The Good, the Better and the Best
Good news... It is something we all want to hear. It is something we all want to feel in our lives.
This reminds me of a joke I heard from an older lady one day. She was talking about happiness and she said, "Happiness is like peeing your pants. Others can see it, but you get to feel it!"
Well, I thought it was a good way to express the feeling of joy!
Having come through COVID-19, I realize that I have SO much to be grateful for.
I have so much good going on right now. I am no longer letting COVID-19 take my joy. That is my "good news." I feel that I am mostly on the other side of the disease. I still have times when I am attacked by extreme nausea, dizziness and fatigue, but, those too, are becoming less and less as each day goes by and my body heals.
The Better News
For most of my life I have struggled with what I want to be when I grow up. I always knew it had to do with writing, but I never felt I was quite where I wanted and needed to be.
Then I discovered blogging and I felt like I was home. When I found WA, I KNEW I had found home.
The problem was and has been finding the time to do what I wanted to do.
I have been so busy making a living, I found that I was not making a life. Sometimes jobs can do that to us.
Even though I was writing for my day job, I was also struggling with all the time I had to devote to the 40 hour a week job. It was more like 24/7. I would get calls and texts day and night, weekends, holidays, while on vacation.
It has been to the point that even during my sleeping hours I am dreaming (nightmares) about my job.
Don't get me wrong, I have loved the job for most of the 25 years I have worked for the newspaper. But...it was not home...
I told this to my spouse who, to my surprise, agreed with me.
The Best News
Some of you may remember a post I did some time again about retiring from my day job the day before my 55th birthday.
Well, I am sorry to say that did not happen. I turned 55 on November 30 and am still plugging away at the day job.
You may be asking yourself, "Karin, how can you put that under the heading of 'The Best News?'"
Well, let me take a moment to answer that.
After I told my spouse about how unhappy I was at my day job, my spouse surprised me to speechlessness!
"I have been thinking about this. I am going to get a second job every other weekend. That should give us enough to eke through until you can start making money from your websites and e-books. I want you to quit your day job."
WHAT?!
I honestly began to cry. I was so touched by the gesture and the confirmation that I had the belief of my spouse that I could do this!
So even though I didn't get to quit my job the day before my 55th birthday, I am still going to be able to quit my day job this year! What an answer to prayers!
I will be doing tutoring with two of my other grandchildren which is a paid position. It will be for about 10 hours a week and I will make nearly as much in 10 hours as I made at the newspaper since COVID-19.
Since I will be doing that on weekends, I will have my entire week to focus 100% on my business!
I am so excited I can barely contain myself! I have started mapping out my days so that I have a consistent schedule of researching, reading and writing. I am including time for exercise and fun.
I can't even describe my happiness, except to say, I now really understand the joke the older woman told me years ago!
If you would like, please share something in the comments that has given you joy! Let's spread the happiness!
I still believe!
Karin 🎅🎅🎅
Recent Comments
48
Hats off to your incredible spouse, it's a brave move on your part to give up a full time income in a career you have had for year's, but it is an even braver move for your spouse, but the fact he has so much belief that you can achieve your dreams and future goals is testimony to you, so perhaps his leap of faith is actually not such a surprise. It is never the less a wonderful thing to do..❤️
Think the man deserves a special meal with all the trimmings...
Good luck Karin I am delighted for you.
Thanks, Cordelia. I made the spouse promise he'd quit the extra job as soon as I started making a regular income. It's agreed upon!
It is a wonderful sacrifice on the spouse's part!
Best wishes,
Karin 😎
Your husband is amazing! What a wonderful show of support. You two are definitely a team.
I have a friend who wanted to be a travel writer, but worked in a department store (and hated it!). She set a goal of 1 year, and worked 8 hours each day in the store, 8 hours each night on her travel writing. She started selling articles regularly, getting offer free trips, sponsored assignments, etc. all while keeping her bills paid. In less than a year of double-duty, she was able to quit working at the store and become a full-time travel writer.
Yup, sometimes you have to pay some dues along your journey, but if you are determined and focused, it's worth it for sure!
I love the story you shared with me. It is inspiring stories such as that which make me believe that anything is possible!
Best wishes,
Karin 😎
See more comments
I'm glad you are on the mend. I'm guessing it will take time And how nice for your spouse to work out a way for you to have your full days to attend to your websites and writing. I have faith in you that you will make good use of your new time. But take care of your health too. Covid 19 is a tough virus to get rid of. My Best for you and Fly to the skies, friend.
Thank you, Barb! I have been taking it slow. Sometimes new things are coming up but I take them in stride. But overall, I feel so much better and have so much more energy than I did even a week ago. I hope all is going well for you!
I am really excited about having the time to devote to my life's work (which I consider my websites a part of).
Best wishes and have a great day, my friend, Barb,
Karin 😎