rainbowkinect

As we approach the end of 2015 I am fraught with emotions. For me, 2015 was a mixed bag of feelings, challenges and a health scare that ultimately turned into blessings and triumphs culminating in the life altering decision to retire.

After more than four decades of gainful employment the decision to retire, although welcomed, conjure up feelings of free floating anxiety, jubilation, gut wrenching butterflies, and joyful anticipation, many times in unison. After all, my identity, in large part, has been intertwined with my career and related successes.  In order to make my decision real, in June 2015, a year to the day I planned to retire, I actually told my boss of my decision to retire. In doing so many of my friends thought I’d lost my mind but I knew that verbalizing my intention was a necessary part of the plan. I rationalized that once I let the proverbial cat out of the bag, my plan to retire would take on its own life form and as a result I wouldn’t change my mind.

As the days morph into months and I find myself at the half way mark, I am so excited by this next chapter in my life. I’ve actually downloaded a retirement calculator so that I am acutely aware of my remaining working days. As 2015 roars to an end I am so excited by the adventures that lie ahead as one of my personal beliefs is “if you can dream it, you can achieve it!” and I am definitely a dreamer.

Here’s to a healthy, happy and  blessed 2016. Keep dreaming and believing! Always remember all things are possible if you believe.