My month is over

[Lindagerr]

I must return to "normal" life today. My month in Vermont has been wonderful. I have enjoyed reading the post here and feeling connected.

THe Vermonters are a very layed back, friendly, easy going people. I have learned to take more time to smell the roses. I have also learned that at my age I need to destress my life and enjoy what I have. I will continue towards my BA, but I will not let it run my life I will enjoy the pursuit of Knowledge.

I have a mother who depends on me for help, a husband who travels often for work (I will not see him until next week he is leaving for Korea today before I get home) and a almost 21 year old son who has graduated high school tryed 1 semester of college and now is going to try a different "special" high school for a year or two. My 18 year old is starting CC tomorrow and refuses to even try to CLEP anything. Not to mention my married daughter who has other problems.

So I have decided to try substitute teaching, take life slower and try to enjoy what I do have. I recommend that all of you younger students on this sight get your degree now, don't put it off, and even if you end up working in a totally different field then you thought you would, enjoy the adventure. Remember in past generations adults retired at 65 and just had a few years to "take it easy" before life was over. Now adays we can expect to live to 80 or even 90 if we take care of ourself. So starting a new career or as one book put it "Second adolesence" at 40,50 or even 60 still gives us plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Sorry this is such a long rambling post, but I guess I just needed to bring my time here in Vermont to a close in some concrete thoughtful way.

[jkfuss]

I'm glad you enjoyed Vermont. I live in western Massachusetts and Vermont is less than 1 hour away. I go for the same relaxation and solace. Vermont is one of those places you could go to visit and just never come back.

I applaud you for realizing you need to take a more even keel, to slow your pace down. On this forum, it seems like every week a bunch of people are graduating, and in less time than I've spent working on my degree. But it's not a competition. I have to remind myself of that. I did 4 CLEPs in August and earned 24 credits. But you know what, I'm not gonna touch a book for a week or two, and won't schedule an exam till the last week of the month. Why? Because I overdid it.

For me, my difficulty is a chronic illness. Your family situation sounds like enough stress for a dozen people. If people like us want to reach that 80th or 90th birthday, we need to recoup from time to time.

Slowing down isn't stopping, taking a break isn't giving up. Feeling compelled to keep a certain pace and never allowing yourself to reassess is a sure way to burn out. You've realized all that and made a sound decision. Good for you, my hat is off to you!

"Mastering others is power, mastering yourself is true strength." -- Lao Tzu

[categ]

I am proud of you. It takes an intelligent woman to know how and when to say enough. I wish I could do that, it is badly needed. You are my hero.

[twosidneys]

I understand your view and it is nice to sit back and deal with everything that is on your plate now. You need not stop CLEPing though. Just cut way back on the pace and keep your hand in. You can enjoy a much more relaxed pace while keeping everything else going. Life evolves and when you want to pick up the pace, you won't feel rusty.

Sidney

[Sunshine]

Hi Linda,

What a great post. This is not the first time I have been moved by how thoughtful and insightful you have been on this forum. I think you will be an excellent teacher.

S

[Lindagerr]

Thank you all for the great replies and encouragement. I came home to a BIG change, my husband, sons and a friend Decluttered and cleaned my whole house then had a cleaning crew in twice. It was a little hard to adjust to at first (its hard not being able to find things in your own home), but I am getting used to it and enjoying the chance to organize this part of my life better too.

In the past I would have totally flipped out and not been able to deal, but now I am going with the flow and dealing much better. Life is good when you learn to see the silver lining.

[categ]

Wow, how lucky are you. I would have come home to a pig sty, I am sure.