Know

know when to ...

The text of this journal page is about knowing when to stop eating. Know when you are full; know when you are satisfied; know when to stop.

The same applies to working. This is my final week as a full-time professor. My final week of employment. With the exception of time off for two kids and my dissertation (my third child), I've worked full-time since I was about 20. I'd planned to retire last December. My salary, however, kept me going. An additional 4 months of salary was going to make a difference, right? Well, it has and it hasn't. I'm in a slightly better place financially, but only slightly. 

Where I'm in a MUCH better place is KNOWING IT IS TIME. These four months have been a great time for reflection ... a time of renewed commitment to "extra curricular activities." I really wasn't ready in December and I told myself that the money was worth it. Well, I just received notice of a nice raise in salary and in the middle of the night, the nagging question raises it's ugly head - should I stay ... just a little while longer? Is working full-time really that bad? YES, it is! I KNOW now that it is time to stop. At least most of the time I feel confident that I know. 

I suppose it is only natural to question ... to wonder ... to doubt ... when making such a huge step.