Last night I worked on my business plan, after spending the day working on someone else’s priority. Another day today spent working on someone else’s priority and another day away from my ideas. EXCEPT that I posted 2 craigslists ads and one of them bore fruit. I have a potential $10/hr gig working on a website for someone who, like me, wants to become a Villager. The ad that resulted in that lead was similar to the one I used to get the job cleaning a rental unit in The Villages. Which, it just so happens, is where I will be tomorrow after the renters leave around noon.

Two weeks ago I was contemplating and fretting over the possibility of moving into a home with an 87 year old woman who was looking forward to afternoon company and someone to occupy the master bedroom and bathroom during the night. She lives on the other side of the home, a split bedroom plan, and is able to do most everything herself, but the idea was to have someone there for company, to go play Bingo, to go to the square. Someone else was chosen for that position. And, it was ok.

Then I thought I would be moving in to another home, not a split plan this time, but a quiet place with a lovely view out of what would have been my bedroom window. $500 a month, in a really nice home, sharing the rest of the house with the owner. But I wasn’t sure what to do about work, if I were going to take the college job again I would have even further to drive than I do now, so I decided against following through with the plan to move in. I still have 2 months of rent due on the lease where I am now anyway…

And then, dare I say it again, a miracle…a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, garage, golf cart, no roommate, with a view of a preserve from the back screened in porch, from the kitchen…all utilities paid and a mile from both squares. Since then I’ve thought of what I believe is going to be my income generation vehicle, something that is productive, pays well, and is ALL MINE.

Finally, today I went to the doctor, an appointment I made yesterday. I received a clean bill of health regarding a concern that has been bothering me for months…I was so relieved that the tears came, yup, tears of joy. and gratefulness. We never know what the closed door means, or what lies ahead, but when I make the decision to choose to be ok with whatever happens (it really is all I can do anyway if I want to remain sane…thank you Cheri Huber and Byron Katie and all the others!), something always happens.

Something…from one view it might appear to be good, from another view, bad…but no matter what, something always happens. Right now I’m swimming in the apparent good fortune of wonderful news from the doctor, the anticipation of moving into a home in The Villages on May 1 (or sooner!), and the potential income that I can create if/when I decide to take action. Tomorrow, or the next day, there may be some other hiccup on this yellow brick road.

And then something else will happen. Yes, I believe whatever happens, it is for the best and it IS going to be ok. More than ok.

A very CHEAP fix for the economy

This Would Work: I love this plan! This was an article from the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on “How Would You Fix the Economy?” I thought this was the BEST idea. I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President,

Patriotic Retirement:

There’s about 40 million people over 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million apiece severance with three stipulations:

1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage- Housing Crisis fixed.

All National financial problems fixed!!!

The thought came to me three mornings ago….IF I could just find a millionaire, someone to invest in me…it would make all the difference. Since then I have had two close friends contact me and offer to loan me money, both saying the words “this would be an investment in you”.  I didn’t take either of the offers, because I’ve had even more ideas about how to do what I want to do.

Yesterday I made a decision to let go of a room for rent in The Villages.  I disappointed the owner of the home, but I believe that someone and something better will appear for her.  I chose to hold out for what is best for me, and I found it!   On May 1, I will become a Villager!  And before May 1, I will be further along on my way to becoming the person I decided to be when I picked up and moved to Lady Lake.

Right now, I have another paying gig helping a local business owner set up his EBAY site, basically I’m just doing the content work…someone else is doing his website, but, it’s income and I’m all for income!

I have no idea if anyone is even reading this or not, but in any event, stay tuned!!

Spoke with a friend from up North and during the conversation an idea surfaced.  Yes, ANOTHER IDEA!  This one is a combination of FUN, mingling with people, and a LOT of potential.  By the time the conversation was over we had the name of the new company, and a lot of hope.  Tomorrow we will talk again and then the groundwork will begin.

I know that there is more than what I’ve been able to accomplish and I know it’s just waiting for me to figure it out.

I am grateful for all of the opportunities to find out what I DO NOT WANT.

And I am grateful for the promises of tomorrow.

Today I learned, “we’ve chosen someone else”.

That just means something better awaits.

Back to the drawing board.

When I was in college I used to jog.    One of my friends had parents who visited often…I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but I THINK I must have been running one day and, apparently,  smiling at the same time.  Little did I know but her parents had driven by and witnessed the smile.  I was told about the event and, until time intervened, her parents always included, in a phone call or in a letter, the suggestion to  “keep smiling”.

All these years later, Lisa and I still smile when one of us says “Keep smiling!”

I guess we are reminded that smiling is a choice.

Just keep smiling.