Mood:
brightTopic: Letting go of stress
I've done it. I've freed myself from a burden that has trapped me since last October.
The local newspaper I started, along with two partners, is no longer mine to fret over. I resigned from the Two Chicks and a Mouse LLC on Jan. 7, and I will no longer function as editor and production manager for the alternative monthly.
It's not that the paper is a failure... far from it! People raved about it. It was a fun thing to do. But... I don't like seeing my money flushed down the toilet, and no financial support to keep things going.
Neither of my partners brought any capital into our partnership, which means perhaps the LLC was not even legitimate. Anyway, they didn't appear to care whether we had ads to support the paper or not.
With my full-time job at HCN, I couldn't deal with selling ads AND being editor AND office manager AND doing all the other things I do each month. And December was an especially crucial month in which I had way too much on my plate.
I asked God to release me from the Paonia Star Gazette. I got an immediate answer: resign NOW! Then I had a vision of who could take my place. When I mentioned this to one of my partners, she agreed it was a good choice. She asked the man, and... he accepted.
However, the other partner was insulted that he was not included in our "decision." Turns out HE wanted to be the new editor. This, I knew, was not a workable solution. In one respect he is right: we should have at least consulted him on the matter. So why should I care? I was resigning anyway. Well, they wanted to continue using my money.
Now things are damaged. The partnership is in trouble because feelings have been hurt, threats have been made, and accusations flung about. At this point, I don't know if the paper will survive... and I'm getting my investment OUT of it, at least what's left of it...
But that's the way things go. The lesson I learned was that it's better to do things myself. I thought a partnership was a good idea. I've learned in the past year that this does not work for me. How many times must I bang myself over the head to learn a lesson?
So, it's over. I'm not getting into any more ventures like this one. I'm not publishing any more local newspapers. Newspapers are in their death throes, anyway. Readership has decreased as the Internet has scarfed up all the business. Blogs are the thing these days!
And it's all OK!!! I'm happy with my decision. I'm looking forward to easing off my work load in 2006, and having a lot less stress.
It is up to God now whether the new paper floats or sinks. I hope it makes it, for the sake of those who had their hearts set on it.
No hard feelings. Just sending blessings to those who assisted me through this major life's lesson!
