Dang man, sorry things have been so rough this year for ya. Good news is this - you have a new year coming up that you get to shape into how you want it to be!

Sorry about the tuff year.  I pray that you have a Blessed and "Sooper" New Year and things turn completely around for you.  I had a tough year like that a few years ago.  I lost $4 Million in about 90 days.  Put me in a funk for about a year.  But then things changed for the better again.  Hang in there it will turn around.  There is an old saying "This Too Shall Pass" it hurts while it is passing but it will pass. 

Sooper_Rebel wrote:

Mine has to be this one,

- I got a new boss that made work miserable
- New boss fired me with no severance
- 4 months with no pay
- Major marriage problems
- Turned 40

Sometimes things get really bad before they get good.  Keep your head up and roll with the punches.  Think of the good things you have in life compared to what other less fortunate, or even other friends are enduring.  

The other day someone was complaining to me about life in general.  Then I pointed out some instance that a few of my friends are currently enduring.

My best friend through childhood, school, college, and life has brain cancer and is going through treatment.  This started in September/October.  His treatment lasts four days and he goes every week, so there goes his week.  Fortunately he is getting better and will hopefully be in remission within the next quarter.

I have another close long time friend diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.  This happened in September.  She will probably not live for 5 more years, but she has a very positive attitude. 

Adding even more cancer related events, I have another friend who has cancer all over his body, is getting better, but cannot take care of himself and is too proud to ask for help.  This has been going on for the past year.  

Also just before Thanksgiving I lost a long time friend who was my business mentor.  He was an expert in business operations, finance, investments, and could make a heck of a martini.  He got sick on Friday and died on Saturday.  I never got to see him and did not know what happened until he was dead.

Now, the next two events just happened within the past ten days.  A very close friend just lost her life due to a blood embolism (no signs, no warning, just instant death).  She was near and dear to me and my family.  Then yesterday I got a notice that another close family just lost their only son in a freak car accident this past weekend.  Once again, this was a person who was very close to us and our family.  So if you are healthy and have a comfortable life style, be thankful for what you got.

One thing for sure is that everyone has problems, but you have to accept the consequences and overcome the tribulations.  Now there are times when there are few to no problems, but you can be assured that some issue or crisis will spikes its ugly head when you least expect it.

Now consider your issues:
- I got a new boss that made work miserable
Nobody wants a horrible boss.  It is not worth spending your day working for an asshole.  Besides sleeping, you spend the next amount of time at work.  Why be in a bad environment over 1/3 of your day?  Getting out of this situation is good for your health.  You do not need the stress.

- New boss fired me with no severance
Employees who are fired do not get a severance packages.  Consider how the firing took place.  Perhaps you have a legal case against the boss and the company.  Did you have any warnings, were you written up, or were you just fired on the spot?  What was the reason?  These are some legal questions that should be answered about your firing.  Some local law groups and bar associations provide a free consultation to determine if there is a case.  If a good unemployment lawyer thinks you have a case, then you should let the lawyer give you good legal guidance.  You need to evaluate your firing closely because there are statutes of limitations and if they expire, then you do not have a case.  Hopefully you did get unemployment.  Its not much, buts its better than nothing.  Getting out of this job could be a good thing.  One door shuts so another can open.

- 4 months with no pay
Unless you received many warnings and really screwed up on your job, you should be eligible for unemployment.  Even if it is denied, you should keep on appealing.  Eventually (I think three for four times in MS), the company usually gives up and you get unemployment.  It will cost the company more to fight your claim than they payout in premiums.

- Major marriage problems
Determine what are the specific problems, then try to determine how to resolve them.  Seek marriage counseling. If neither your or your wife want to make the marriage better, then get a divorce.  Being in a bad relationship is unhealthy, just like working for the bad boss.  Get out of it if it will not work.

- Turned 40
40 is not a bad age.   You have lots of good years ahead of you, but they are what you make them.  If you are not in shape, get in shape.  Exercise and eat properly.  This will make the later years much more enjoyable.  Age is simply a state of mind.

You will come out of this slump and it will be a thing of the past, but you have to be positive and endure.  Good luck!!!