Its been a great week! The house is (relatively) clean, I’ve been exercising, I spent a wonderful day yesterday just with my daughter… and I finally finished painting 75 cards for a German charity! I feel like I really accomplished stuff this week and it feels so good.
So I guess that’s my recipe for happiness, spending quality time with my family, exercising, painting for a cause…and yes having a clean house especially since I hate cleaning, this has to be my greatest accomplishment, week after week. 😉 I’ve also made a conscious decision to not go back to work. I was seriously thinking about it these last few weeks, and even had a job interview for a great company, but I realised that going back to work was just a reaction to my fear. Fear of the future. I started my 54th year and I was afraid that if I didn’t look for a job now, in 4 years, when the kids are gone, I’ll really be too old to find a job if I needed one. However I finally decided not to let fear decide what I really want to do, which is spend these last few years just being there for my kids, before they go off to university somewhere in the world, but not here in Germany.
This may seem strange to my friends who know I haven’t been working for the last 5 years. For me though, I always had my French job to fall back on so I didn’t really have to decide anything, but letting it go made me realise I had to decide what I was going to do for the rest of my life. So even if it seems like I’m just continuing what I’ve been doing the last few years, in my head its different and I have to say I’m more at peace with myself now.
So today, I’m grateful for many things. For my husband who can’t give up his job just yet to be a blues guitarist 😉 so I can do what I want, for my kids who, even though they are teenagers, are loving, rarely moody and still agree to spend an hour or so with us each day… for my friends (physical & virtual) who support me and patiently listen to my complaints, doubts and just general ramblings, for having a creative passion that challenges me each day but brings me such joy, and for my health, even if my arthritis is telling me I’m not so young anymore I can still do TRX!!
And you, what are you thankful for today?
Hugs,
Gwendolyn Watercolors 
You created all these? That’s amazing, I love every single one, as far as I can see them.
I am very happy, that you had a good week, I wish my house was clean, but I still have some (a lot of) work to do today.
Lots of Love
Ela
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This made me smile so hugely, Gwen! I saw a post a while ago where you were filled with angst and I wanted to leave a comment, but commenting seemed to be turned off on that one. So I’m delighted to see this follow-up that you have worked through things in your mind and resolved not to give in to your fear! Way to go! I’m glad you are at peace with your decision so that you can now fully embrace the next four years with those amazing kids! After all, it’s the best job in the world!! Life does go on once the nest is empty and any decisions made now can be changed and updated then. In this day and age women in their 60s who are intelligent, talented, and full of zest CAN find worthwhile employment, if that’s what you want when you hit the next crossroad. I’m thankful for too many things to mention, but high on my list is all the wonderful friends I’ve made in our little corner of the Wide World of Webs! I’m blessed and thankful that you are one of them! ❤Hugs, Darnell
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And I’m thankful to have such a wise & supportive friend like you Darnell, thanks again for stopping by, I always look forward to hearing from you.
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