to the passion -- well nothing quite matches the passion but you get the point!
Buttons of Hope is me. For the first time in my life I do not consider my work, work. It's not easy being a lawyer, editor, geek, designer, blogger, button maker...not easy but I flat out love every minute of it, every minute! And yes it is all done in my garage -- I have the pictures to prove it! So what is buttons of hope -- well first it's not just about the button. What I do is make it easy and fun for people to personalize their cause by making a photo button to support or honor a loved one. Behind every photo button is a powerful story. It's these stories that inspire, motivate and engage people to take their fundraising and awareness to the next level.
So where am I in the process? A little north of scared to death and just south of jubilant! Or put another way...On August 20, 2002 I wrote, "The one thing I've wanted to do in my life is make a difference by inspiring other people." With Buttons of Hope now I do this every day!
Watch the video of me and some friends talking about Buttons of Hope.
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