Taking A Leap

[SoulRaven]

For those that have never taken a "leap" from a secure position, I wanted to say that the first time you do it, it is hard and scarey but once you have done it, you just deal with the details and wonder why it seemed like such a big deal.  That was your life and now the current is your life.

We have pulled up roots and given up good jobs to just move somewhere else just because we wanted to.  When the kids were little we spent money on vacations rather than saving for retirement.  Many would say that was foolish but I try to explain that if I end up eating cat food when I am 80 years old, I'll have the memories which will sustain me.  

I see so many people here sitting in their big houses, a lot of older women alone in the big house with their cat or little dog.  I won't let that be me.

I have spent my life doing what I wanted and going against the constant chatter of the decisions being wrong.  I joined the military when I was 20, the first of my adventurous undertakings followed by many more.

Every change was terrifying to me.  It always felt like stepping off a cliff but I became addicted to the adventure.  I have been locked in place now for a few years and feel like a caged animal at the zoo.

So, the first leap is the hardest but after that, you gain confidence in yourself and it gets easier.

 

[Patrick46]

I think alittle Alan Watts is in order here...

 

[Queen]

Always been a risk taker, never cared about the fallout since the adventure was the goal. Have to say now, at 55 with a bum leg, the allure isn't as great. I still crave adventure but lacking the ability to do any and everything independently has taken a bit of the shine off. Knowing if I get an infection, even a small one, can infect the implant makes me more cautious than I've ever been. Knowing I can't stand, walk, kneel, squat is making job hunting a nightmare.

I really think it would be different if I wasn't trying to straddle two worlds. My wife wants the security of a good job and a permanent home, that colors every opportunity.

Don't mean to be a downer, but I miss the leap.

 

[SoulRaven]

Great link Patrick46. It was kind of funny as in another forum of a different type, some young ones were complaining and saying why was it worth living when all you did was work. Well, I decided to link in "Without Bound". Well, per the comments, they are most interested in having time to live their life but still have all the "toys" that working all the time brings. Well, I don't have an answer for them.

And, Queen, I'm sorry for your situation. Yes, I can imagine job hunting is a problem also especially since so many jobs here today are physically demanding. I don't know how many states have it but I know here they have something called "vocational rehab" for job training and wonder if there might be some program that you could utilize but you have probably already been through all that. I just wish I had a helpful suggestion. I hope that things improve for you in all ways. And, you're not being a "downer".

Maybe your wife will realize that "security" is an illusion. I came to realize that. I think more so today than ever that it is an illusion.

 

[Silver]

I work 40 hrs / wk .

I long to roam around N. America & the oceans on a sail boat.

• But I do plan to go camping during Xmas alone
• [size=large]What good is $ if U don’t hav the time to enjoy doin the things U luv ?[/size]
• [size=large]Is it fun to work 40—55 hrs / wk  til ur 72 &[/size]
• [size=large]b so crippled U can barely move ?[/size]

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Let us not dwell on what we cannot do and look to those things we CAN do...

And I said that so I have to do that

 

[GrantRobertson]

I think alittle Alan Watts is in order here...

Oh My Monster!

Thak you so much for posting this. O had never heard of Allan Watts. Now I am hooked.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Snow Gypsy and Queen both have heartfelt observations from 2 sides of the coin. As I am now, I'm fortunate to be able to get up and be a risk taker until I no longer can or decide it's time to settle down again. I love to hear honesty from you Snow Gypsy. Queen, you remind me that things can change in an instant and I need to live my life now.


Dragonfly

 

[GrantRobertson]

Always been a risk taker, never cared about the fallout since the adventure was the goal. Have to say now, at 55 with a bum leg, the allure isn't as great. I still crave adventure but lacking the ability to do any and everything independently has taken a bit of the shine off. Knowing if I get an infection, even a small one, can infect the implant makes me more cautious than I've ever been. Knowing I can't stand, walk, kneel, squat is making job hunting a nightmare.

I really think it would be different if I wasn't trying to straddle two worlds. My wife wants the security of a good job and a permanent home, that colors every opportunity.

Don't mean to be a downer, but I miss the leap.

Sounds like you should apply for disability. Do it Now, even if you don't think you will get it. When you finally do get disability, your "back pay" will be based on When you first applied. I have seen people get tens of thousands in back disability pay.

 

[Queen]

Thanks for the suggestion, Grant, but I am perfectly capable of working (I left my professional job five months ago the take a leap and move to warm and sunny Florida). It's just where we moved there are no professional jobs available, only labor type jobs I can no longer do.

 

[ZoNiE]

Cat food is expensive...

 

[akrvbob]

Very well said Snow Gypsy!

For the great majority of people, they much prefer a mediocre or even poor present to a brighter but riskier tomorrow. It's sad but true. I'd even say it was true for me, I was forced into vandweling, I didn't have the courage to choose it for myself.

But, once I tasted it, there was no going back!

It's easy to understand peoples fear if you remember that every moment of our lives since birth we are force-fed societies lie that our happiness is unimportant, the only thing that matters is that we be "good productive citizens" cogs in the machine and wage-slaves. Few people overcome it and they have all my admiration!
Bob

 

[GrantRobertson]

Thanks for the suggestion, Grant, but I am perfectly capable of working (I left my professional job five months ago the take a leap and move to warm and sunny Florida). It's just where we moved there are no professional jobs available, only labor type jobs I can no longer do.

Then apply. Where you live now, your physical condition keeps you from working. That is all that counts. If you then later find professional work, then you won't need the disability pay. But for now, technically, you are disabled.

 

[WriterMs]

I think alittle Alan Watts is in order here...

It's been many..many...many years since I read Watts. But I'm I had never come across that narration. Thanks much.

 

[SoulRaven]

What I do to give myself confidence is ask myself "What is the worst case scenario?" and then I figure out can and how would I handle it. After that, it is much easier. I either realize that it is not something I can handle or I have my backup plan handy if needed. I have tried to tell a few others to do this but too many of them don't want to consider the worst case scenario.

So, before leaping, I decide if I hit bottom will I bounce and how or just crash with a kaboom.

 

[Phantom Blooper]

This is an old Marine sayin' " When your up to your azz in alligators, it's difficult to remind yourself your initial objective was to drain the swamp."

Keep on persevering and you will do just fine! You came this far and you also woke up this morning...so you must be doing something right! Best wishes!