If someone had told me that I would put in 9 years of college (full and part-time) and spend 14 years in a career and then give it all up in my forties, I would have said they were crazy.  But here I am doing just that.  You might be asking yourself what would cause a person to make such a decision.  Well, several things have happened this past year that I believe have been the catalyst for this major life change.

• My youngest left home for college (in another state!)
• My father was killed at work at the age of 65
• I moved to a new town with my significant other

 So what do these things have to do with my decision to change careers?  Well, for the first time in 25 years, I am no longer directly responsible for another person.  You empty-nesters know what I'm talking about.  I now have the opportunity to focus on me and what I want.  (It took me 6 months to see the there was something positive in my youngest leaving home). 

Secondly, my dad's passing was both devastating and unexpected.  But what I took away from it was that we never know when it will be our last day.  Therefore, I need to live life on purpose and with purpose.  While I have no control over when I'll die, I do have a choice in how I'll live each day that I have.

Lastly, to pack up and leave my family, friends, and community to start life somewhere new was scary but also very liberating.  It helped me to realize that life is whatever and wherever I choose it to be.  

When asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answers ranged from being a teacher to a movie star.  So far I have been a residential counselor, a developmental therapist, and a speech therapist (do you see a theme here).  I'm now ready to move down the spectrum and try my hand at something new (look out Hollywood).   

Life is short in the grand scheme of things.   I have committed the first half of my life to my children.  The second half now belongs to me.  And I plan on taking full advantage of each and every day that I am given.  That includes enjoying a new career!

Enjoy the day!

Side note:  If you are contemplating a career change, I would encourage you to read 48 Days to the Work You Love and No More Mondays by Dan Miller.  I have been told What Color Is Your Parachute is also a good book but I have not read it myself.