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landstar59 landstar59 is offline
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landstar59 I am thankful for the fish before me.

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I saw a short video clip yesterday of a woman who lived in New Jersey and was a prosecutor by profession. She had done it for many years and realized that all she did all day long was to argue with people and people argue with her. Her job began to affect her entire being and needless to say she woke up one day and just decide to quit, go west and ride horses. This may sound extreme to some people but in reality if we look at how our jobs affect our lives then I'd say most of us would pull up our roots and move on to better things. Share your stories if you have realized this to be true of you. I tend to think the majority of people stick with a job that is unsatisfying and never move on to see what else is out there. What do you think?
- June 6th, 2009, 07:39 pm
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JDavid JDavid is offline
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My story is a bit different in that I did not dislike my job. In fact, it was "the best job in the world". As a tenured university professor, I taught twelve hours per week and kept office hours three additional hours. The salary was handsome and the benefits generous. Every seventh year I was entitled to apply for sabbatical – a year off at half salary or a semester at full pay. I had built a nice house on twenty-five acres in rural country within easy driving distance of the university.

Soon after becoming forty years old, I decided that in spite of a love for teaching, what I really wanted was to be free of obligations and free to go wherever I wanted and do whatever I wanted without asking anyone. My friends and colleagues and students were aghast that I would consider abandoning a secure and rewarding career for the uncertainties of freedom (and unemployment).

Without hesitation I turned in my resignation, bought a travel trailer and truck, sold the fancy house, the acreage and everything that would not go along. I actually qualified for a tiny pension after ten years of teaching – and told the university president, "the pension isn't much but I'm going to make it painful for you people because I intend to live a LONG time.

That was thirty years ago. I intend to collect that pension for at least another twenty years – at which time its total will amount to more than my salary during those years of teaching (even adjusting for inflation).

It has been a wonderful three decades of freedom that allowed me to visit most states and to live in many different places for months or years. I have visited many of the "natural wonders" (rather than cities) of the US, and have gotten to know people all over the country "up close and personal" by living in their area. I have not suffered a W-2 form or 1099 the entire time.

 I do not recommend that others follow my path – but it works for me.

- June 11th, 2009, 08:49 pm
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landstar59 landstar59 is offline
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landstar59 I am thankful for the fish before me.

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Now that's what I would call stepping out of your comfort zone. Good for you David and especially because it has worked for you. You haven't let your life live you, you've lived your life....although I am not sure at what expense (regarding family).
- June 13th, 2009, 11:11 am
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landstar59 wrote :
Now that's what I would call stepping out of your comfort zone. Good for you David and especially because it has worked for you. You haven't let your life live you, you've lived your life.
Actually, Landstar, my comfort zone is quite broad because I am comfortable with myself and am reasonably self-assured and self-confident. It might be more accurate to say that the decision to leave the university position was leaving the familiar to embrace change and uncertainty. I did so enthusiastically.

I have always been a bit of a "risk-taker" (sensible risks, but requiring of some fortitude). Without seeking thrills, I have done many things that people generally hesitate to undertake. Comfort (in conventional terms) has never been a priority in my life.

Outside my comfort zone would include such things as cities, crowds, stressful life, obligations, traffic, noise -- but those are easily avoided in my lifestyle.

landstar59 wrote :
.although I am not sure at what expense (regarding family).
Every decision we make involves trade-offs. It is, for instance, very difficult to be free to go where one decides and do what one wants – while being closely tied to family.

That is a non-problem for me because I am not family oriented. I prefer to choose friends based upon personality characteristics rather than to emphasize associations based upon genetic relationship. Shared genes are no indication or assurance of shared values.

Some people to whom I am related have difficulty accepting my decisions or the paths I choose to follow. It troubles me not at all that they have a problem. I do not live my life to please others (excepting a chosen partner – and even then a close enough fit does not require major adjustment).

- June 13th, 2009, 09:50 pm
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WeDesignOurLives WeDesignOurLives is offline
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landstar59 wrote :
This may sound extreme to some people but in reality if we look at how our jobs affect our lives then I'd say most of us would pull up our roots and move on to better things.
It doesn't sound extreme and I think this is a very important topic.
- August 6th, 2009, 07:42 pm
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lada2 maybe i should have not closed that door so hard, so quick

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having had the recent opportunity to define myself apart from my job (and I am quite looking forward to resuming) old friends have told me I am much more pleasant to be around. Oh, well....
- August 12th, 2009, 11:31 am
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