Autumn Glory
~
alive with color
nature’s beauty on display
the glory of fall
~
I wanted to update friends and followers on my life plans.
After a long and stressful hunt for a new place to live, I’ve decided to stay where I am. I will be moving downstairs and sharing the space with the landlord part of the time. We’re going to flex according to whether there are Airbnb guests staying upstairs. When the upstairs is rented, we’ll share downstairs. When it’s not, she will be upstairs and I will be downstairs. So I will have my own space some of the time. This isn’t ideal, but compared to what I was finding with short notice, I decided it’s my best option and I don’t have to move or change my address again!
Similarly, I’ve decided to stay at my current job for as long as I can stand it. I still don’t really like it, but I’m acclimating to the standing, taking lots of breaks, and appreciating the hours and steady income that allows me to save money each month. I’m tentatively planning to stay with the job and room until next May when I turn 62 and am eligible to start collecting Social Security. I have to explore the details to see if it’s a good choice, but I’m thinking I could scale back to part-time work or maybe try to live super simple. Or it might be time to try some travel on a budget.
The next few months will give me a chance to let these ideas gestate and see what is calling me for the next steps. The image is from a few years ago in my old neighborhood. We still haven’t seen many signs of fall this year. So far, it’s still hot and dry, with mostly green and a few brown leaves falling.
Thanks for caring and supporting me. I’m very grateful for the connections made here on WordPress. Many times your care has helped me weather the storms of life.
Hugs and Stuff!
This feels like a good plan for you, Brad. Flexible and not disruptive. Wrapping you in warm hugs. Xx
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Thank you very much Jane. Hugs on the rebound. 🙂
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Love the poem.
Brad, your plan sounds well thought out. I truly hope these next couple of months work out for you.
Your living arrangement plan and the steady income should help. I hope you find happiness and peace.
And i wish you a ton of success. I believe social security now permits people to work part time. So you may have to research that to make sure you stay within their limits.
Wish you all the best. You are a kind inspiring soul who deserves all the very best.
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Thank you Drew. Yes, having a home base is critical. Hopefully, that and the steady income will allow me to rest, rebuild, and clarify the next steps. I’m in awe of all the big changes you have made. Kudos and thanks for your friendship, support, and good example.
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You will do it too. I know you will.
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So many changes and transitions for some of us even in the autumn of our lives. It sounds like you have a good plan, and a great attitude. Wishing you all the best!
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Thank you Deborah. I love your analogy of this being the autumn of our lives. Maybe I can allow the flow of seasons.
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this does feel like a supportive route to take brad all around. i’m glad you came to a resolution for now and have found ways to create balance with what is here currently while things percolate. not having to rush or force anything i feel will create more alignment with natural evolution of things, just as the seasons are taking their time to transition, but think nothing of it. it’s inevitable change will come, but no need to make it happen faster than is necessary. this interim phase is a step forward that feels to be helping to make the transitions more gentle and allow the rooting of new to anchor more solidly. hugs and stuff back at you! i love that you said that kindred spirit!
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Thank you Tania. I certainly hope this time becomes one of percolating, clarifying, and unfolding the way forward. Thank you for your lovely words, support, and friendship. ❤
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i won’t give up hope ❤ you're welcome. i'm grateful for you and am always here ❤
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Yay! ☺️✨❤️
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and weeee and stuff!!
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LOL!
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hehe 😉
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Thanks for the smiles. 🙂
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ditto 😉
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That’s a lovely shot of an Autumn past, Brad! Glad to hear that you’ve settled on a temporary living (and working) arrangement for now. Trust that when a change is meant to occur, doors will open for you. Wishing you a beautiful day and great weekend ahead! 🙂
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Thanks Julie. I appreciate the reminder to trust doors will open. I’m worn out from pushing, struggling, and trying to make things happen. 🙂
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Beautiful photo and poem. Glad things are working out.
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Thank you. Me too. At least I have a base and a plan to work from.
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My name is Nico or Nicodemas. 😊
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I’m sorry Nico. I was thinking of a similar blog name.
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That’s ok! Peace my friend and blessings.
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Thank you.
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Good luck to you Brad as you continue your journey.
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Thank you Len.
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Hang in there Brad….Out of all bad comes good and in the end I feel something will show itself to you and this stretch of time will have been worth it! Deep breaths! Take care Brad and enjoy the fall…. VK 🙂
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Good suggestions. Thanks VK! 🙂
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What a beautiful image and your words to go with it! I send you my best wishes of ease and joy through your navigation to clarity. It all unfolds perfectly – that’s my personal theme that I am trusting. I agree with you about connections made here – they are so precious in how they support us. I feel like I have arrived back home after a long unintended break and so very happy to be back, to be in touch with all those who keep the spark lit – including you.
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Thank you so much Pragalbha for including me in that circle of support. I’m hoping to follow your great example of trusting, allowing, and flowing more. blessings, Brad
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The way your writing dances with your photography is pure magic! Happy Fall Brad :)))
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Thank you Andrea. I appreciate you and your kind words. Happy Autumn!
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🍂🧡🧡
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This plan makes sense and feels right for now. I’m glad you don’t have to move until you’re ready. When you’re ready to travel, maybe there’s a way to make money from your photography and writing, like a travel blog. I don’t know much about how that works, but maybe it has to do with writing about places you stay. Anyway, take good care of you. When the time is right, the next steps will become clear. Sending hugs and warm thoughts.
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Thank you for the kind words and wished JoAnna. I would love to be a travel blogger, but not sure how to make that happen either. It seems to be a crowded and popular venue. blessings,
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Gosh, you don’t look 61 Brad. I am glad you have made some life decisions, it is always freeing. I love your haiku. I haven’t shared this one as your post is more personal in nature. Hugs.
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Thank you Robbie. I’ve always looked younger than my years, and yes it feels good to make some decisions. Hugs and stuff…
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Good luck, Brad! Beautiful autumn colours in your photo and a lovely haiku.
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Thanks on all accounts Irina.
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My pleasure. ❤
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Isn’t it beautiful to have the support!!
Number one…never thought you were 62…not that 62 is old mind you (I am climbing towards it) it’s just your photos look like a much younger man! I am happy that you have found peace with your decision. I think so many times it is when we don’t know what to do that we feel so much stress. Sometimes it is better to make a CHOICE and live with it. The beautiful thing about choices is we don’t have to make them etched in stone. But the mind…body and spirit feel more secure when a choice has been made.
Sweet Blessings, Brad. Hope you have a great week!
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Agreed on making choices Lorrie. I’ve come to see that choices don’t matter as much as how we respond. Thanks for being part of my precious support. Hugs and blessings.
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I like that, Brad! It IS how we respond! And it is my pleasure to be in your tribe 😉 Have a great week!
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Thanks Lorrie!
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Seems like you are in a flexible place, Brad. You have a lot of opportunity and also the stability for now as long as you want or need it. Who knows what will take root or how, exactly, but you are on solid ground. Lots of health, too. How wonderful!
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Thanks Ka. Yes I’m in a good place to ponder my options. 🙂
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Wish you the best Brad. The best is yet to come. Dream big!! 🌝⭐️
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Thank you Bernice. 🙂
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I’m glad you’ve come to a resolution Brad, even if it doesn’t feel like the greatest solution at the moment. Hopefully this period is where you’re meant to be before you move on to something better for you.
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Thank you Andrea. I’m accepting it as my best choice in the moment and seeing where it leads.
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I think it’s wonderful that you have some time to think further about your future plans, Brad. Making changes before your ready for them is so stressful. This gives you time to weigh options, and who knows what will appear on the horizon. Beautiful photo and haiku. That time to enjoy this glorious season. ❤
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Agreed Diana. I’m ready to relax awhile and let things be and percolate.. I’ve been in high gear for the last several months. And I would like to allow my next steps to unfold.
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Sounds perfect.
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Superb picture of autumn and a lovely poem, Brad. So nice to be hearing your story and what u want to do with the way your life unfolds. We are all here your blogger friends who r sending u lots of love and hugs. Stay connected.
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Thank you for the kind words and support Kamal. I’m excited to see how things unfold.
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Welcome 😊😊 😊 always dear Brad and yes it will all fall beautifully if u flow with every day as it comes. God bless 🙏 🙏🙏
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Things will unfold for you as you take the right approach. Sitting on a decision and letting it “gestate” is a great idea! You will be led in the correct direction and kept on your path….I truly believe that as you allow the direction to come to you and not force your will on it. My best to you….keep after it!
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Thank you Kirt. It is my sincere hope and plan to allow the steps to unfold.
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Yes. We support each other. I like your approach.
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Thanks Cynthia. I’m delighted to know you.
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Sometimes the new place is the old place. You’re thinking things through, and researching options — and that’s good. Autumn is indeed glorious. Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks Teagan. You’re getting philosophical. 🙂
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Lovely to read of your decisions brad, I’m sure it’ll all work out and your next steps next year will all unfold easily. The trick is to embrace all circumstances and enjoy life knowing your life is unfolding most perfectly❤️ Much love x
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I appreciate your faith in me Barbara. I hope I can keep the faith too, and yes, to embrace what is, allowing life to unfold. Hugs….
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Thanks for the update, Brad. You’ve made thoughtful small changes that will help while you percolate some more. Breathing in every day helps with the percolating. Meditating and taking yourself out of the equation sometimes helps too (at least it helps me). Even 10 minutes of meditation can give me a different perspective of “life.” Right now outside my window, life is once again proving to me that nothing stays still. The glorious green of the trees has changed to orange and red and yellow and as much as I want to shout to them “STOP” they won’t. They can’t. They will drop and leave us soon (no pun intended), but thankfully, we can depend on them returning in bud-form in six months. (Oh dear, I’m getting too introspective.) ;-0 🙂
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Agreed Pam. Life marches on. It’s best to roll with in. Breath in, breath out… 🙂
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Beautiful colors. We don’t see these fall colors outside in Florida. I have to buy silk foliage, place it in my house to remind me it really is fall.
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Thanks Lisa and welcome. Nice solution with the silk fall foliage. Brad
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You do what you have to. 😉
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It must be a good feeling to have made your decisions. Way to go.
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Yes it does feel good. Thanks Ali.
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Give yourself credit for making a plan. Lovely fall photo by the way.
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Thanks, I am.
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Your autumn is looking incredible ~ and what I like best about this season, is it is made for contemplation. The rush/excitement of summer has passed, and now you can sit and watch the turning of the leaves, feel the soft breezes of the fall, and dream. Perhaps get a bit nostalgic.
It is great to hear you made a decision, and the plan is a good one. Makes perfect sense, and also allows for adaptation in the future if needed. Being frustrated with work is not ideal ~ so it may be worth finding an idea or area where the company may have some issues and push a positive agenda …in my experience two things can happen: you get fired, or you’ve created a new position to create/control 🙂 You’ve got a huge support group behind you here 🙂 Cheers to your week ahead!
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Thanks Randall. Yes, autumn can be a great time for slowing, appreciating, and contemplating. Interesting tip on the job, although I’m not sure how I might do that with my entry-level sales role. Meanwhile, I’m glad to have a decision, rough plan, and time to see what other choices I might have. Happy Autumn.
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For some reason, autumn is always a bit wistful because of the end of summer, but it is this very quality which makes me love it so… it is as if I am suppose to kickback, think about life and be a little lazy 🙂 Cheers!
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Yes, I feel much the same about autumn. 🙂
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Sounds like a solid plan. Nice to read a new blog and something really refreshing. Good to meet you! Katie
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Thank you Katie and welcome. I’ve just enjoyed a pop over to your blog. Nice to meet you too.
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This sounds like a plan Brad… and good to be catching up with you again my friend.. I am pleased you are finding solutions and also seeing there is a light at the end of the road too… Good to see you and be catching up again ❤
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Thank you Sue. I’m delighted to have you and your loving presence back. And yes I feel good to have a plan.
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Thank YOU dear Brad 😁
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You’re most welcome.
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best of luck!
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Thanks Lauren.
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