Full Text:

Finding Fulfillment Outside The Workplace

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Melody Edmondson was a highly-successful member of the fashion industry when a

bout with stress-related epilepsy forced her to retire at age 32. For so long,

she had been completely wrapped up in her career. Without her work, she began

to lose her identity.

In time, however, the Newtown resident discovered a whole new life for herself

-- one that brought back the fulfillment she had once received from her job.

"I had to find whole new source of joy. I had to find other potentialities,"

she said., "As human beings, we are resourceful. Everyone is multi-faceted. We

have talents that are often held dormant because we are often so busy with

only one part of ourselves."

Since her retirement, she has become a successful abstract expressionistic

artist, as well as an author.

Now 46, Mrs Edmondson is helping people discover the joys of life (other than

work) in her recently-released book, Disconnecting from the Workplace .

As the author points out, this is not a book just for those who retire early.

It is for anyone who seeks a more balanced life. It is for anyone who has

trouble finding time to have fun. Maybe you are a mother experiencing "the

empty nest syndrome," or maybe you recently lost your spouse or were phased

out of your job.

"You can create a whole new life for yourself. You can experience your life in

a different way. I have designed a road map of how to do this -- how to make

the life that you have work," the author explained.

As Mrs Edmondson points out, we often bury ourselves in our work, putting off

the things we really want to do for a later date. The book gives suggestions

on how to find the time and the energy to bring those joys back into your life

today. It's called intentional living.

"Why not say to ourselves, `let's have a great life now.' If you have an

intention, your mental energy and physical energy will follow. You will create

into your life exactly what you're intending to do," she said.

For those who have suddenly become disabled and can no longer work,

Disconnecting from the Workplace helps them take an inner journey to discover

all of the other potentials they have as human beings.

The author called her self-published book both uplifting and inspirational as

she shares her most personal experiences.

Of course, by helping people find time for the fun things in life, the author

said she is in no way fostering mediocrity.

"I'm saying, deliver the goods, be good at what you do, but allow yourself the

opportunity to have a full and rich life and avoid burnout," she explained.

The book is currently on sale at the Book Review in Newtown and Southbury, as

well as Encore Books in Ridgefield.