Your current employer as a job reference?

*** Great, so the thing that you want more than anything is to be genuinely happy, that is what we all want more than anything. Without the one element that is most essential to genuine happiness – Real Love we seek other things. These other things (a partner, a loving family, a job, money etc… ) without Real Love these things seem to be the solution, but only in the short term. However the consequences which are not immediately apparent lead to the ones of feelings of emptiness, the void left by the absence of Real Love.

My position is an exempt position, in which the expectation is: "Exempt staff members are required to work as long as it takes to fulfill their responsibilities."  Therein lies part of the problem for me.  I did not know this until after I was hired, and once I started, I didn't understand what that really meant (i.e., work late during the week and/or work weekends, if that's what it takes). The culture of my organization is that if there is anything outside of your job (school, family, volunteer activities), it is considered to be in direct competition with the job.   

*** That’s it, this is part of the problem and this is where the Healing power of Real Love needs to be addressed first. You need to start here, to be seen, and feel loved and accepted. As you feel loved and accepted you’ll see choices that will make you happier. What did they do (Employer)? and what did you do?

As we go through this the rest of what you’ve written, and feel loved and accepted by sharing your truth you’ll see with a different pair of eyes which will enable you to make happier choices.