I’ve been officially retired for four weeks, and I haven’t accomplished anything that I had planned. I haven’t written much, the junk drawer is junkier than ever, and the jaunt to the Fresno State Library for research purposes is still on the horizon. And…I have no one to blame but myself.

These past four weeks have been pure bliss—rest, relaxation, and taking care of family. But I can’t stop my nagging alter ego telling me that I must do something, I must have a schedule, and I must have something tangible to show for my time. The image of my time is like some old western movie where the Indians are sending smoke signals and puffs of gray smoke are rising to the heavens.

Today, as I sat at my computer, I thought of the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, google it, go to iTunes, or read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). I especially related to verse 1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

All of us have different seasons that we go through, and to our great joy, everyone is different. God is brilliant—he knew that we would need to support each other as we move from season to season. That we could rely on friends who have paved the way for us, so our walk might be easier or help those who may be going through a familiar season in our wake.

We need each other, whether we want to admit that truth or not. We aren’t Super Woman, or Wonder Woman, or any other super human woman. We are flesh and blood women who sometimes need a good friend to talk to.

My epiphany? I refuse to feel guilty for enjoying my first month of freedom. I will write, and do everything I’ve planned to do and more. I choose to believe God has given me this season to make my dreams come true and enjoy my family and friends. Can anyone relate?