Last week I took the plunge and told my boss I’m going to retire at the end of this year. I was planning to hang on a bit longer but something happened. I took my Mum to see the Soweto Gospel Choir perform and as the lights dimmed and these smiling, singing, dancing, joyous people began to perform I started to cry. Tears slowly rolled down my face in the dark as they sang their hearts out in time with the rythmic percussion, their very individual voices somehow blended into a wonderful, harmonious whole. They sang with gusto, their smiles lit up the stage and I kept crying. Somewhere around the end of the second song I asked myself why I was crying. As the third started I had the answer. I wanted to be truly happy like these singers. I wanted to leave behind the petty politics, the continual stress, the daily grind of the workplace and give myself over to a different life, a life that will give me less money to spend on things I don’t really need and more time to spend on people I love and creative projects that make me happy.
I would like to take every donwnhearted, sad and weight conscious girl in the universe to this concert so they could see an outstanding example of a very large, very happy woman who has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, dancing up a storm, singing with passion and joy and obviously loving and being loved by the diverse men and women she shared the stage with. Every member of this choir has a unique voice, body shape, smile, and personality. They have BIG voices and really different singing styles yet they are able to happily and successfully bring those voices together to make joyful, uplifting and harmonious music. I left this concert wanting to dance, to sing , to paint, to read, to swim , to go for walks with my husband, to visit my sister, to help someone who needs my time now, to be cheerful, to count the minutes less, to eat better, to write more, to buy less, to live a new life!
So a big thank you to the Soweto Gospel Choir for a joyous musical feast that sparked a life changing decision.
Lindy Whitton Studio 
I second all of that except I was smiling instead of crying and didn’t need to retire! A great night and thank you again!
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It was a good night wasn’t it! Thanks for the company – it’s always nice to share the good times withsomeone you love .
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Wow……to the very depths of me I say YES! for you! life is too short, you have to follow your heart and happiness. Love this post, looking forward to hearing about your journey. 🙂
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thank you margaret – I will fill you in as it all unfolds!
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It’s strange, or possibly entirely unstrange, how life presents things to make us face up to decisions that have been outstanding for some time. I am heartened to hear that you have decided you will be stepping off the treadmill and pursuing a life full of new opportunities however modest they may seem but which in fact represent the richest of riches in my little opinion. Bon retraite à vous when it comes around and may you enjoy many many years.
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The treadmill will stop on 1st Jan 2017 – and i will be carefull not to build myself a whole new one out of differnet committments , responsibilities and deadlines. I know that’s a real possibiliity so i will be watchful! Thansk for your good wishes!
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Wow, guess I should have gone to see them too. Glad it let you see clearly what it is you want to do now. Love you Sis.
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Yes – who kmows what revelations you might have had! Love you right back x0x
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I fully understand your decision. I got to the point where I just couldn’t take the stasis in my life anymore, and I retired. There’s no guarantee that I won’t be forced back into the work world in the future, but for now I’m seizing the day. I hope you are able to do the same…
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Thanks Brian. There comes a time when it’s more about life quality and if you have enough for shelter, food and safety money isn’t that big a factor.. I will seize the day and the months and the years!
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Amazing that it takes a moment to help you see what the really important things are.wish I had heard that choir..good luck in retirement, Lindy..i am happy for you.
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Thanks A. Net! Every day at work just confirms what a right decision it is. So looking forward to the new year.
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Hi Lindy, just came across your review/post about SGC–I run SowetoGospelFans.com and would love to share your review on our website. Do let me know if that’s ok! elaine[at]sowetogospelfans[dot]com
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That would be fine. I really enjoyed the performance!
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