Starting over.....

Gosh, it's been a long time!  As most of you experience, I'm sure, sometimes "life" takes over and things fall by the wayside!  As you can see from the rarity of blog posts, this has happened to me.  Sigh. 

I'm proud to say parenting has always come first for me, even with my crazy busy career!  And with this, comes prioritizing....and well, my kids were always on top which meant other things had to slide, i.e. this blog...

Well....now things have changed, My husband and I have just become an "empty nesters".  So, in essence, we am starting over.  Yes, we am still parents, thankfully, but they will not be depending on us daily anymore (and maybe it's been awhile since they have depended on me, but please indulge me a bit :))

My daughter, Tiffany, said to me a few weeks ago "Mom, I'm so happy for you - for the last 23 years you have put Madison and I first - now you can focus on you.....and Dad".  What a sweet thing to hear from your kid! So, that's what I am doing,  I'm starting over.  Many mixed emotions are going through my mind right now....Excited, anxious, nervous, scared and sad.  How can all of them occur at once?  I don't know, but they do!  One minute to the next, my emotions can change.  But I have to admit, they are mostly good!  Sure, I am sad my kids are on to their next chapter, but I feel good about it.  I was the best mom I could be, I have no regrets.  My kids know I loved them, I was at every event I could be, I ENJOYED them and hopefully I prepared them. 


While starting over is scary, whether it is changing careers / jobs, changing marital status, losing someone you love or becoming an empty nester, it can also be fulfilling.  This is where resiliency comes in.  Resilient in bouncing back from your fears, from your doubts, from your sadness, from your failures.  Its about embracing the here and now. Relishing in the good memories and making new ones. Being present in all you do!  Maybe it's time to re-define "What does happiness mean to me"?  Whatever it is, engage in your change.  Make it the best it can be by creating a plan on how you will start over with a vision and a mission!  Define it and make it your destiny!  Surround yourselves with those who will contribute to your plan and your success and depart from those who don't. 

Make it all about YOU!  Be passionate about YOU.  It's time.  What's going on in your life where you can "start over"?  Whether it is getting in shape, leaving a bad relationship, leaving a bad job or   spending more time with the people you love.  Whatever it is, make the change be a positive one for you!  That is my wish for you!  Make it happen!