Hi friends! HAPPY THURSDAY!

Friday cannot come soon enough — it has definitely been one of those weeks! But I don’t want to bog you down with my complaints~ Instead I have something to celebrate!

My mom finished her last day of school this week. Ever. Yep, she’s entering the lovely years of retirement — oh how I long for those days…

For the past 35 years, my mom has been teaching and this year, she’ll say goodbye to her lesson plans, her familiar hallways and messy classroom. I couldn’t be more proud of her. Trust me when I say that my mom is a phenomenal teacher. From notes from parents (and grandparents!), high praise from other teachers and adoring love from all her students, my mom has touched the lives of so many people over the years.

But with this departure of her current job comes the opportunity for new ventures! It is NEVER too late to reinvent you life, discover new passions and develop interests and hobbies. I am so excited for her.

But she’s not the only one who has the opportunity to try new things! The world is our oyster, people! And this week, I’m thankful for new opportunities. With summer, often comes extra time (must be all that time you used to spend watching TV) and is a great time to develop your inner self. You know, what do you like to do? What have you always wanted to try? A cooking class? Martial arts? Ballroom dancing? Gardening? Where have you always wanted to go? New restaurants? Road trips? Uncovered beaches? What do you want to read? The latest hot novel? A touching memoir? Artsy poetry?

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

Stop waiting for tomorrow or next year. The moment is now. Forget work, forget obligations (for a moment). Anything can be scaled back to something simple. Want to take a cooking class but don’t have the money or time? Research some recipes and techniques online and take one day a month to make something special for your family. See how easy this is? YOUR TURN!

Again, congratulations to my wonderful mother, who has touched so many with her contagious spirit, passion for learning and zest for life. I know this is only the beginning of her accomplished, gratifying life. And you — what are you waiting for? What new opportunies are you planning for yourself?