Today is somewhat challenging but I'm trying to make the best of it.  My wife and daughter are headed to Las Vegas for a work conference and this is my daughter's first time on an airplane.  I had been looking forward to this trip for over a year as my wife and I had a number of plans for our stay and were even going to stay some extra days.  Unfortunately with my severe anxiety issues, I was strongly advised to take a leave of absence from work and as such I'm not able to attend the event.  It's bitter sweet but probably a blessing in disguise as I don't know how my claustrophia would impact me while being on a airplane, in a crowded airport, or even dealing with the likely large crowds in Las Vegas.

 So I'm using this time to really focus on me and stay busy.  The idea is to not focus on any of the negative but to use this time alone to the fulliest to accomplish a number of things around the house, enjoy movies that my family does not like to watch, and to visit places I enjoy (even if it is by myself).  

Much of this time away from work and now time away from family is really helping me set my perspective and the need to slow down my life.  For 26 years, I gave my company everything I had and at times it has almost cost me everything (including my life).  So now it's time to focus more on me and my life rather than throw everything I have into the company and job as that has really led me to where I am today and there has to be a course correction.