There’s no magic key or talisman to give you, but I can point. Sort of. Simply put, I feel better than I have in decades. This couldn’t have happened before now, either. (Maddening, but true.)
The other night, for example, I was hanging out with a couple of gentlemen friends, and the conversation turned to politics the way it usually does. My companions were righteously exercised over know-nothings, anti-intellectuals, the rise of Tea Party politics, onrushing fascism, “what went wrong” in the last election, and how the Democrats could come roaring back. I know I surprised them by declaring that this wasn’t my problem, but it isn’t—and I didn’t used to feel that way. All I can tell you (and them) is that I no longer feel the need to correct anyone’s facts or opinions. My wood stove fights the cold 24/7 and does it by burning as hot as it can, right where it is. It doesn’t network with other wood stoves or hit the road in search of snowdrifts to melt. It never starts an argument or disses other heaters…
Another clue: I’ve been working hard on the new ebook version of Buffalo Lights. What’s new in the revised edition are the photos, so this will be much better than the original. It’s quite an undertaking, and I’m proud of the results so far. Oddly or not but definitely related is that for at least a week, I haven’t thought once about money…
WHOA!
Nope, not once. I haven’t thought I wanted more or didn’t have enough. I haven’t worried about marketing. I haven’t checked my Amazon account every ten minutes to see what’s selling. It’s not as if I don’t care, it just hasn’t come up. Hmm. I’m not worried about losing weight, either. I seem to know that whatever I want to eat is fine, because my body won’t betray me. (Only my mind can do that.) Remember though, I can always go back, and next week could be hell!
Awesomely weird, and I embrace it all.
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Just “Minute by Minute”….and all that , eh?!! We all seem to spend TOO much time on the “what if’s” ….and “wish I’s”… etc…..when all we need to do is just BREATHE….and BE……. (seems to be working for you…) And that ain’t bad at all……Now if I can just start practicing the same thing…..which next week I will…..I retire this Friday…..and I am Joyously awaiting the opening of the Next Door!
(which will hopefully include MORE trips to TAOS and el Norte!!)
What the hell does “retire” mean?
I don’t ever get to do that, whatever it is, but I think you’re happy about it, so congrats!
I am “retiring” because I am going on Long Term Disability due to my Back Surgery last summer which prevents me from meeting the physical standards of my job duties…and my “temporary desk Job” is ending with the football season…SO….The disability insurance I have been paying for all these years (70% of my salary + my benefits until I am age 65 + more) is a fairly good deal. I planned to “Retire” when I was 62 – and it was certainly NOT going to be with 70% of my Salary….so THAT is why I am HAPPY….AND….I will also have the freedom to pursue ALL the things I have been wanting to do for 29 years….such as grow my hair out….visit Taos as much as possible….and do what my Doctor ordered on my Physical Therapy…which was “Play Drums” to help the nerves in my legs heal….so YEP….THAT makes me Pretty Happy…But there will not be any Sitting on the porch ” Retirement” ….gotta make up that 30% of my salary……SOMEHOW! AND Thanks for the congrats….I will also have more time to read your posts and view your photos – especially once you splurge and get that IDEAL Camera you mentioned!! You Must do it….your fans are counting on you John!
That all sounds great!
When we moved here, we lost more than 80% of our income and have never made it back. No home, no equity, no nothin… but we’re here. I’m not sure that makes up for everything, but it is undeniable.
If John ever figures out the meaning of the word “retire”, then I reckon that’ll be the day that he dies.
Of course a person can stop doing one thing and go to doing something else. With or without remuneration, that ain’t retirement, just a change of setting. My father gave up being a mail carrier in his early 60′s, sick and tired of toting the bag in West Texas heat, fending off dogs and taking orders from supervisors. But that didn’t stop him from doing a series of other jobs – some of them paid, some voluntary – until almost the day he died 30 years later. That relentless work kept him pretty happy, but of course he grumbled because grumbling was what he was good at.
Though several years older than he was at that first retirement, I’m still in harness. What I do doesn’t have physical challenges, and I don’t have superiors, but there are doleurs and discontents in any job and, I reckon, any life. “Shouldering the mailbag” is what we do on this earth. In times of discouragement I think of the old man doing it, day in and day out, then abruptly taking it off and moving on to other endeavors.
Steve, playing the drums with a passion sounds to me like a pretty good job of work.
Thanks for your comments Ken…(and John) …and I agree…..playing drums “With a PASSION” (I played professionally for 12 years before coming home and taking the only gig I could get with my limited education and experience….) and have been here 29 years….a REBEL who does NOT Care for AUTHORITY Figures – became one….????….and I have been ready for YEARS to get away from this……I believe that a Blessing has occurred and a NEW Door is opening….and my wife and I plan to take FULL advantage of these opportunites. “RETIRING” is only the term they use for what I am going to do….(actually ‘retiring on Long Term Disability’) but I do NOT plan to do NOTHING….could not do that anyway….I plan to do EVERYTHING….and ANYTHING my heart (and my wife’s) Desire…..and that includes being as much as possible in areas like Taos where Folks (I LOVE ‘Folks’!!) Live and Let Live and are MUCH more Open and Creative and ALIVE…..Not to mention the culture and blend of humanity…..WOW….Can’t Wait….!!
Meanwhile I, TOO, will continue to “shoulder the mailbag” as we stumble along HAPPILY through life…..(at least a heck of a lot more happily then now…..) Adios para hoy mi amigos…..!!
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