My New Year Optimism

Happy New Year!

I am very excited about what 2011 has in store for me, but before I begin, let me touch on an issue that came about in 2009 that threw me into a depression that lasted a good part of a year. My husband’s 17-year old daughter moved in with us. She lived with us for about a year and moved out shortly after graduating high school.  I can go on about how lazy and ungrateful she was, but in keeping with my new outlook for the New Year, I will stick to the positives.

From that awful experience, I learned to be a better wife. Shortly after she moved in, my husband and I started marriage counseling. We often went together, but for the most part I went by myself to sort out some of my own issues. I learned how to change my thought process, as I am a perpetual pessimist, and to not dwell on the negatives. I couldn’t change the situation, so instead I learned how to compromise and cope in a non-destructive way. I think both my husband and I became better people, as individuals and as a couple.

And now our happiness has given me hope for our future. I have never been happier in our relationship than I am now and that makes him happy too. Things are good. I hope things get better for me on a personal level as well. I am retiring in a little more than a year. I am coming up on 20-years with the Sheriff’s Department. As I am still fairly young, maybe not that young, but I haven’t hit the change of life just yet, I feel it’s time I move into the next chapter of my life.

I want to further my writing and photography career and have been working hard on putting together my portfolio. I’ve also been working on a business plan to help organize my photography goals and get moving in a more definitive direction. I may not be able to turn it into a fulltime job, but I am confident I can at least make some money doing something I enjoy tremendously.

Next up, is volunteering. I am an official volunteer for the County Parks & Recreation Department. I am hoping that that may turn into full time employment once I retire, but if not, I am still optimistic that something will come about from the experience. Maybe a book? Some great pictures? Some new friends?

I have a few other jobs that I’ve added to my list of possibilities and with a husband who supports me– not to mention will keep me on his health plan – my opportunities are limitless! I am hoping I can continue to stay positive which will give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and seize opportunities as they present themselves. This is going to be a fabulous year, but it will take a lot of effort on my part. I am up for the challenge, so bring it!