As you may have noticed, I've been away from the site for about two months. I am an open book and always share everything, so I thought everyone deserves an explanation as to why...
This post is going to serve as reference so I don't have to repeat myself to everyone who has been very patiently waiting for me to respond to them or for me to take action on something (thank you for your patience and understanding).
Everyone has had many challenges this year (2020). I, especially, have had a really difficult year. I am open about sharing all my personal details, and that will continue in future posts -- but for today, I need your understanding that it is still difficult for me to be in the office or on my laptop and working on the site for any extended length of time.
The simple truth is -- I took the time off because I needed the time off, my body made it quite clear in no uncertain terms! No one person or thing forced me to do it, it was just a combination of everything -- and it wasn't something planned, just something that evolved over time.
It started as just a few days off (an extended weekend). Then that grew into a couple weeks off, with me just making an appearance in the office to update the webinars (one of which from August still needs to be posted, even now). It kept growing as I found myself lacking the energy to do anything -- ultimately two months went by without me even touching my computers.
I am not even sure that today, Friday Sep 25, is going to be my official "I am back 100%" because in all honesty, I may need even more time off again -- I am going to listen to my body. Those of you that know me from the long history on the site fully understand that this is the first real break I've had from the site in over 10 years. The multiple vacations I've taken in the past were vacations from my house, vacations from trading, but not vacations from my job running this community -- that has never happened until now.
I am sure some of you are wondering what can justify two months off at once. Picture someone that is hurting in great physical pain for years, that is also exhausted not just mentally but physically -- not just from pain, but from lack of sleep. That person is me. And one day my body just said "nope".
It wasn't something I could force my way out of or get myself to overcome. Normally, I would push past the pain and do the whole "just one more hour" thing (which often turned into four hours). Or normally I would say to myself "ok, I didn't sleep last night, so I'll just be a few hours late getting to work -- no big deal". But not this time. My body wasn't having it, it told me to just rest and forget nearly everything else.
I'm done putting labels on my various conditions, I'll just say I've been in severe pain for years, and also have chronic sleep problems. Everything hit me really hard all at once forcing me to take time off.
Right now, I am already on "the next new combination of things" that is supposed to help me. And it is, right now. That's good news and I pray it will continue to do so. Thank you very much to everyone who has reached out in concern recently and over the years.
During all this, my wife also got sick for a time, and that was a real blow to the cosmic order of the Universe because my wife is my world - she takes care of me, the household and everything around (our family). So when she is sick, it really is like the world is ending. I am sure there are some husbands out there that can relate to what I mean! It is really a full-time job and then some for her to run the household, especially putting up with me! The tables were turned when she was sick for a bit, thankfully she is better now.
So anyway, no big deal but I am "back" slowly but surely. I also just want to mention that COVID was not involved in any of this (to my knowledge). Thankfully no one in our immediate family has tested positive.