Finding My Why! What is my why? That is the question of the day. I joined this family in January 2019. I was one of the thousands of Federal government employees that were furloughed through no fault of our own. We were pawns in someone else’s game of chess. Which is highly annoying. Although we new we would get paid when we returned to work, no one knew when that was going to happen. In the mean time there is no money. Plus a traditional job wasn’t an option. I needed to be available to return to work as soon as the furlough was over. No one was going to hire me and invest in training when I would be leaving anytime. What to do?
I responded to an online ad for working from home link post blogging. I wasn’t sure what that was but it sounded interesting. Furthermore, it was the perfect fit for my situation. I could set my own hours and I love to write. Furthermore, the cost was minimal and, thankfully, training is provided. I probably know enough about computers to be extremely dangerous. Shortly after joining the furlough was lifted and it was back to work at the “real” job.
Finding My Why…Why Did I Stay?!
I really hadn’t invested much time or money into this effort, so why did I stay? At first, I stayed because it sounded fun. As I mentioned, I love to write and had always dreamed of being a writer. But, my life took a different path so my writing is purely for my enjoyment. This seemed like the perfect way to fulfill that need. Next, I stayed because I found something I didn’t realize I was looking for…family and unconditional love and support. Plus, a way to make my wildest dream come true.
When we were asked to identify our “why” and to write a page, one of the tips we were given to get started was to ask ourselves, “what would I do if I won the lottery?” This isn’t the first time I’ve asked myself that question. I’ve known the answer for a long time. First I would give some to my church and to local charities such as the humane society and the food banks. Next I would set up trust funds for my grandchildren so they could go to college, trade school, travel, or start their own business.
Finding My Why…My Wildest Dream!
But, the ultimate goal is to buy several hundred (or maybe thousands) of acres and start a no-kill animal shelter. This would be a loving, forever home for all unwanted animals. You know the ones. Those that are rescued from the streets, saved from kill-shelters (these should not exist anymore), help out over crowded, no-kill shelters or help anyone that has to surrender their furry family members for any reason. This would be a sanctuary not just the cute, cuddly ones; but, the “ugly,” scary ones such as snakes, lizards and tarantulas as well. Personally, I would never have one of the “ugly” ones as a pet; but, I do find them fascinating and like to watch them.
Like many other members of the RRR247 family, I grew up in an abusive, alcoholic home. While the abuse was primarily emotional and not physical, it was still extremely painful. One of my father’s favorite “tortures” was to give my pets away or to threaten to take them and have them put to sleep. Thus, I find it much easier to relate to animals than I do humans. I currently have two rescue dogs and two rescue cats and I donate to as many local animal welfare charities as I can afford. But, I want to do more!!! There shouldn’t be any unwanted, unloved, abandoned or abused animals any where in the world. I want to give them a place to live where they are safe and have unlimited, unconditional love for as long as they live!!!
Now I have Another Why…
Finding my why recently took another turn. On April 12 my husband suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax (aka collapsed lung). We didn’t know there was such a thing. In addition to having Parkinson’s Disease, we knew he had lung issues. He smoked for 20 years and even though he quit over 20 year ago, the damage was done. Plus, he was in the Air Force for 8 years flying in and out of various places while serving as a Load Master on a C130.
After leaving the military, he became a wildland fire fighter and worked in this field in some capacity either in camp on the fire line or in the warehouse with chemicals and seeds. No matter which, he was exposed to high levels of smoke and other toxins on top of the smoking. Consequently, his lungs are damaged and he has emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). He has been on oxygen for a few years and has been using a walker for the last year.
Finding my Although we have talked about adding on and remodeling our home it is now become a must do because of my husbands health issues. He’s still pretty self sufficient and tries to help out around the house as much as possible. We already have some assistance devices in the bathroom due to my clumsiness (a broken ankle and a broken foot (not at the same time, thank goodness)). But, there are still a lot of improvements we can do that will make his life safer and easier. And, decrease my stress levels!!!
FINDING MY WHY…I DESERVE THIS LIFESTYLE!!!
From a financial or economic standpoint, it probably makes more sense to build a new house and start from scratch. However, from an emotional standpoint, that isn’t an option. We built our house in 1996 using sweat equity. My husband and I, my two sisters, my parents, and a few close friends did 90{6240f97e29b4159de6ff78317e10f820a7e2f517694b3d1c4628c71d0a3ac8d8} of the work. We literally built our house so we really don’t want to go anywhere else. Furthermore, my father passed away about a year after we moved in and a dear friend that helped us passed away about a year after that. So, we want to make improvements to this home so we can stay here together or as long as possible! At least another 20 or 30 years!!!
With this amazing opportunity, I see these improvements to our home as a real possibility without going into debt with a second mortgage or having to complete it bit-by-bit so we can afford it without financial assistance.
Although I’ve struggled a bit to get going, I know this works. This is evident every week on the training calls and on the Skype and Facebook posts. I plan on staying and have the confidence this will work out for me when it is supposed to all according to my Higher Power’s plan. I know I deserve the life this opportunity can give to me and my family!!!