Have you ever had a time in your life when you knew exactly what you wanted and were totally and completely focused on getting it? What if that something could only be accomplished if something else actually took place first? What if you just kept trekking along on your designated path to your goal, but that goal always seemed a little out of reach? However, with full certainty you wholeheartedly believe the end result will be everything you dreamed so you are immobilized from deviating from your current path.
2012 was that year for us…the year of the golden handcuffs. For us, it came in the form of a job opportunity for my husband. It required us to make some huge changes in our lives including another move across the ocean and a venture into homeschooling for the kids and I. It also meant once again walking away from our small Texas community, a place which has always provided our family with a great education for our children and fed us spiritually. Our reason for this new chapter in our life was to bring our close-knit family of four back together after living with an ocean between us for over a year. It seemed the heartache of missing each other was in constant conflict with the warm fuzzy feeling of being surrounded by friends, teachers, and a parish community who showed us endless support. So…we maintain our current path with golden handcuffs securely fastened, in the hopes that the pay off will be worth it, with immense gratitude we have a job in today’s market, and full hearts to be together.
Yet, I can’t help but think of all the other aspects in our lives where we find ourselves in golden handcuffs. The New Year always brings with it the resolve to live a healthier life and so many of us enthusiastically take the path and willingly place our hands in the golden handcuffs of a vision of a thinner, fitter, body. We often welcome the golden handcuffs of all the climb up that corporate ladder promises. And relationships often provide the ultimate golden handcuffs…especially when we are in desperate search of that fairy tale romance and the happily ever after we so often crave.
Golden handcuffs can represent an impetus for a better future, motivation to better ourselves and our situation. Golden handcuffs can also become a restriction, an obstruction of progress, and ultimately the one thing keeping us from our true destiny.
What are your golden handcuffs? Do you see them as a positive or a negative?
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My golden handcuffs would have to be my past. But since it’s a NEW year, I’m chucking those suckers as far away from me as possible. Looking forward to a fresh start. Happy New Year, Leonore! May 2013 be filled with all things GOOD for you and your family!
My sweet Anka, so glad to hear you’ll be leaving that past behind and only taking the lessons with you into 2013. If what I see of you right here, right now is any indication of the true you, then the future is brighter with you in it! Looking forward to sharing our stories in 2013. Happy New Year Cyber Soul Sister!
I’m handcuffed to a job that I is draining me in every way possible. I hope to change that soon…
Been there done that and can feel your pain. We do what we have to do though to get where we want to be right…golden handcuffs and all. 😉 I wish you much luck in finding a job that doesn’t feel like a job and at the end of the day makes you a better person overall. Happy New Year my friend! Hope 2013 is your year!
Thanks, I appreciate that. Happy New Year! And congrats again on your publishing deal!
My husband’s job. It is a mixed blessing. On one hand, if he hadn’t found it, we would be in pretty dire straits. He is welcome and appreciated there, and he has confidence that I have never seen before. On the other hand, it is an hour away. It really restricts us when we want to participate in work related things-he works at a very family oriented company. Eventually we hope to move closer, but it won’t be possible for a few years, unless I find a full time job so we can get caught up on things!
I know exactly what it’s like to be appreciative of the hubby having a job and a good one at that! It’s all the other stuff we would love to tweak to our preferences that are harder to accept and adjust to, but hang in there and keep focusing on the positives! It’s the only way to go! 😉
Definitely a positive. Glad you found yours!
They are best when they are positive…in my humble opinion. Thank you and Happy New Year to you!
I am going to have to think about this one for a while.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too my friend!