It’s Sunday morning, much earlier than I would have ever imagined myself sitting outside on a Sunday morning, writing and sipping my homemade version of Temple cafe latte. And yet, here I am. Middle of October, crisp autumn air making my pinky fingers cold as I type. I have somehow become a morning person.

Two weeks ago, I served my last day as an employee and left to forge my own path in the business of architecture. As most of my decisions go, this one was not made lightly and I’ve been getting ready for this moment for years. I announced the news on Facebook and LinkedIn but kept it out of my art website until now, thinking that it doesn’t have anything to do with my art. But it does.

Not too long ago, I wrote a blog post here, titled “Are you an Artist?” This one is about claiming your identity as an artist and how other people often know who you are before you announce who you are. Like a lot of my writing, that post is also me speaking to myself and coming to terms with my own identity. At the time I was writing it, I was considering my identity as an Architect, “with the right to practice architecture and use the title Architect,” as the licensing board puts it. And my identity as the owner of a young and promising design firm.

Just like “coming out” as an artist, this required me to straighten up my posture, put the cards on the table and embrace what seemed scary to me but already obvious to others: I was ready.

Two weeks later, I feel great. I am enjoying the freedom and the opportunity to create something that is bigger than me. I feel a lot less stressed. Of course, as many business owners tell me, there will soon come times when the stress will be greater and the freedom will be limited - but for now, I am having a blast!

It also feels true, in a way that well-aligned life decisions do. This is where and when I should be. And it makes me feel lucky and want to share my good fortune with others.

Speaking of fortunes…I had a meeting with my former boss last week, part of my continuing role in their projects. After the meeting, we had lunch at a Chinese place nearby. We’ve always had a good relationship but this time, it felt like a different kind of a good relationship. It felt like we were on even footing. We dug our way through the huge piles of chow mein and fried rice and talked about recent developments at his firm and about our respective kids. Things we have in common. It was an easy, pleasant chat, and I even told him that he was a good boss (which is true).

As he placed his hand on the tray with the check at the end of the meal, I pulled out my wallet and asked if I could get it. He looked at me curiously.

“You’ve bought me a lot of lunches,” I said, “It’s my turn.”

And I paid for our lunch. It’s amazing how something this simple makes you feel all kinds of meaningful things. Like planting my flag in this common ground. Like claiming my place as equal in the business community. Like paying back, in gratitude for his wisdom and all the help in getting me to this point.

As the server walked away with my Amex card, we broke our fortune cookies and looked at the narrow strips of paper inside. His said something about exercise routine. Mine delivered a punchline to the day:

“Your hard work is about to pay off. Congratulations!”

P.S. Here is the link to visit sparkSTUDIO, my very own design firm.