Time to Move On.

Hey there, my fellow WA Members!

No, no, no...I don't mean time to move on that way!

I'm not going anywhere...

Let me explain...and, before I get any further let me warn you...

This is just to get it out there and get it off my chest...

It's been weighing me down for far too long.

So, I understand if you don't want to read it...it's not exactly about affiliate marketing, keywords or anything like that.

Maybe, it'll help a few of you to let the things go that are holding you back ...whether it's fear, depression, grief, etc.

Warning....It is a realllly long read!

But, if you have the time, feel free to read it...might want to grab a coffee or a snack while you're at it...

It's been ages since I've written a blog here, but I've been here all along...

And, whether you know it or not, you, my friends...

have helped me get through the toughest times of my life over the past couple years!

The year 2014 was the start of it all, and it took much of last year to even get somewhat back to normal...well, that's if I've ever been what you call normal.

You see, the year 2014 started out bad with my hubby losing his job of almost 15 years. It wasn't easy, but we got through it...just had to figure out the best way to use the money we did make and cut some things we didn't need.

Since I only work part-time at my regular job, I was able to work extra hours to help pay our bills. But, working 12 hour shifts meant less time to work on my goals for my websites...I'd try and get something done every day, but I was absolutely exhausted when I'd get home.

Anyways, that wasn't the worst thing that year...

I know, you might think this silly, those of you who aren't "dog" people...

In February 2014, our oldest dog, Pepper, a 12-year-old a husky/lab mix we'd had since a pup started getting lumps everywhere. She started eating less, but she always had her tail wagging. She was still her happy self. After noticing these first few lumps we brought her to the vet.

This wasn't the first time either. About a year before, she had lumps, which the veterinarian was able to surgically remove. He thought he got them all...she was healthy and happy for that year or so, jumping around like a puppy!

This time was different...the vet didn't think it would do any good to do surgery again, it was cancerous and moving fast. So, we could either choose to let it run its course or put her to sleep. Since she was still eating and being her happy self, we decided to let her be and enjoy what time was left with her.

It was a very short time. A few weeks later, she had a seizure one day, and never really got out of it...she was dazed and tipsy like a drunken sailor, but would still manage to go outside with us on her own four legs. But, she refused to eat or drink anymore.

Over the next couple days, we could see our time with our beloved Pepper was at the end. She was suffering. It was time to let her go...she knew it, we knew it.

So, we said our goodbyes and took her for one last car ride...

It was a hard time to get through to say the least. We still miss our gentle, happy Pepper, but...

Life wasn't done throwing lemons at us yet...

Oh no, it gets worse....much worse...it was just building up to throw the worst one for last...

Maybe the saying I've heard my family tell "bad things always comes in threes" is true...

The day after Easter, my mom called me to say she feels sick and needs to go to a doctor...she felt like it's hard to breath. The day before, during Easter dinner she didn't look all that good, but of course she insisted "I'm fine!"

Ooooh, Such a....Stubborn Finlander! Too stubborn to admit she wasn't feeling good...now, I know where that bullheadedness comes from!

Now, for my mom to ask for help is unusual...even at the age of 76. And, for her to actually want to go to the doctors?

Ha! That was never...but she was asking, so I knew it wasn't good.

Once there, the doctors ran a few tests and found what they thought was the culprit...pneumonia. So, they gave her antibiotics and since her lungs were already so filled with fluid, drained her lungs.

Feeling a lot better already, we went home later that day. Everything seemed okay for about a week or so, then it started all over again...she started feeling like she couldn't breath right again.

The doctors did some more tests, drained her lungs again, and this time put her on oxygen. Still showing up as pneumonia according to the tests...

It was and it wasn't...

The pneumonia wasn't the only thing making her sick as we later found out...finally after going back and forth with the doctors, it was discovered that she had lung cancer. But, there was still hope in removing it with surgery the doctors said...

First, they wanted her to get stronger before the surgery...

Well, my mom did NOT want to stay at the hospital. So, they finally sent us home til she recovered from the pneumonia. A home health nurse came every so often to check up on her and they also set up oxygen in my parent's home. We knew that was what she'd want, to be home. And, I sure don't blame her...I wouldn't have had it any other way either if it was me. So, I'd go check on her and my 80-year-old dad every morning before work at 3 a.m. or just go there when I didn't have to work at some point in the early morning hours.

She was still getting around okay at the time. My dad was there too, watching over her like a mother hen and helping with as much as he could. But, it gave me peace of mind to see how she was doing each morning. My older brother would be arriving home in a few hours to be with them during the day and my hubby often checked in on them too.

This went on til the end of May when things took a turn for the worse, and she had to go back to the hospital again. The doctors were hoping they could still get her into surgery, but they needed a few days to get her sodium levels up...if not, they didn't think she'd survive it.

Well, the surgery never happened, it was already too late...the swiftly moving cancer had spread into both lungs. Each breath became a struggle as the days went on.

We spent a week in the hospital with her. Only going home long enough to shower, let the dogs out, and a couple hours nap. Through it all, she remained strong in spirit...still kidding around with the doctors and nurses. She was always a happy, strong-willed woman that loved to make people smile.

My mom knew her time here was done...she'd be going to a better place. She even said so...which was so hard to hear. It broke our hearts into itsy-bitsy pieces...

But, in our hearts, we all knew it too. It was so hard to see her life fade away, day by agonizing day. She silently slipped away from us all as I sat holding her hand on June 3, 2014...she was gone from our world, but not our hearts.

Afterwards, I just felt numb...I think that's the only way I made it through the funeral, without becoming a hysterical, sobbing mess. I believe now, it was God's way of getting me through...that's what I believe and if you don't, then that's okay.

Anyways, if you're still with me thank you! Just a little more to go...oh, and no more sad stuff...promise!

Throughout all this time, I'd check in here at WA whenever I had a chance, maybe attempt working on my site a bit. I read so many blogs here that touched my heart and kept me going, but I remained silent. I just couldn't seem to get the words together.

So, I'd like to say...

...for inspiring me and lifting me up when I was down...

But, now, I've realized it's time to move on, it's gone on far too long.

I'm moving on to the niche I should've done in the first place.

Choosing the Wrong Niche?

No, choosing the niche you feel comfortable doing at that point in your life is never wrong or a failure. Even if you aren't "successful" with it, you've gained something...experience!

You've tried it out and realized, you really want something else for your life...it's a bit easier the next time around since you've actually done it before.

Now, I'm not saying if you don't make money with it, to give up and throw in the towel...the money isn't what I'm talking about.

Say Whaaaat???? It's not about the money?

This niche I'm talking about, my first one...it does make some money every month.

So, no...I'm not throwing away all that hard work! I'm not that crazy...and, I do enjoy it still.

But, the point is...

When I first started out here, I chose a niche that I love, but it's not one that I want to "be." It's not what I want to become known for...

So, think about that...

What do you want to be known for?

I've always known what I'd love more than anything to do...but, was always too afraid to share it until now...

Life is too short to be afraid of what others think about you or what you do. So why not do what you love? They're going to think what they want anyways...

What others think does not matter to you...it will only affect you if you let it...

Okay, so what is my new niche already?

Ever since I could pick up a pencil, I've loved to draw and later on, oil painting. But, I never shared it with others. Only my closest family and friends knew.

Why? Why didn't I just do this in first place?

Fear...plain and simple.

The fear of failure, rejection, being made fun of, etc. Now, I just don't care...what anyone thinks. If they don't like it that's okay, they don't have to look at it then.

After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...right?

I enjoy doing artwork...the process of creating something.... that's what matters to me, not what someone else might say or think about it.

Why waste your life away worrying about what others think? Worrying about the "what ifs" all the time?

If you enjoy doing something, then do it!

Chances are there are others out there that are passionate about the same thing as you.

You just have to find them. Connect with them. Find what troubles them and help them solve their problems.

Never be afraid to be who you are...

Be the person you want to be.

What's the worst that can happen? So, someone doesn't like what you do or say...

Let it be their problem, not yours...

If you're passionate about something and put in the work towards your goals, help others within that niche...eventually the money will find you.

At least that's what I believe...

Now, if I can only figure out what problems can be solved with artwork, lol.

BTW, any thoughts on that? I'd appreciate any ideas you might want to share...

What do you think? Should choosing a niche be based solely on how much money you could make? Or, Should it be something you love doing?

If you've read all this... A sincere and heartfelt... Thank You, my friend!

Best wishes :) ~Sherry