They say that in her 40's, women tend to reflect on their lives. "...she can choose to work at being: 1) physically fit (have regular medical check-ups, reduce stress, eat the right food, exercise regularly, stay upbeat); 2) emotionally competent (continue to know and develop herself, consider her limitations, maintain meaningful relationships); and 3) intellectually engaged (read, work, volunteer, remain socially active)"-- Five Questions on Women In Their 40s.
I chose to be a fulltime writer. In other words, where I used to say that my day job is ?? and my real job is an author. Now, it's plain and simple. I'm an author. Basically I'm self-employed.
Now I had some taste of that when my husband had his engineering consulting company. I would compare the ride to one of the loopy roller coasters-- up, down, tail spin, soaring at great heights, smiling and nauseous all at the same time.
What are my advantages: no more Sunday afternoon blues about the next day, no more staring at my closet trying to figure out what to wear...or what will fit, a reversion to kindergarten days when afternoon naps were a good thing.
Disadvantages: I'll limit myself to three. No one pays me for doing nothing, or as I call it, coasting until motivated to do something. You don't stop thinking about your job, no such thing as 9-5. Going flat out broke!
But I have never been the type to sit on the sidelines and let life pass me by. I enjoy jumping into the melee and fake it 'til I make it. It reminds of when I ran the Marine Corp marathon and instead of getting
in the back with the slow folks, my friend and I thought we'd found a good spot to start. When the race started, the scene of us running for our lives was akin to the running of the bulls. Leg cramps, tears, and thoughts of quitting plagued me throughout the race. But I kept going and I have the pictures and participant's medal for my efforts.
in the back with the slow folks, my friend and I thought we'd found a good spot to start. When the race started, the scene of us running for our lives was akin to the running of the bulls. Leg cramps, tears, and thoughts of quitting plagued me throughout the race. But I kept going and I have the pictures and participant's medal for my efforts.It takes fortitude, a healthy dose of common sense, tenacity and passion to stay the course. I'm looking forward to every day and counting my blessings along the way.
What is one thing that you would like to do in life?
A lucky winner will receive a copy of my latest book - Only In Paradise and a $10 Starbuck card.
Michelle Monkou
Trail of Kisses--February 2010
18 comments:
travel. i always wanted to travel , all over world. visit allkinds of places. just well like old hippies that hitch hiked and just went, with no place in mind, just travele
Since I got diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis I've had to give up a lot of things that I like to do. I'm just not physically able to do a lot of walking and rigorus activity anymore. The one think I would like to do is have a big English garden with lots of herbs, I love all kinds of herbs especially mints and basils. And I love flowers and gardens. This would be my dream.
Linda Henderson
seriousreader at live dot com
I'd love to visit Alaska and spend the summer there watching the wildlife and going fishing.
We've lived in this, our only house, for 26 years now. In all this time, we have never replaced a single carpet. All need to be replaced -- especially the wall-to-wall carpeting. Every time it makes it to the top of our list of priorities, a niece will get married 2000+ miles away and the money goes toward the trip ... or the roof blows off so shingling takes priority ... or the driveway is dangerous and causing car problems because of the deep ruts ... and the priorities keep changing. It would be sooo nice to have a new plush carpet in our living and dining rooms. As it is now, the vacuum cleaner sucks the rug up and furniture movement causes ripples in the carpeting. Not pretty.
Don't get me wrong, though: I am infinitely glad that we were able to visit family several times over the years, especially for important occasions, and would never have given those up for a stupid rug!
Hi Michelle, nice blog !
What would I want to do ??? Easy, I want YOUR job, lol !!
I really wish I had any talent and become an author.
As for a more realistic dream... well, I'd love to travel more and visit all the US natural parks.
I would love to tour Australia. It is my dream vacation.
I'd really love to attend the winter Olympics in a beautiful country like Switzerland!
I would love to learn how to play the piano. I don't have the patience for something like that but there are a few songs I really love hearing on the piano. I would love to be able to play "Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills.
I would love to go on a world cruise. There are so many places I want to see and experience.
Hi Michelle,
I have always wanted to own a pool. I absolutely love to swim and hardly ever get a chance to. When I was a kid my friends next door to my parents house had a pool. They invited me over their everyday in the summer to swim. We had a blast!
Then I had swimming class in high school and loved it! The only time now that I ever get to swim is if we take a vacation and stay at a hotel with a pool which is very rare.
Travel - before i get to damn old!! lol!! Especially to New Orleans! That has always been my dream trip! Maybe I will make it one day. I would also like to travel all over the US and see the sites - not just breeze thru.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Thank you ladies for sharing. I hope that you have the good fortune to do what your heart desires.
Each of you will receive a copy of my latest book. Contact me at michellemonkou@comcast.net with your address.
Again thank you.
Thank you Michelle for the generosity ;-)
Thank you so much, Michelle. That's a very nice thing to do.
Thank you, Michelle.
You are so generous Michelle! Thank you so much!
You are very generous. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Michelle. What a lovely thing to do!
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