Career opportunities take many paths, and Eddy Gilmore’s wound its way out of corporate America.

When his kids were 9, he lost his job.

“I was essentially washed up without any tangible skills,” he said. “I always had great grades as a student, good at executing directions, just doing what I’m told. And now I’m just cut loose.”

He writes about that journey in a new book, “Lit Up: Out of the cubicle and into the real world.” Aside from writing, Gilmore, who lives in Duluth, runs an urban “tiny farm” in which he grows microgreens.

“I guess one of the premises is getting around other people who don’t fit the dominant mold and learning how they do it, and then just going out and being willing to fail,” he said.

He felt unprepared for his abrupt departure from the corporate world and wants to encourage others to be ready to do something that is more in line with their passion and gifting.

His book and information about urban farming and more can be found at eddygilmore.com.