Paddling and Backpacking give me a chance to reflect on what is meaningful in my life.
I have a job that provides for my family on many levels. I am not emotionally, physically, or spiritually drained after a day of work. My employment cultivates my passion of family, friends, and fun. And my career provides me the time off to have modest adventures with my family, friends, and alone time in the wilderness.
It took a long time to realize that the job I have provides all of these things. I am not saying that I will always remain with my present employer. Because I am still growing academically. I will find another job one day. But in the meantime I am happy to have a job when so many people are unemployed.
I have a coworker that does the exact job that I do. They work the same hours, deal with the same people, and patrons. However, they are emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained after a day of work. They do not believe that our job cultivates an internal passion for cultivation connections within their family, and friends. Moreover they cannot imagine finding the time to have fun during our time off from work.
We are treated the same at work. But the difference is how we live our lives. My family has cut back on many distractions. Moreover, we are free of credit cards.
As a husband, father, student of life, and a minimum wage employee, I have found it challenging to cut back. Especially in getting the computer out of the house and not being glued to the mobile phone at home. Oddly, I have more time and money to spend with my family. I am more focused at work because I know that I cannot take the work home with me.
Where as my coworker takes their work home with them. They are also swimming in debt and every penny goes to bills. They have a bigger home, more expensive toys, and they justify eating out because they do not have the time to cook.
This is something to reflect on – Jeff
Liquid Rhythm Adventures' Journal 