Back in 2017, I was deep in thought about my upcoming retirement and full of gratitude. Even earlier than that, I was making changes, experimenting, getting prepared for when that retirement day arrived. And the day did arrive. But, many unexpected things have happened since then, and lately it’s been difficult to get back in touch with the optimism of the past.
What helped during some dark times was pausing at the end of the day and finding small things to be grateful for. When the BIG things in life demand too much attention, it is too easy to lose sight of those common, everyday goodnesses.
A good meal.
A good night of sleep.
An empty line at the checkout register.
The book you’ve been waiting for from the library becomes available.
You get the picture.
Today I’ve been rereading this blog once again. Refreshing my memory of what is important. Remembering how I went about making positive changes to my life:
By recognizing most all of the various rules did not matter. By recognizing I was happier doing things for myself instead of at the demand of others. By taking time to do things I found interesting. By accepting that sometimes it is better to relax and do nothing.
Somewhere along the way, I began listening to those voices that point out how things are “supposed” to be done. And all their rules bred uncertainty, as they are meant to do.
I think it’s time to relax and do nothing again. Allow enough space to discover once more what it is that calls to me. To remember that telling my stories, in my way, is good enough.
Photo from Unsplash
