Labor Day

I've been away this weekend visiting family. It's been a nice break and a refreshing change of scenery. Texas is great but the long hot summer just wears you down. On top of this I've been going through an intense period at work so a break really has been welcome.

More and more I am asking myself what I'd like to do with my career and life going forward. I guess this a natural part of (almost) being 40 and having a good amount of life experience under my belt now. Corporate life for the most part has been lucrative and interesting but I'm starting to think more regularly about doing something different like starting a franchise or maybe even college teaching. I'll explore these in more detail as things develop but it's the beginning of a process that hopefully leads to something fulfilling. Right now I have a lot more questions than answers.

I've also made a conscious choice to begin asserting myself more. Confrontation and standing up for myself have never been strong suits for me. In the past when I've done what I consider to be standing up for myself, it has led to negative consequences for the most part and this has made me a little scared to do it. What I've started to realize is that I have needs, a valid point of view, and the right to expect to be treated with respect. To expect loyalty in return from those who I give my loyalty. To expect that my needs are met, and if they are not, to change the situation to one where my interests match those of the other person(s) involved. I'm too old for second best at this point. I've also worked too hard to get where I am to tolerate being mistreated by people who are flat out not my equals, or to settle for less than what I need in a variety of aspects. Maybe it sounds selfish and maybe it is.. after all, I have no kids and really very little family other than some close relatives and my partner. Who else is going to look out for me? Seems like I have to look out for #1. What do you think?