Thanks for the parable, I think that somehow, in me, this concept, of not participating in the rat race, was ingrained from the start. I never understood the concept of working more than I wanted, and taking more than I needed. The parable says it all.
Amy ... you are my favorite substack poster ... and quite frankly I don't know how you do it with all your emigration issues etc ... I read all your posts and are in awe of you, your resilience, and your lovely disposition ...
There are many times I would like to be somewhere else ... Bangkok doesn't seem so bad if it meant your husband would not have to be 'vaccinated' ...
You are very welcome and thanks for the kind words! I'm taking a breather this weekend in my own way: drowning myself in edits! I'm not much of a city slicker anymore but that Mexican beach could be a nice life too...
That's precisely the bind. I lost a few paid subs over my "Pro Palestinian" stance, which is more that it looks like the same genocidal theater land grab getting played out openly. My soul mourns for all of those killed and I even pray for those doing the killing as they will never be at peace either. This fake dichotomy of labels and dehumanizing and either/or "You are either with us or you are with the terrorists" thinking. It's sickening to see people fall for it all over again...
And the white conquered the native Americans who hunted and fished and spent time with their families. The red man’s daily 7 days a week. Now the conquerors hunt and fish during the weekend.
If they’re lucky and get time off hunt during the week.
The Mexican fisherman has got a great idea.
As long as the Harvard trained business man stays away from his fishing grounds and contaminates the simple native life.
God Bless Amy!!! Thanks for finishing off a good 11/11 Day!
More people need to see that. Seriously, that's a big part of the problem! Everyone is running on a wheel, not paying attention to what's going on around them.
I've always felt that way about retirement. It never really made sense to me.
Burn yourself out when you're young, and can actually enjoy life, then retire when you're old and can't enjoy being off work. You kids are gone, your wife might not still be alive. Why risk that?
At least that's what I've seen. I've worked with a lot of people who have retired. It's only the ones who can retire VERY early, that it seems to workout for.
There were some union mechanics who were able to retire in their late 40s house paid off, the whole 9-yards. But that's not the majority of people.
I don't expect to retire, because I don't see the world panning out that way, probably ever again. It's become glaringly obvious that things are changing for the worst and will definitely not get better before I would be able to "retire."
As a result, I'm going to live and love all I can NOW, while I can still enjoy it!
I'm not saying don't prepare, but I'm not going to make preparations -- my entire life's work.
I think people should work at something they love and then it is not work at all. This whole concept of bearing some horrible soul destroying drudgery or even worse compromising core principles for the sake of a paycheck is just ass backwards...
"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to a job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and the house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it."
Ellen Goodman
Excellent quote! I remember many years ago one of my BFFs found a book that she thought summarized me very well: Its title was "Why Be Happy When You Can be Normal?" Indeed!
Thanks for the parable, I think that somehow, in me, this concept, of not participating in the rat race, was ingrained from the start. I never understood the concept of working more than I wanted, and taking more than I needed. The parable says it all.
I'm with you there!
Amy ... you are my favorite substack poster ... and quite frankly I don't know how you do it with all your emigration issues etc ... I read all your posts and are in awe of you, your resilience, and your lovely disposition ...
There are many times I would like to be somewhere else ... Bangkok doesn't seem so bad if it meant your husband would not have to be 'vaccinated' ...
Thank you again for your great posts
regards
pb
You are very welcome and thanks for the kind words! I'm taking a breather this weekend in my own way: drowning myself in edits! I'm not much of a city slicker anymore but that Mexican beach could be a nice life too...
Great post Amy!
The parable is spot-on. 🙌🏽
I openly refused to take sides. My subscription numbers are in free fall. But then I suppose that would be the case if I took either side.
That's precisely the bind. I lost a few paid subs over my "Pro Palestinian" stance, which is more that it looks like the same genocidal theater land grab getting played out openly. My soul mourns for all of those killed and I even pray for those doing the killing as they will never be at peace either. This fake dichotomy of labels and dehumanizing and either/or "You are either with us or you are with the terrorists" thinking. It's sickening to see people fall for it all over again...
And the white conquered the native Americans who hunted and fished and spent time with their families. The red man’s daily 7 days a week. Now the conquerors hunt and fish during the weekend.
If they’re lucky and get time off hunt during the week.
The Mexican fisherman has got a great idea.
As long as the Harvard trained business man stays away from his fishing grounds and contaminates the simple native life.
God Bless Amy!!! Thanks for finishing off a good 11/11 Day!
11/11 make a wish!
🙏🙏🙏 I made 3
Can I get more than one? LOL 😂
Wish 1. For you is to navigate all bureaucratic
Nightmare catch 22…. Cash is the international lubricant.
Wish 2. And 3 for me are being formulated for this mondays new moon!!!
Happy Trails Amy !!! You are Loved
The fisherman's parable is absolutely excellent!
More people need to see that. Seriously, that's a big part of the problem! Everyone is running on a wheel, not paying attention to what's going on around them.
I've always thought the same. I'm surprised more people haven't seen it before it's been one of my favorites for over a decade...
I'm going to send that to everyone I can.
I've always felt that way about retirement. It never really made sense to me.
Burn yourself out when you're young, and can actually enjoy life, then retire when you're old and can't enjoy being off work. You kids are gone, your wife might not still be alive. Why risk that?
At least that's what I've seen. I've worked with a lot of people who have retired. It's only the ones who can retire VERY early, that it seems to workout for.
There were some union mechanics who were able to retire in their late 40s house paid off, the whole 9-yards. But that's not the majority of people.
I don't expect to retire, because I don't see the world panning out that way, probably ever again. It's become glaringly obvious that things are changing for the worst and will definitely not get better before I would be able to "retire."
As a result, I'm going to live and love all I can NOW, while I can still enjoy it!
I'm not saying don't prepare, but I'm not going to make preparations -- my entire life's work.
I think people should work at something they love and then it is not work at all. This whole concept of bearing some horrible soul destroying drudgery or even worse compromising core principles for the sake of a paycheck is just ass backwards...
I agree. I actually like my current line of work, and can work from home, almost 100%.
I'm with my family all the time, and THAT'S the time I could never get otherwise. Never at retirement, my kids would be grown and gone.
I know that I'm blessed to be where I am now, so I'm going to take advantage of the time I have and make the most of it.
This is kind of like early retirement in a way, only I still have work responsibilities.
Love the one about Life vs. Vacation!
I really liked the parable!
Reminded me of this quote:
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ellen_goodman_137005
"Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to a job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and the house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it."
Ellen Goodman
Excellent quote! I remember many years ago one of my BFFs found a book that she thought summarized me very well: Its title was "Why Be Happy When You Can be Normal?" Indeed!