 |
|
11-30-2012, 11:15 AM
|
#1
|
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 648
|
What do you desire?
Was curious to hear people's opinion of this short 3 minute video.
The message is a great one.
Makes me appreciate that I do something I love... and [luckily] get paid well for doing it. I'm not gonna lie, if money were no object I'd probably do something slightly different (many things to be exact), but on the happiness scale with 10 being I'd do it for free... my job is a 9
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
|
11-30-2012, 12:13 PM
|
#2
|
|
Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peru
Posts: 6,335
|
Interesting philosophy...
If I were a younger person, this might have applied, and been good advice.
Now that I'm a wee bit older, perhaps not so much.
Coincidental with watching the clip, I just came from article that offered a slightly different bit of philosophy that is now more appealing to me... I kinda like being just "ordinary".
charles hugh smith-The Benefits of Being Ordinary
A small excerpt from a larger blog that hit a nerve... 
 Quote:
Now for the benefits of being ordinary. The temptations to
stray are few for the ordinary; those of us with ordinary
looks, brains, talent and wealth are not beset with the
temptations of impossibly beautiful women/handsome men, nor do
dealers approach us with offers of cocaine or other costly
illegal substances. No one is willing to give themselves to us
for access to our power, because we have no power beyond that
residing in our bodies and souls.
Lacking power and prestige, we are not tempted to lie to
protect our power and prestige.
Since everything we own is also ordinary, there isn't much
worth stealing (except if we own older-model Japanese cars
that are worth more in parts than as whole vehicles), so
ordinary security measures are sufficient.
As ordinary people, nobody expects extraordinary results or
behaviors from us. Expectations of us are also ordinary, which
means that good work and politeness will go a long way to meet
or exceed expectations.
l
|
The piece also deals with the burdens of being extraordinary.
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 12:37 PM
|
#3
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,901
|
It's the kind of message that truly resonates with me. Still, money is an inevitable medium of life. Blessed are those who can find a lucrative career they are truly passionate about.
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 01:13 PM
|
#4
|
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SF East Bay
Posts: 4,342
|
It's not always practical for everyone to do exactly what they want for a career, but they can always spend their time away from work doing what they like. I do think that it's important to spend at least some of your time doing something you love.
__________________
Contentedly ER, with 3 furry friends (now, sadly, 1).
Planning my escape to the wide open spaces in my campervan (with my remaining kitty, of course!)
On a mission to become the world's second most boring man.
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 01:15 PM
|
#5
|
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 3,895
|
The real problem is, most are driven by our consumerism based society, keeping up with and out doing the Joneses, the goal to acquire and have stuff. It has been ingrained in our DNA almost from the day we are born. Unfortunately it makes for much unhappiness and frustration for many. It took me the better part of 60 years to realize, stuff ain't important. Doing what you like and enjoying family and friends is what life is all about. At least in my way of thinking.
__________________
Earning money is an action, saving money is a behavior, growing money takes a well diversified portfolio and the discipline to ignore market swings.
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 01:16 PM
|
#6
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,500
|
I think he is completely right, but he is never going to persuade anybody of that.
If one chooses a particular line of work because they love it and have a passion for it - - and then in reality it doesn't turn out to provide a wonderful day-to-day experience that they love as well, they have to shoulder the responsibility themselves rather than passing it off onto the evil realities of life. But if one doesn't pursue one's passion, one will never know what could have been.
Many of us can cite ways in which our occupations had an undesirable side that we didn't foresee. In my case, I worked for a while as a research scientist, and found that it is most definitely NOT all intellectual stimulation and creativity, and that even with a research assistant to help, there is plenty of repetition and tedium to go around, as well.  It also isn't the most lucrative use of engineering and science degrees. But how would I have known all of this had I not followed my passions and interests in career choice?
I am sure there are many other stories of the reality of certain occupations that sound better than they live.
We only live ONCE, and I suspect one of the worst ways to live one's life is in regret for what could have been.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 02:36 PM
|
#7
|
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: irradiated - too close to the nuclear furnace
Posts: 1,294
|
And now for something totally different.
Naval gazers like this guy annoy the hell out of me. Who is he to tell people they shouldn't have a 9-5 office job? Paying the bills is 90% of living a comfortable life, forget retirement. What if we all ran away and joined the circus or were Peter Pan. What BS.
I did the opposite of everything he said and I am perfectly happy with how my life was and is in retirement. I have no desire to scale mountains, swim with sharks, para glide into a cavern in some hellhole of a jungle or any of the other dangerous video displayed. I went through life following the schedule and calendar doing the non exciting boring things he has such disdain for and I turned out just fine thank you very much. I have no desire for adventure, I desired security that a well paying job with benefits provided. I put in my time and would not change it if it could be replayed.
Naval gazers and their inability to conform. 
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 04:11 PM
|
#8
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 6,506
|
Wonder what the guy posing the question is doing for a living and who is paying him?
He is advocating living the wet dream. Reaility has way of intruding, like food, shelter and other diddly stuff.
__________________
There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 04:42 PM
|
#9
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,346
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ls99
Reaility has way of intruding, like food, shelter and other diddly stuff.
|
What? You mean they're supposed to take responsibility for their own support? Sacrilege!
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 05:31 PM
|
#10
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,304
|
Well, there are all kinds here at ER.org aren't there...
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57
Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 05:47 PM
|
#11
|
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,366
|
Not so long ago, you worked or you starved. Work might not have looked so bad then.
I have always tried to make my life what I wanted it to be. I don't see why anyone would "settle" for anything less.
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 07:03 PM
|
#12
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Animorph
Not so long ago, you worked or you starved. Work might not have looked so bad then.
I have always tried to make my life what I wanted it to be. I don't see why anyone would "settle" for anything less.
|
+1
The only score that matters is the one I keep...
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
|
|
|
|
|
11-30-2012, 08:23 PM
|
#13
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
|
He kinda glossed over the point where you have to do a bunch of things that you don't like to do in order to get to the part you like to do.
If "money was no object" when I was working, then I would have spent all of my workday doing the things I enjoyed... and paying someone else to go to department head meetings for me.
__________________
*
Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
|
|
|
|
|
12-01-2012, 08:18 AM
|
#14
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,895
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by EvrClrx311
Was curious to hear people's opinion of this short 3 minute video.
...
|
Are you sure?
Quote:
Originally Posted by EvrClrx311
The message is a great one.
|
IMO, the message is a stupid one, and dangerous to boot. What I particularly dislike is the all Black & White view - that's not helpful. According to the speaker, you either do something you love (and magically, money will follow, life will be grand), or you follow the money and end up hating your life? Let's not forget that many of those 'dream careers' can't be done once the body gets a bit older.
No in between? Like maybe getting an education and having an career in engineering? That provided a pretty good income, and I found it interesting and challenging. I think that was a better decision for me than 'following my dream' of being a rock star. Even if I gave it my all, what were the chances I would really enjoy my life? Chances would be high that the best I would do is play dreary little clubs and always be struggling to meet the rent. Fun. Better for me to keep music as a hobby, that I can pay for from my in-demand, reasonably paying day job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by veremchuka
And now for something totally different.
Naval gazers like this guy annoy the hell out of me. Who is he to tell people they shouldn't have a 9-5 office job? Paying the bills is 90% of living a comfortable life, forget retirement. What if we all ran away and joined the circus or were Peter Pan. What BS.
... I went through life following the schedule and calendar doing the non exciting boring things he has such disdain for and I turned out just fine thank you very much. I have no desire for adventure, I desired security that a well paying job with benefits provided. I put in my time and would not change it if it could be replayed.
Naval gazers and their inability to conform. |
You forgot to criticize the awful, mushy, obnoxiously 'pretty' music in the background, that seems to be 'de rigueur' for these 'navel gazing' videos! 
Hey, the OP asked! And yes, I seriously hated it! But thanks for posting! It's interesting to see what turns other people on.
-ERD50
|
|
|
|
|
12-01-2012, 02:37 PM
|
#15
|
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: irradiated - too close to the nuclear furnace
Posts: 1,294
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50
I think that was a better decision for me than 'following my dream' of being a rock star. Even if I gave it my all, what were the chances I would really enjoy my life? Chances would be high that the best I would do is play dreary little clubs and always be struggling to meet the rent. Fun. Better for me to keep music as a hobby, that I can pay for from my in-demand, reasonably paying day job.
-ERD50
|
Count your blessings, if you made it big you may have joined the 27 Club. Besides who needs all those groupies! 
27 Club - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
|
|
|
|
12-03-2012, 06:43 AM
|
#16
|
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,360
|
Simplistic nonsense that is typical of 60's counter-culture. Tune in, turn on, drop out ... etc.
I agree with Nords.
__________________
"To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive". Robert Louis Stevenson, An Inland Voyage (1878)
|
|
|
|
|
12-03-2012, 07:18 AM
|
#17
|
|
gone traveling
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 3,851
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by veremchuka
Who is he to tell people they shouldn't have a 9-5 office job? Paying the bills is 90% of living a comfortable life, forget retirement. What if we all ran away and joined the circus or were Peter Pan. What BS.
|
Exactly...
|
|
|
|
|
12-03-2012, 07:45 AM
|
#18
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,304
|
Is the messenger dead yet? Jeeeeeez...
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57
Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
|
|
|
|
|
12-03-2012, 07:57 AM
|
#19
|
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,724
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Midpack
Is the messenger dead yet? Jeeeeeez...
|
|
|
|
|
|
12-03-2012, 08:03 AM
|
#20
|
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,304
|
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57
Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Quick Links
|
|
|
Linear Mode
