Life Is More Than Work

I have been alive for 51 years (not counting in Utero) and experienced a lot. Although I was raised with little money, I managed to travel half way around the world at a young age. I’ve been married 26 years and raised 2 children. Life has given me tragedy and triumph, pleasure and pain, feast and famine. I have been a business owner and an employee, a musician and a writer, a husband and a father.

My life is half over and yet finally it is just beginning.

With experience I learned how to better myself. Mistakes are a great teacher. While my lifestyle doesn't fit with most, I love where I'm going both in this life and the next. My path has been bumpy and I hope it continues to be. It's an adventure with an uncertain outcome. As I have gotten older, I have lost the desire to keep up with the Jones. I want to pursue my dreams and goals with my wife and if there is big money in it then great! If not, at least I'm doing what makes me happy.

Are you doing what you love? Maybe not for a job but how about in your spare time? Life is hard enough without mixing in some passion. I know when I was getting out of high school all I wanted was to get a job and move out on my own. I didn't have a career goal or a passion for anything. I just wanted to make some money.

There is still a lot of road to travel and many mistakes yet to make. I am trying to be a better person. I am trying to slow down and look around. That enjoy the journey not the destination thing.

What’s the secret?

Do what makes you happy.

Life is brutal and unforgiving. It can be a constant battle and you have to have your armor on all the time. We are conditioned to working hard and putting off relaxing until retirement.

Why wait? Can’t we do both now?

I have talked to lots of older people that told me they wished they had done this and that. Why do we not get it until we are old? We only get one spin around the carousel of life, shouldn't we make the most of it? Shouldn't we try and fail and try again? Shouldn't we be doing what brings joy into our lives?

Travel, learn the piano, restore a car, collect rare coins, eat out for dinner more. Go do what warms your heart. I know this will get some people irked and I will get comments about how we have to work to pay the bills and there is no time or money for anything else. That's really up to you.

If you want to do what you love and desire then there are always sacrifices. Ask Michael Jordan if he sacrificed anything. I'm not saying you should go out there and play in the NBA. I'm saying if you have a desire strong enough, put it into action. It's easy to say it can't be done or I can't afford it or I have no time.

We all need to change our thinking. It’s called life because you’re supposed to live it. Make a bucket list and start filling that bucket. Write down things big and small, then start getting out there and doing them. Life will change dramatically for you. Don’t worry, all your tv shows will be there waiting for you when you get home.

Now go make it happen. And don't take life so seriously. Have some fun. Find something you love to do and do it, then do it again. And take someone you love along for the journey.

Life is more than work. If you can figure that out then your journey through the stars will be amazing!