Every morning in our house basically starts the same way: I make my coffee, throw on my old baseball cap, and sure enough, Milo the cat comes trotting over like he’s clocking in for his shift. Before I even get my first sip, he’s already climbed up and planted himself right on top of my head like it’s his personal penthouse. No joke—hat, coffee, cat. That’s the routine.
I’ll be sitting there, trying to wake up and act like a functioning adult, with this little ball of fur making biscuits on my scalp. Meanwhile, Milo’s just getting comfortable, purring loud enough to drown out the weather report. It’s honestly hilarious—everybody else in the house is running around looking for keys, packing lunches, trying to get out the door, and here I am holding court with a kitten on my head and a coffee mug in my hand.
Without fail, someone will always say, “Alright, Dad’s getting caffeinated, Milo’s about to pass out.” And it’s true—by the time my coffee is halfway gone, Milo’s already dozing off, using my hat like a pillow. I head out to work, or errands, or whatever the day brings. And Milo? He just slides right off my hat, stretches, and goes straight back to bed like the early shift wore him out.
Every morning, it’s the same beautiful chaos. And while it might seem like just a funny little routine, I’ve come to cherish these moments. They’re simple, unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but they make up the little things that keep me grounded. There’s something peaceful about starting the day with a cup of coffee and the gentle weight of Milo on my head. It’s one of those small, absurd details of life that makes everything feel okay.
But, as with most routines, life has a way of throwing something unexpected into the mix. And that’s exactly what happened one Tuesday morning. It started out the same as always—coffee, Milo, the usual chaos of the family getting ready for the day—but then, I heard the sound of my phone buzzing from the kitchen counter. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought much of it. But something about that moment felt different, like a gut feeling that told me I needed to check it.
I slowly set my coffee mug down, careful not to wake Milo, who had already settled in for a nap. I walked over and grabbed my phone. The message was from my friend Derek, someone I hadn’t heard from in a while.
“Hey man, I’ve got a job opportunity for you. Give me a call when you get the chance.”
I stared at the message for a moment, puzzled. Derek wasn’t the kind of guy who usually sent casual texts like that. He was a go-with-the-flow kind of guy, never one to be pushy about work. I had a few minutes before the morning rush truly started, so I called him back.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked, trying to sound casual but already sensing that something big was coming my way.
“Glad you called,” Derek replied, his voice more serious than usual. “Listen, I know things have been tight for you lately with the job situation. I’ve been talking to a guy in my network, and he’s looking for someone to manage a new project. It’s a decent gig, with room to grow.”
I was intrigued. “What kind of project?”
“It’s a tech startup,” Derek continued, “and they’re just getting started. They need someone with experience in logistics and management, someone who can help set up the backend operations. The pay’s solid, and there’s a chance to make some serious money down the line. I thought of you.”
I paused, trying to process everything. A tech startup? I wasn’t sure I was qualified, but it sounded like something I could work with. My current job wasn’t exactly the dream, and things had been feeling a little stagnant lately. Maybe this was the chance I’d been waiting for.
“Sounds interesting,” I said. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch, man,” Derek assured me. “I just wanted to reach out because I think you’d be a good fit. You can make your own hours, but the team is looking for someone to jump in quickly. I know it’s a leap, but this could be a good move for you. If you want, I’ll send over the details and you can think it over.”
I thanked Derek, said I’d look over the info, and hung up. I stood there for a moment, holding my phone, unsure of what to think. A job in tech? That was about as far removed from my usual routine as it got. But the truth was, I’d been feeling restless. My work didn’t excite me anymore, and I was looking for a change. Maybe this was it.
After breakfast, I spent the next few hours digging into the details Derek had sent over. The more I read, the more I realized this could actually be a great fit. The company seemed to be in the early stages of something big, and they needed someone who could handle the logistics of getting things off the ground. It was a bit of a stretch for me, but it felt like a challenge I could take on.
I talked it over with my wife, Sarah, that evening. She wasn’t sure at first. She knew how much I’d been enjoying my current job, even if it wasn’t the most exciting work. She also knew how much I valued stability, and switching careers—especially to something that felt so out of left field—was a big decision.
“You’ve been feeling stuck for a while,” she said after a long pause. “Maybe this is a good opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. You don’t know until you try.”
I hadn’t expected her to be so supportive. I thought she’d be more cautious, but hearing her say that made me feel a little more confident about taking the leap.
The next morning, I made the call to Derek, and by the end of the day, I was officially on board with the startup. My first day was set for the following week.
The first few months were a blur. It wasn’t an easy transition. I had a lot to learn, especially when it came to tech and the fast-paced environment of a startup. There were days when I felt completely out of my depth, but I kept pushing myself. I figured if I could get through the chaos of family life every morning, I could handle this.
Things started falling into place. I grew more comfortable with the team, and my confidence in the work I was doing increased. Slowly, I started seeing the bigger picture and how my role fit into the overall success of the company. It wasn’t just a job anymore—it was a chance to build something that mattered.
But just as things were looking up, there was a twist I hadn’t expected.
One evening, after a particularly long day at the office, I came home to find an email from Derek. It was a bit late for him to be reaching out, and I was curious as to why he was sending me something after hours.
The subject line read: “Urgent: A Change in Plans.”
Inside, Derek explained that there had been some internal issues at the startup, and the project I had been working on was being shut down. They were restructuring, and unfortunately, they no longer needed my position. He apologized profusely but assured me that he’d help me find another role within his network.
It felt like a punch to the gut. I had just started to settle into this new chapter of my life, and now it was over. I couldn’t believe how quickly things had unraveled.
But then something incredible happened.
The next morning, after I processed the shock, I decided to call the company myself. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to make a direct appeal. The worst that could happen was they’d say no. But to my surprise, they didn’t. They said they had a new project in the works, one that hadn’t been announced yet, and they thought I’d be a great fit for it.
That new project turned out to be a huge opportunity. It was a massive venture that involved scaling their operations internationally. They wanted me to help lead that effort, and the salary was even better than what I had originally agreed to.
In the end, I learned something important: sometimes, when things fall apart, it’s actually the universe making room for something better. The initial setback with the startup turned into a much bigger opportunity, and the work I’d been doing all along helped position me perfectly for it.
It wasn’t the easiest path, but it was the one that ultimately brought me more success than I ever could have imagined.
And as for Milo, well, he’s still my little companion during coffee time, making sure I don’t get too serious or lose sight of the small joys in life.
Life has a funny way of working out, even when we don’t see the full picture. If you’re struggling with a setback, don’t give up. Keep moving forward. The best things are often waiting just around the corner.
If you’ve ever faced a challenge that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, share your story below. And remember, sometimes the universe just has to take a step back to set you up for something greater.
