Do you remember Grandpa from the original Charlie and Chocolate Factory movie? He had been lying in that bed for decades before Charlie convinced him to go outside.

I have spent long years in the comfort of corporate employment. The idea of leaving started to feel impossible. Everyday I thought, "is today the day?"

There is no question that the corporate bed is comfortable. It's home. It felt safe. To me, however, it did not feel healthy. I had help to pull me out of bed - but I'm out. For the first time in a long time, I'm standing on my own power.

I had some great experiences working in the corporate world. My customers taught me a tremendous amount about small business. My employers showed me how infrastructure can breed success and how a lack of it can make an ailing business incurable. I survived and thrived through mergers and witnessed what it was like to stand in a healthy Fortune 500 company built from scratch. I am ready to learn something new. It was time for me to stand up.

Somehow Grandpa managed to be dancing around the room within minutes of standing up. Let's ignore the possible bed sores and circulation issues that he would have incurred. It was a miracle. Grandpa was dancing like he had been doing mental aerobics classes in his sleep.

I have some work to do before I start doing the pajama dance.

I'm just glad to be out of bed.