"You're fired" and "We need to talk" are probably two of the most dreaded phrases in the English language. Being fired, believe it or not, is often for the best. It's a sure sign something wasn't right at the workplace. When termination is merited, perhaps the position and/or organization wasn't a good fit.

If you were let go for personal rather than professional reasons (e.g., the job description is a perfect fit, but your boss/supervisor dislikes you or jealous co-workers undermine you), it's still for the best. Working for an organization or person that devalues you and/or behaves abusively toward you can have a malignant effect on every aspect of your life. Even when we know we ought to move onto greener pastures, it's difficult to walk away from the security of a steady paycheck no matter how intolerable the situation.

How being fired affects you depends upon how you choose to view it. I was once fired. The last 18-months of the job, I awoke with headaches and nausea, bracing myself for the day ahead. I knew I needed to leave, but couldn't make the break. As my former supervisor and director gleefully wielded the axe, I had an "Oh my god I can't believe I'm being fired" moment.

It occurred to me just then how much I hated the job and that, unbeknownst to them, they were doing me an enormous favor (thanks ladies!) When I returned home that evening, I popped in some Puccini, ran a hot bath with my favorite French lavender oil, opened a bottle of Taittinger's I'd been saving for a special occasion, and savored the moment. Nessun dorma.

I slept better that night than I had in months and embarked upon on what has been one of the most exciting and momentous periods of my life. Being fired is an ending, but it's also a beginning.

Oftentimes, what seems like a horrible experience is for the best. It's a sign that you need to make changes. You can triumph or become paralyzed by it. It all depends upon how you choose to approach it.