The Good Life

[dominiquer60]

This is apparently an advertisement for a book, but it tells a good simple message in 3 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McvCJley78A

[Plowboy]

Erika, That makes a whole lot of sense doesn’t it! It is difficult in these modern times to take time for yourself. I am guilty of having a fulltime job, a landscaping business and a farming habit. Daylight till dark but hopefully it won’t always be that way. We’re paying off debt and purchasing and building things to help us in the future. Hopefully we can enjoy the fruits of our labor soon because the little one will be here in two months! Hopefully I can adjust my schedule so I can spend more time with him as he gets older. Good message!

[Rod]

Terrific, thanks.

[Vicki]

Well, the American Dream, which attracted millions from other oppressed and depressed lands, is that you could CHOOSE your goals and your ambitions, according to your values, be they “big” or “small.” Then you live with the fruits and consequences.

I don’t want to work 18 hours a day at a business and grow it huge. But I’m sure glad some folks did, because I wouldn’t be using this computer if someone hadn’t. They would not have been developed, or would be too expensive for most people. Same with all of the goods and services which we enjoy and benefit from. I’m thankful there are folks with drive and ambition to entrepreneur, invent, and risk and that they had a society of freedom to let them accomplish and reward their accomplishment so they could keep investing, because the entire world has benefited.

Pursue your passions. Be happy with the results. Don’t envy those who have more material wealth because they work more or at different jobs. You can’t expect the same wealth being a happy small-time fisherman as one who busts his butt day and night to become a brain surgeon or risks big to grow a company like Henry Ford or Bill Gates. Most of these people believed they had a duty or calling to apply themselves for the betterment of mankind, and they prospered in so doing, and found fulfillment. It’s not all about money even for most “rich” or “successful” people.

It’s good this young guy has been challenged, as we should all be, to clarify for himself his values, goals, and ambitions.

[near horse]

one who busts his butt day and night to become a brain surgeon or risks big to grow a company like Henry Ford or Bill Gates. Most of these people believed they had a duty or calling to apply themselves for the betterment of mankind, and they prospered in so doing, and found fulfillment. It’s not all about money even for most “rich” or “successful” people.

It’s easy to romanticize about the motivations of those that went before us but it’s hard to believe that were any different than those today. I know plenty of professionals (MD’s, DVM’s, lawyers) that:
1) went into the profession for the $
2) haven’t worked any harder than bricklayers and ditchdiggers but get paid quite a lot more and live quite a bit more comfortably.

Lastly, remember many of the great discoveries in history came from entrepeneurs looking for something else. A good set of videos to watch, although a bit dated, is a program called “Connections” in which historian (I think) James Burke looks at historical innovations and how they came about. A classic was refrigeration came out of looking for a way of preventing yellow fever (thought to be in the air).

Vicki – I agree with finding your passion and pursuing it. Life is pretty hollow without something that moves you to look forward to the day ahead.

[Carl Russell]

I know it’s a bit like the chicken and the egg, but the current display of achievement that we live amongst, is the direct result of all the hard work and sacrifice of much simpler people using animal power and fishing by hand, who were able to provide enough affluence for the Bill Gates of the world to evolve. I think the jury is still out as to whether the hand line or the computer are going to be more valuable in 100 years.

Carl

[dominiquer60]

Geoff I think that I remember that “Connections” or something similar, footage of a vintage bedroom with and extensive series of chambers that air was blown through to expand and compress and eventually ended cooler than when it started. If it is the same I am thinking of that is certainly a good series, if not it sounds like something that I wish I had time to watch.

Vicki I am thankful for my computer, It keeps me connected to a really great group of people, especially during these winter months when I am off the farm and out of my elements. I could be happy to have never owned a computer also, I would probably have a stronger local group of friends with more varied interests. I am happy with what I have now, and know I could be happy without many of the modern material things that I possess currently. (It would be hard to give up floating row covers and the season extension that they can provide)

The Good Life at what ever scale that makes us feel emotionally fulfilled is something that I wish more people would pursue. If more people found an occupation that they enjoyed and took pride in I think that maybe a very positive step for our society. Learning to live within our means and enjoying what we have instead of longing for what we have not seems to have gone out of fashion. I am not saying that we shouldn’t follow our dreams or advance ourselves, we should be happy with what we can do and not get too carried away with what we can’t do.

Comfort is in the eye of the beholder. I could have been a kept woman in a fancy suburban home, had enough money to cover all my needs and some wants, and travel the world once a year. Some standards call this comfortable, I called it awkward and uncomfortable, so I declined. I take great comfort in taking care of some of my needs, and having a little money to buy what I cannot create on my own. My friend in the suburbs is now envious of what I have created for myself. I told him that he could do similar, but of course he can only answer with “yes, but….,” too bad for him and his “I’m trapped in society” mentality, he could be more comfortable too, if he would just choose to do so.

[Author]

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