The Simple Life

raisingarizona

raisingarizona

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
The fast lane thread got me thinking about how we can live better lives by simplifying things. Or maybe not? Maybe chasing the dollar and wanting lots of things is your jam, nothing wrong with that at all imo. Those are the people that create jobs for the rest of folks.

Do you guys/gals try to keep things simple or ever wonder how you could?

I used to think living as a carless ski bum in a mountain town was the way but rent has become ridiculous and as you get older living in a three bedroom place with five other dudes is no longer fun. I really loved the public transport in Steamboat. I even used to move a pounds of weed on the bus. Man it was funny to skunk everyone out on there!

So, could you do something to make life easier and open more time up for recreation? Or do you already have a good strategy? I know Harvey has his eyes set on retiring at his cabin, how about the rest of ya?
 
Legendary ski bum, Dave the Farmer had been skiing at Alta for nearly 50 years often leaving his signature tracks on powder filled faces in LCC. He unfortunately just past but he lived an incredible, simple life to the fullest. Check out this vid to see his philosophy and how it related to his skiing style. This is very cool, I promise.

 
Brownski said:
Pursuing wealth can certainly complicate your life but so can poverty. I guess we’re all looking for a balance
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Great OP RA and great point Brownski.

My dad was born in another country. I remember him working 7 am to 9 pm when I was in high school. I am not sure about the correct balance; but when I have a 'long day' in an air conditioned office, I think about the work he did as a precision machinist without complaint. He wasn't an emotional man, but he would talk about how you need a certain amount to have a basic lifestyle. I think he did it because he didn't have too much financial choice.

I learned alot lessons from my dad, good and bad. Generally speaking we (Americans) need a lot less than we think. There is a certain freedom that comes with driving a soon to be 11-year old workhorse car, but I will spend within reason on experiences.* My children have had travel and cultural exposure that I never had. But I try to teach them, people first, then (a distant second) money, then things (yes, that's from Suze Orman). I also try to teach them to focus on process and not results and empathy. I am sure I fail as a teacher all the time.

For me, ski bumming is something that did not even appear on my radar. Not good, not bad, just was. Last night I was playing school with my daughter's stuffed animals (and my daughter). Maybe the most fun I have had inside in weeks.

*Yes, I know I post about the fancy car I might be getting, but the bottom line is I have no commitment to them and my choices since I started earning an income mean it won't be a big deal for me to spend on it. It is certainly a luxury. But so is any second car when I live close to a train station.

An aside, but the other part of life beyond simple living that is invaluable is reading. I've read Nobel or book award books in the past year ranging from the tumultuous first year of Churchill's tenure to the great migration of Black Americans, and circled back to Sotics and just started the journal of Ike's aide de camp. There is thousands of years of learning out there for all of us. For free.
 
raisingarizona said:
I know Harvey has his eyes set on retiring at his cabin
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Not sure how simple, it looks like there may be dynamite in my future.

I'll take your lead and refrain from telling my story again. I do hope it gets simpler.
 
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