I considered it, I did it and it didn't even bother me!

If I recall correctly, Terra's sites are service sites, i.e. ghostwriting and voice over work. Basically lead generation sites for her services. She's saying she's tired of working for clients and ready to work for herself.

Greetings Terra,

I hear you. I do think that this is something that strikes all of us at a certain age range as well as achieved income level and lifestyle.

Around a year ago I dropped all of my clients except one that can only be referred to as the 'Goose That Laid the Golden Egg.' His account, alone has been worth more than all the others combined, so I will hang on to him until I hang up my mouse, completely. :-) Additionally, and this is a first, but I have allowed our business relationship to transition into a personal friendship. This was done with a tremendous amount of trepidation, but has been good for me, so far.

I now devote my time to my projects and only work on them when I feel like doing so. If I want to put the top down on the Bimmer and take the day off, I do so without any regret or sense of guilt. If I feel like working for 12 hours at a stretch, that's exactly what I do.

Isn't this the ultimate goal of slaving for years on end? lol There is more to life than money, but I do realize that you can only feel this way once you have earned enough of it to stop worrying about it. Once you do - which is generally later in life, it's time to focus on all of the things you may have neglected while you were in constant pursuit of same.

I still take the occasional odd-job that comes my way by referral, but only if it is something I enjoy doing and where the remuneration is worth giving up my free time. Additionally, I must have something specific that I want to spend that money on, rather than just accumulate it. Since I have everything I need and probably everything that I could even say that I still want, those jobs are rare.

My last hurdle is breaking free of the psychological issues that have kept me basically chained to my house for over 20 years. Although I have no great desire to travel and I really do enjoy being at home, I have been contemplating a trip to Sardinia where I can eat fresh caught seafood for breakfast, lunch, dinner and as a midnight snack. It has been on my mind for close to a year and I am giving it more serious thought with each passing day. Leaving my dog in a kennel is a heart-breaking prospect, especially since she's a rescue dog. I can't even begin to imagine what will go through her mind. I know it's not good to anthropomorphize our pets, but I'm helpless in this regard. lol I'm pretty sure that in the end, this will be what prevents me from actually embarking on this sojourn. I'm considering dressing her up as a sevice dog and taking her with me. I'm serious. :-)

Anyhow - good for you, Terra. Enjoy your new-found freedom and make the most of it. You can always make more money, but time, once it is gone, has been lost forever.

Cheers. - Frank

Yes something like that.

Then as the day begins to fade away and slowly darken, I find myself past dusk on my favorite blanket upon the peak of a grassy knoll, overlooking a perfectly splendid pond alive with aquatic life. The plush green grass beneath me cushioning my body ever so gently as it cradles me; the weeping willow tree’s delicate, fluid branches slightly swaying, keeping perfect time to the harmony of the night’s established tempo.


I find my foot absently tapping to the spontaneous orchestra the frogs and crickets are performing at the edge of the pond. I become mesmerized by the light show the lightening bugs are presenting over the mirrored pond when the moon's reflection calls to me. I stand and begin to dance, with every step taking me closer to the performance taking place at the pond as my whole being yearns to become one with nature...


So did I go skinny dipping? I'll never tell, lol!




Terra

Greetings Sal,

Well, after 20 years I must confess to kinda taking it for granted, especially during the winter when it's cold and damp with whitecaps rolling across the lake.

I used to go crazy every spring and plant dozens of pots of bulbs, which always made a gray, rainy day feel so much better. I have skipped that since Baby passed, but I'm thinking of setting up a part of my yard for attracting birds with feeders, sprinklers and other bird goodies. I'm also thinking about putting in a giant pond. That's something I have always wanted to do. We'll see.

The main problem is, once the sun breaks, all I want to do is put the top down on the Bimmer and ride for hours. Buying that car has really changed my life. If I didn't have Honey to take care of, I'd take a weeks long road trip. lol

Cheers. - Frank

P.S. I hope you are feeling better.

lol I don't really know what what has happened to my life, either. All I know is that up until very recently, I was around 30 years younger

As far as 'normal' goes, I don't use that word much. I'm sure you know by now that everything that I say, do, think or feel - is extremely special. :-)

Cheers. - Frank