My birthday was a couple of days ago. It was an uneventful day. I went to work, returned home, had dinner with the family and blew out a candle on a lemon pie tart. My daughter Haris helped me of course. I honestly don't remember what I wished for. Probably something that included good luck, fortune, and health for me and my family. Something general enough so that it would cover a broad range of needs/wants/desires/dreams. I don't know who made it official that we only get one birthday wish. It doesn't seem right. Life is such a mixed bag, with many categories and sub-categories. Anyway, the fact is I turned 39. Now, I know I'm not old, however, being one year away from 40 set off an alarm in my head. Again, not because I feel old, but because 40 looks nothing like I had imagined it when I was 20, or even 30. On paper, it all seems right. I graduated college, worked interesting jobs, traveled, got married, and became a mom. But, there was one factor I didn't see coming. No one saw it coming. The C word. Ahhhhh... the crisis. Now, as an expat in Greece, one of the hardest hit countries in Europe, my world turned upside down. The company I work for enforced pay cuts for all employees, and my husband, a jewelry benchmaker and technician since the age of 15, suddenly became a stay-at-home dad. Now, before I go any further, let me clarify that in no way do I think we have it bad. We are not living in a war-torn country, we have family close by, and we have a wonderful home. So, compared to a lot of people, we continue to be one of the lucky ones. That being said, living paycheck to paycheck (and sometimes not even that) is frustrating and challenging. It brings up many mixed feelings and imposes many limitations.
So, what does this have to do with my birthday, you say? Well, one year away from 40, I have decided that things need to change. As a working mom with a toddler, I let myself go, physically and spiritually. The financial aspect just made everything even more intense. My goal for this year, however, is to alter my reality. No time? No money? No problem. Using the internet as my guide, I will tap in to all the readily available resources that are out there to accomplish this goal. This is my reinvention. Can it be done? I think so. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens out there, but we can do our best with whatever is within reach... ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, that will be enough to attract all that we seek.
DO WHAT YOU CAN, WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, WHERE YOU ARE.
I hope you will stick around for the ride and be inspired.
So, what does this have to do with my birthday, you say? Well, one year away from 40, I have decided that things need to change. As a working mom with a toddler, I let myself go, physically and spiritually. The financial aspect just made everything even more intense. My goal for this year, however, is to alter my reality. No time? No money? No problem. Using the internet as my guide, I will tap in to all the readily available resources that are out there to accomplish this goal. This is my reinvention. Can it be done? I think so. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens out there, but we can do our best with whatever is within reach... ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, that will be enough to attract all that we seek.
DO WHAT YOU CAN, WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, WHERE YOU ARE.
I hope you will stick around for the ride and be inspired.
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