Around years’ end, thoughts often turn to the events of the current year and the prospects for the upcoming one.
At some point this year, our RV adventure changed for me. It became an exciting act-of-living. I think the change was that difference in what Emerson described between “getting ready to live and actually living.”
Strangly, along with this life awareness change my urge or need for photography lessened. It’s interrelated, so recently I’ve taken just a few photographs and written very few posts as I figure it all out.
I think most of us work or worked throughout our lives with the intention and dream of eventually having the time and means to relax and enjoy ourselves. Even vacations are often scheduled regiments designed to cram as much as humanly possible into an alloted time. The thing is, we can’t know how much time we each have. Therefore, waiting until we feel it’s safe or until we-are-ready to do what we really desire is scary in itself.
Bonnie and I understand how very lucky we are to be able to make the life choice we did two years ago. We took a chance and refused to allow fear, naysayers and pure change to dishearten us. The payback has been remarkable beyond description. We aren’t the same people who started this adventure in 2015. As with most things in this life, if we had only known then what we know now.
I believe a RV neighbor said it best this afternoon: “I was lucky enough to have a house for most of my life and even luckier now not to have one.”
One thing ends and something else begins — it’s all good.
Very thoughtful reminder. Love these two photographs Brooks. Both seem symbolic of leaving something behind and moving forward. I admire your “adventure” (as if it had a final destination, right?). I admire the freedom of letting go of that constant weight of future planning for retirement, letting go of a lot of this stuff that we really don’t need to feel happy. While I do like calling a place “home” – I often question if that really has to be a stationary place.
Hello and thanks, Mark. That “final destination” you mentioned still eludes us as it always seems to be around the bend somewhere. It may stay that way as long as we are able to do this. Funny how we plan for the future and retirement in hopes of having enough money to do a few of the things we want to do while at the same time hoping we don’t live longer then our money last — strange way to live. As far as all the stuff we accumulate, I would even go as far to say it actually runs counter to being happy. I’m saying this from our own experience of getting rid of most of our belongings and the overwhelming sense of relief that came along with it. We always feel we have a home, we just take it with us now when we travel. Take care and happy holidays!
Well said! I have experienced much change in my life since retiring, most welcomed but a little not so much. The change continues as my wife finally retires next month. We are excited to see what’s next.
Thanks Steve. I’ve always admired all the volunteer work you do and I’m sure when your wife retires there will be more fulfilling and exciting times ahead for you. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Glad when you do post images and words. I’m also enjoying reading about this “exciting act-of-living” you and Bonnie are now experiencing. Brings a smile to my face. :-) What a life changing experience!
Monte, thanks. I know RV’ing might not be everyone’s “cup-of-tea” but I think most people have something they’ve always wanted to try or do that they’ve put off. It’s always scary beginning something new, taking a chance, undergoing major change, especially if you’re “flying without a net” but often the richest rewards await one in those circumstances. Bonnie and I will never regret this time in our lifes but we would have regreted not doing it. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :-)
All so very true. Someone once said that every journey begins with a single step. You were bold enough to take that first step, not all of us are. This was a great Post to read and a reminder to us all to be bold and seize the day – Carpe Diem
Hi Andy, thanks for the comment. For us that single step turned into a snowball rolling downhill with us sprinting to keep ahead, but after two years I can say the results have been grand. I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season!
It was great to catch up with you and Bonnie last weekend and was especially nice to see firsthand how comfortable you have become in your “new” lives. There is a lot to be said for the adventure you have chosen. It’s clear that you did it for the reasons that are right for the two of you and it’s great that you are so happy with your choice. Many of us are fortunate enough to have the luxury of choice, but with choice comes the obstacles you mentioned. To the extent that we can keep the “fear, naysayers and pure change” at bay, the better able we are to identify our true goals. While the best we can hope for is to make decisions based on what seems right for us based on the information we have, it helps to do it with a healthy dose of skepticism to try and weed out the real obstacles from the imaginary or emotional ones. I know that many of us are eagerly anticipating where the next 12 months takes you!
Tom, it was good to catching up with you guys. As I told Monte above, RV’ing isn’t for everyone but everyone has similar choices concerning the living of their lives. Take care that setting goals, weighing decisions, gathing information, measuring what’s possible by what’s already been done doesn’t turn into a never ending process of preparing to live. Not that preparation isn’t valuable, but also take advantage of those opportunities to jump from the plane trusting you’ll remember to pull the handle and the parachute will open. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. :-)