Recently, while traveling on a epic journey in Africa, I was haunted by a question, “When am I going to drop this day job I hate, and start doing something that lifts my spirit?” Daily I watched animals scratching and clawing through each moment to simply survive. They were not worried about wasting their lives doing one thing or another. My haunting question answer never came to a conclusion on this trip, but the since of urgency in life planted deeply by their struggles.
Shortly after return from Africa, I learned of a dear friend much younger than me, fighting for her life against Cancer. The haunting question REALLY started to get louder and louder. The urgency of my question was reaching a frenzy.
Then some dear carving friends invited me to visit, share time, carving fun, and catch up on things. It was just what I needed ! I heard stories of how some folks spend their final days in rest homes, some with money, and some without. It was noted how the money saved was not a big factor in their final days. Then I heard how others took the calling of free spirited motorcycle adventures while they were still young enough to enjoy it. I soaked the stories in like sponge.
I did not envision myself in their shoes, nor did I consider how I would have done things differently. However, I did reflect that I was raised conservatively, such that I was compelled to ALWAYS be prepared financially for my future, and this seemed to be a crux of my quandary on when to retire. Saving, saving, saving for retirement, is what my parents did, so I guess that wore off on me. But the brutal fact is, my mother died at 63, very shortly after retirement, and she never got to enjoy those savings. As I reflected on our conservative nature, and mom’s conclusion, a dear friend reflected on how it seemed I was following her same path. His clear, truthful words stabbed my like knife. He sensed his words impacted me deeply, and he tried to apologize, but it was exactly what I needed to hear!
After careful thought, I’ve decide to quit my job, take the summer off, and start a new adventure.
I have 5+ unfinished sculptures that need time and attention, I am certain my time will not be wasted on them.