By Teresa Cavaliere
West Palm Beach, FL, USA

Teresa Cavaliere (credit: Joseph J. Bucheck III)

I’ve always welcomed change as a new beginning. Why should now be any different? Sure I have two children I’m responsible for. All the more reason why this is a great life lessons for them.

This past winter, I played the CD book version of "Who Moved My Cheese” for an entire week when driving my kids to school. It was funny and it became a thing! We would get in the car and the first words out of their mouths were, “WHO MOVED MY CHEESE,” and we would all laugh. It was hilarious listening to them decide which character suited each of us more. I was the one who went out to look for the cheese because if you don't leave your own backyard, how are you going to find the cheese (start over)?

I grew up, as so many of my generation did, working hard, paying my bills, and being responsible. Never give up! Fast-forward to my life today. After two and one half years, I’m still paying on a temporary mortgage modification, not certain when it will be finalized, if ever. I’ve been living with a 24/7 sinking feeling that the bank will turn around and say, "Sorry, but your time is up.”

So when do you know it’s time to start over? It’s not like I've never started over before. Looking at the big picture of my life, I’ve started over and over and over.

This time, I’ve been hanging on for my family believing that if I didn’t hold onto my house, it would, in some way, ruin us. At the same time, I kept teaching my children never to give up and to keep fighting for what you have. Isn’t it just as important to teach our children when you should let go?

It’s been an horrendous four years. I LEARNED SO MUCH, and so have my children. I am not perfect in their eyes, but they do look up to me for guidance. So why not make even the most awful times into a LIFE LESSON for them?

I guess it all boils down to attachments, whether it is a home, a bad relationship, a marriage, or your favorite pair of jeans. When do you let go? The time is now! I'm going to take my last chance at salvation and put my house on the market, be it sold for a good price and a profit (if that’s possible in today’s market) or a short sale to prevent a foreclosure hanging over my credit score (not that my credit hasn't been tarnished already). My goal is to come out of this as clean as can be expected and to get a fresh start for me and for my children. So yea, that’s what I'm doing. I've got a plan!

1. Put the house up for sale (let go!);
2. Pack, sell, (and if I have to) store personal belongings;
3. Find an apartment (starting over);
4. Move on with my life (looking forward instead of looking backward).

As humans, we just can’t seem to let go. But, sometimes it is the right thing to do. Let go and give yourself another chance. IT'S OK! I'm starting over!

Teresa Cavaliere is on the frontlines of today’s America and reports on the curves life throws at her.