Back in January I took an unpaid leave from my teaching position to travel to Cuba for some sun, sand and relaxation. When all was said and done, this 'unpaid leave' to enjoy some warm temps and regain my sanity from a stressful class..... cost me over $3000!!!!! During this time I realized I 'needed' to be in a warmer climate and thought long and hard about HOW I could possibly spend my last few years of teaching in 'paradise' as opposed to the harsh, bitter and depressing climate here in central Ontario. YES, I LOVE my summers here but two short months out of twelve.... seem even soooo much shorter when winter starts in October!!! ITS now near the end of March and springs seems NOWHERE in sight!!! I was once told I 'shine' best in the sun and summer.... I was once told I am more 'ME' when I'm barefoot, dancing in the sand or when my tanned skin sparkles from the light of a bonfire on a warm summer's evening or when I'm sipping a glass of sparkling wine, toes in sand as the sun showers me with colour and delight as I sit on a blanket on my favourite beach and watch the sun fade, the stars appear and the warm wind massages my tanned skin and twists my hair into natural curls! YES, I NEED to change things up... I NEED to be in a place I can SHINE, along with the sun, surf and sand, flowers, sparkling rains... somewhere near paradise... somewhere where I can sink my toes into the sand for longer than two months a year!
OK, my mindset back IN January started me on a course of change! A positive change. In fact, there were a number of reasons for my decision... I like to think of as 'the stars aligning' because to list the reasons for this life changing decision...might be too negative.... and my intent is to be positive and stay positive!
YES, I made a life changing decision!
YES, I made an empowering decision and guess what??? I made IT just FOR ME, BY ME and because of ME... its all about ME this time!!!! NOT for my parent, for a man. for my kids or for anyone else... just ME!!!! YUP , that is empowering and life giving and proves to no one but me, that I love myself enough to do what it takes to be the best ME I CAN BE!
So just a few short weeks ago I announced to my family, friends, co-workers, employer, powers that be (or need to know at least), etc that I was retiring (yes, a little earlier than expected) and moving to COSTA RICA!!!!!
This is my blog. This is a blog FOR ME! If anyone cares to read or follow , great. But I really am only writing this FOR ME! I am 52 years old (almost 53) and alone and FREE..... I am letting GO of my past, my job, my life here as I know it to start a new adventure.
(FOR the record, I have 4 loves of my life who call me MOM. One is coming with me. Three have 'wings' and are beginning their own journeys and know, MOM will always be there for them!!! I will NEVER let my babies go.... yes I have to let them live their own lives... but they are forever my babies!!! Matt, Mel, Chrissy, Nicky.... you know how I feel)
Pura Vida....
I am here. I am preparing my next step! I am ready!!!!
Lish
