Posted: 6/2/2013 3:22:38 AM EDT
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Anyone ever just have a conversation or an experience that made you change the way you were living or your life goals.
Not talking about women or surprise babies, but just a sudden need to follow a new direction in life? Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort. |
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I didn't have a specific conversation or experience. But I sure as hell have been thinking about some drastic changes for the past few months. Just not sure what direction to go, or where to start.  Same here. Friends keep telling me I need to find a good woman and start a family, with the you'd make a great dad bull. Misery loves company and I know that is not the answer. I think warm weather, salt breezes, clear water, and foreign women is where happiness awaits. 
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I wouldn't say sudden, but in the last few years I've become very frugal with my money, eventhough people already said I was cheap before this change.
Some people really enjoy a new BMW or a vacation condo as part of life, and that's their choice, but I feel I'm fortunate in that my idea of guilty luxury is having breakfast out at a diner instead of cooking it myself, and a nice day off is a long bike ride on a 15 year old bike. |
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I think that periodically you reach "crossroads" points in your life. Sometimes you're aware of them, sometimes not.
I'm 40 something, so I've had a couple in my life. There's a difference, I think, in those points. I don't know if I'll do a good job explaining my perspective on this, because it's been more of a gut impression than something I've devoted a lot of thought to, but here goes. Sometimes there are decisions about what you "do" and the long-lasting impact. Sometimes there are decisions that change your perspective or reveal something to you about your values. I think the second type are more profound and long-lasting. These are the ones you need to think through so you make decisions consistent with your values (whatever they are). I don't know if the above is helpful (or even relevant to your question), but it's all I got before I go full-blown fortune cookie speak on you. |
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I had some momentary realizations that caused me to make drastic and sudden moves with no plans. It was hard but it was beneficial everytime.
Been debating another bail for a few months (longer than I ever have before). The VAST MAJORITY of people are not prepared for just leaving their life. The prospect may seem romantic and wonderful, but consider the practical aspects and know that you may have to dig deep to make it work. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I didn't have a specific conversation or experience. But I sure as hell have been thinking about some drastic changes for the past few months. Just not sure what direction to go, or where to start. Same here. Friends keep telling me I need to find a good woman and start a family, with the you'd make a great dad bull. Misery loves company and I know that is not the answer. I think warm weather, salt breezes, clear water, and foreign women is where happiness awaits. Go for it. You only live once, and the best advice I've ever heard is from the great Joseph Campbell. "Follow Your Bliss." In fact, if you've never read his books, this would be a good time to start. |
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Now that 2 of my 3 kids are pretty much raised, and the youngest is a senior in High School, I've gotten to the point where it is time to start doing a few things for me.
I've been working 50-70+ hour weeks for 20-something years and never had the benefit of my overtime earnings.....that has changed. No more cheap shoes, I'm sporting Nike running shoes from now on. Started my own checking account and I put my overtime money in there for my own uses, no more bitching from the sammich maker about me paying the hunting lease, etc out of the household account. My 40-hour week is more than sufficient to pay the remaining bills ( Her car is paid off, too), and she works as well. Buying myself a brand-new ATV in August, paid my truck off early using overtime money ( this would have never happened if the wife continued making the payments). My retirement is set, been with the company going on 26 years, have a pension coming and have a 457(b) with a nice sum of money in it. I'm retiring in a little over 4 years at age 52, Going to enjoy some of my easy years at work by spending some of the extra money I make on me. |
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I've been thinking that I need to simplify my life. I own too much shit, buy too much shit & am too wasteful.  This was a big thing for me. I had a bigger house, nicer car, and more guns when I was in college than I do now. As much as I support the 2nd, I'm just not that into shooting anymore. I have a Walther PPS and that's it at this point. I wouldn't even carry that if where I live wasn't such a shit show. I've been trying to throw away old clothes and things I know I'll never use, but my family gives me shit that my house looks empty. I even have toyed with idea of getting rid of my bed and sleeping in a hammock suspended between two eye bolts in the studs.
Also getting rid of my truck next March and getting either a used smart car or used Toyota Yaris since I can walk to work, the bar, and the grocery store. Company has a full-size van if I need to haul something, and my dad has a fullsize pickup if I need to get mulch or something of that nature. At that point I'll be putting 3/4 of my paycheck a month into savings. Quoted:
I had some momentary realizations that caused me to make drastic and sudden moves with no plans. It was hard but it was beneficial everytime. Been debating another bail for a few months (longer than I ever have before). The VAST MAJORITY of people are not prepared for just leaving their life. The prospect may seem romantic and wonderful, but consider the practical aspects and know that you may have to dig deep to make it work. I can understand that. Once you have kids, a wife, or even a house, it is hard to walk away from it all to chase a dream. Nothing wrong with having responsibilities, I just don't have any intentions of being a slave to the system for the rest of my life. Only get one shot on this rock, and I plan to live a life worth living. |
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while I am a cowboy I have a fond respect for the indian who depending on the weather / hunting packed up his tee pee on his horse and wifes back and moved on to the next prime location of life (his parents old folks home was that they didn't follow). Mean while we pour our concrete foundation, fence it in and spend the best years of our lives trying to pay for it and guard it.
If we did 1/1,000,000th of what God called us to do we could move mountains. |
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Yes.
I was 20 and enrolled in Paramedic school. I was two weeks away from starting the first semester, already had the prerequisites done, and was all geared up to go. I had been working full time as an EMT for 2 years already. I sat down with an advisor, my super cool anatomy teacher, and he asked me one question, "where do you see yourself in 5 years". I didn't know, and he suggested I drop out of the Paramedic program and go to nursing school instead. For some reason, his advice hit home, and I did just that. I cancelled my Paramedic classes and beefed up my sciences over the next year and got accepted into nursing school after only applying to one school. Fast forward ten years... I'm very happy in my career, I'm a nurse leader and educator, I own a nice home and have a fantastic family because I met my wife two months into my two years at nursing school. I make plenty of money, something Medics have a hard time doing, and I am secure in my job. One conversation did change my life. |
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Anyone ever just have a conversation or an experience that made you change the way you were living or your life goals. Not talking about women or surprise babies, but just a sudden need to follow a new direction in life? Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort. Many epiphanys in my life. Too many to list here. One of the guys I went to engineering school with decided when he graduated that he wanted no parts of the rat race. He lives on a small sailboat moared outside a marina (no slip fee) and takes a dingy to use their shower. he works handy man jobs about 2 months a year and the rest of the year he sails up and down the east coast enjoying life on the cheap and down to the keys in the winter. He was definitely smarter than the rest of us. He is in his early 50's now. 
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Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort.
I'd LOVE to have someone show me the ropes on that! |
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My change came from one view on the tv. A navy kid had been kidnapped/hi-jacked at a stop & rob in Denbigh Va. The two savages had him drive to a bank for money withdrawal. The look on the kids face from the ATM camera was pitiful, I felt so sorry for him and outraged at the animals. They drove him to Smithfield where they shot him, ran over him with his car and then set him on fire. They caught them both, they were underage but tried as adults.
At that point in time I made a decision to get out, completely away from the cities. Parted ways with a girl (just close friends) and left very good friends behind, I mean really good friends. I loved my job but I could not get that mental image out of my head of that kid. I live and work in the country now, hate the job, but I've never looked back at that decision. It completely changed my life and the way I was living. |
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My change came from one view on the tv. A navy kid had been kidnapped/hi-jacked at a stop & rob in Denbigh Va. The two savages had him drive to a bank for money withdrawal. The look on the kids face from the ATM camera was pitiful, I felt so sorry for him and outraged at the animals. They drove him to Smithfield where they shot him, ran over him with his car and then set him on fire. They caught them both, they were underage but tried as adults. At that point in time I made a decision to get out, completely away from the cities. Parted ways with a girl (just close friends) and left very good friends behind, I mean really good friends. I loved my job but I could not get that mental image out of my head of that kid. I live and work in the country now, hate the job, but I've never looked back at that decision. It completely changed my life and the way I was living. Hampton is turning into Portsmouth, 5 shot last week at the Coliseum Carnival, the kid in Hampton who got killed at the ATM a few years ago lived around the corner from me, and they've had a carjacking and armed robbery within a block of me in the last month. This whole region is fucked. I mean seriously fucked! Quoted:
boats suck and so does the ocean but I see where you're going with this I would be happy with a very simple life, too bad about that food and shelter costing money thing Dude you must be a blast at parties.
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How about a heart attack? My life changed in a matter of hours...is that sudden enough?
Not only am I eating well, but I've eliminated as much stress in my life as possible. No more dealing with assholes that irritate me, no more fretting about stuff that used to get under my skin, and no more worrying about things that I have no control over. My life now is one big adventure...what happens happens. 
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Quoted: Anyone ever just have a conversation or an experience that made you change the way you were living or your life goals. Not talking about women or surprise babies, but just a sudden need to follow a new direction in life? Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort. It change my entire outlook on life and the world. I am a totally different person because of Joseph Campbell.
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When I was n my late 20's I was working at a law school. There was a professor there who had an office across the hall from me, he worked in the clinic representing people who could not afford an attorney. We got along just fine, waved at each other and all that in the hall. Then he got sick with cancer. He spent over a year fighting it hard. I got to know him better during this time. I learned that he was truly a good and selfless man who existed to help others. He never expected a reward for his good deeds. He worked to help others up to the point where he physically could not. The way he lived his life, and the strength and grace that he showed during his illness inspired me. I thought there were no truly good people in this world, he showed me through his life, and death, that I was wrong. I reevaluated my life, and decided that I wanted to try to help people, to try to balance out all the bad in this world. So I enrolled in law school and I do just that now.
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I didn't have a specific conversation or experience. But I sure as hell have been thinking about some drastic changes for the past few months. Just not sure what direction to go, or where to start. Same here. Friends keep telling me I need to find a good woman and start a family, with the you'd make a great dad bull. Misery loves company and I know that is not the answer. I think warm weather, salt breezes, clear water, and foreign women is where happiness awaits. Go for it. You only live once, and the best advice I've ever heard is from the great Joseph Campbell. "Follow Your Bliss." In fact, if you've never read his books, this would be a good time to start. Well, at least I know there is another soul out there in the world who has possibly experienced the same enlightenment as me. Cheers to you sir.
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Quoted: Anyone ever just have a conversation or an experience that made you change the way you were living or your life goals. Not talking about women or surprise babies, but just a sudden need to follow a new direction in life? Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort. Soooooooooooooo, you're saving up to be a bum? |
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Quoted: Anyone ever just have a conversation or an experience that made you change the way you were living or your life goals. Not talking about women or surprise babies, but just a sudden need to follow a new direction in life? Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort. |
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Quoted: This was a big thing for me. I had a bigger house, nicer car, and more guns when I was in college than I do now. As much as I support the 2nd, I'm just not that into shooting anymore. I have a Walther PPS and that's it at this point. I wouldn't even carry that if where I live wasn't such a shit show. I've been trying to throw away old clothes and things I know I'll never use, but my family gives me shit that my house looks empty. I even have toyed with idea of getting rid of my bed and sleeping in a hammock suspended between two eye bolts in the studs. I have had many of the same realizations that you mention now. I am selling my guns off... The only thing I enjoy shooting is a bolt action; guns are a pain in the ass to move; you don't want to move away for 3 years and leave them in a storage unit or an apartment, etc. I've come to the realization that the only firearm I NEED is a CCW. The sailing thing hit me hard when I moved to FL for a few years. I just don't have a desire to settle down any time soon. I am selling off 60% of everything I own and am working towards a new lifestyle. I want to be able to drop everything on a moment's notice, move my shit into a 10x15 storage room or whatever and leave the country for a new job. I drive an old beatup suv because it does everything I need in an automobile. It hauls a lot of shit, it can tow, it's cheap, and it's easy to fix (parts are readily available). I just have too much junk, and I'm sick and tired of living for things and NOT living for EXPERIENCES. I have some acquaintances who are completely free. When they get a 3-day weekend available, they'll book a flight to LA or NY or something and just GO for a few days. Then they hop on the plane Sunday night and fly home for work on Monday. That kind of life sounds AWESOME, but I can't do it right now with all of my stuff and my commitments. I just don't see myself grinding the rest of my life away raising children. My mother already knows I don't want kids nor a marriage, and she doesn't care if she never gets to see a grand-baby before she's gone. I want to live whatever time I have left on this planet for ME. Joseph Campbell helped me mentally when nothing else could. |
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Anyone ever just have a conversation or an experience that made you change the way you were living or your life goals. Not talking about women or surprise babies, but just a sudden need to follow a new direction in life? Spent the weekend hanging out with some guys who all lived on the cheap, retired early and now spend their time sailing around the Caribbean. No wife, no kids, no house payment, just bouncing around living on a mooring ball and enjoying the views that yuppies pay $500 a night for in a hotel or resort. Soooooooooooooo, you're saving up to be a bum? That's exactly what I'm doing. No ammo forts or .50s in my future. Hoping to find a used Benetau coastal cruiser in a 30-32 ft range and have it rigged for solo sailing. Have a friend who is a funeral director in the BVIs who can put me to work if I decide to stay put part of the year and make some additional income. |
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I can understand that. Once you have kids, a wife, or even a house, it is hard to walk away from it all to chase a dream. Nothing wrong with having responsibilities, I just don't have any intentions of being a slave to the system for the rest of my life. Only get one shot on this rock, and I plan to live a life worth living. Honestly for me a life without having my own children is not a life worth living. My two sons are what make my life. |
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I can understand that. Once you have kids, a wife, or even a house, it is hard to walk away from it all to chase a dream. Nothing wrong with having responsibilities, I just don't have any intentions of being a slave to the system for the rest of my life. Only get one shot on this rock, and I plan to live a life worth living. Honestly for me a life without having my own children is not a life worth living. My two sons are what make my life. Different strokes for different folks. I don't have the patience or time for kids. I live in a 1bedroom 850 sqft house which is paid off. I plan on trading my truck in for a used smart car or econodeathtrap. Did I mention I have no patience for children. Hell I'm ready to get the big snip so I don't end up with any surprise babies and fuck up my plans. |
