Freedom


 
Some great thoughts being expressed.
Freedom for most is taken for granted.
It's not a privilege or a right, it was earned and gifted to us by the sacrifices of previous generations.
It's something as precious as life itself to many who have answered the call.
I think BFT summed it up pretty well.

At this moment, freedom for me is the fact that I can go to town with the wife, listen to a band, have a bite to eat, drink some beers
and just be human.
And that's just what we're doing.

Peace
 
Freedom to me is FICO score of zero No credit cards no loans just positive cash flow.
My new trophy wife I gave her plastic surgery cut up all her credit cards.
As my grandfather said if you don't have the cash to buy it you don't deserve it.
Freedom is dept free.
 
Hmmm. This is not so easy a question for me to answer.

I am my own boss for the past 23 years.

I am financially secure. I can have what I want, yet oddly do not want much.

I have no children and my parents are self sufficient, so I don't have to care for others.

I do not care what most people think. I beat to my own drum.

So I guess I am free....except:

I work 7 days a week...always.

My work involves deadlines, and pressure, and my actions (or lack thereof) have serious consequences.

I spend most nights worrying about the above 2 things.

If I quit the work, the "free" time might just kill me, since I am an aggressive type A.

I think I created a utopia, and they I imprisoned myself in it. I'll be damned.
 
Hmmm. This is not so easy a question for me to answer.

I am my own boss for the past 23 years.

I am financially secure. I can have what I want, yet oddly do not want much.

I have no children and my parents are self sufficient, so I don't have to care for others.

I do not care what most people think. I beat to my own drum.

So I guess I am free....except:

I work 7 days a week...always.

My work involves deadlines, and pressure, and my actions (or lack thereof) have serious consequences.

I spend most nights worrying about the above 2 things.

If I quit the work, the "free" time might just kill me, since I am an aggressive type A.

I think I created a utopia, and they I imprisoned myself in it. I'll be damned.
That is a very interesting situation. Would you be financially secure if you quit your work and started doing something with «regular» hours and/or less pressure?
 
That is a very interesting situation. Would you be financially secure if you quit your work and started doing something with «regular» hours and/or less pressure?
Yes, I could. I live simply. No debt. Other than my excess of gear, I am not indulgent. I do not eat out, I do not enjoy travelling and I tend to my own chores. I try to look inward for peace (and freedom).

As for the work, it is tough to discard. It is financially rewarding, but it is also gratifying. I truly help people. I can honestly say I have significantly changed the lives of many others in a myriad of ways. That said, it is very demanding.

Wow, this topic really resonates in me. I had no idea that I would have so much to say!
 
Yes, I could. I live simply. No debt. Other than my excess of gear, I am not indulgent. I do not eat out, I do not enjoy travelling and I tend to my own chores. I try to look inward for peace (and freedom).

As for the work, it is tough to discard. It is financially rewarding, but it is also gratifying. I truly help people. I can honestly say I have significantly changed the lives of many others in a myriad of ways. That said, it is very demanding.

Wow, this topic really resonates in me. I had no idea that I would have so much to say!
You are touching upon something important here. I guess freedom is really a very individual concept. While work can be gratifying (and in your case important to a lot of people, considering the help you give them in your practice) that doesn't mean it isn't hard. I am basically completely knackered when I come home from work every single day. I am no more than 46 years old, but I feel the physical toll my work is taking on my body already. All the jobs I have had have been damanding physically; I've been a lumberjack, warehouse worker, teacher and brewer, (even the teaching job was quite demanding physically, I never sat down apart from during our short lunch breaks.) but the last six years working as a brewer have been quite exhausting. My back is bad, my hearing is suffering, and my knees are screwed up. I earn quite a lot less as a brewer than I would have done as a teacher, but at the end of the day it is a job that I am proud of. I see people enjoying themselves drinking our beer, and the beer I brew has created jobs for ten people. That's a god feeling. And at the moment I have a stable economy and I'm able to put a side a little money each month. I'll never be rich (unless some big venture capital firm decides to buy the brewery and pay a lot for my shares!), but I have security. There are things in my life that I worry about, but I am essentially free because I have basic security in my life.
 
Interesting,

I grew up on a little ranch in the country. I learned the value of honesty, hard work, cleaning your plate at meal time, and doing things for others. Life for me was good and music was always my first love.

I became a police officer to better provide for my family. I submerged myself in the job. I learned everything about it. I mastered it. The job consumed my every moment and it did so for 20 years, including my last 2 years as police chief. I was great at what I did because I did nothing else. I took great pride in being an honest cop. I served 6 years in the USNR concurrently. I had no meaningful or lasting relationships with anyone during that time.

During this tenure, i also attended law school for 2 years. I dropped out of the juris doctorate program to assume the role of police chief in September of 2009.

When I left that job in 2011, I felt like I had walked out of a prison. My life changed. I went back to music.

At 53, i take no medications and I've never had back surgery or hip/knee replacement. Most days, I still feel 21. I dont really feel older.

I am secure and can do whatever I want, but instead, live instinctively on a budget. We have a beautiful home in a hillside community, cars are paid for and the home is our only debt.

I watch only comedies or documentaries. I avoid watching the news. I dont worry about what politicians will do because they always do the opposite of what they say. I live in my bubble of peace. When people walk into our home, they tell us it feels amazingly peaceful.

Sometimes, I contemplate a return to law school, but I always stop myself because I know how the role would affect me....how it would consume me.

My wife adores me. She's kind and humble. She is one of the hardest workers i have ever met. She turns heads everywhere we go and we get along famously. There just isnt a downside to our relationship.

We ate out once in the past 6 months and the experience was fun, but the food was a letdown compared to what we make at home. We dont desire anything other than what we have to be honest.

I've flown airplanes, raced automobiles, been crazy, had the trophy wife 15 years my junior and the shallowness that comes with that kind of relationship, spent 2 years homeless after foreclosure and thankfully survived it all.

My current and best wife and i share a love of philanthropy and we derive great pleasure from our work in this area.

I'm still very driven to be a success and i frequently take on more than i should. I'm enjoying our unconventional band and I have resigned myself to leaving studio work and replacing that weekly income as a solo artist.

Freedom, to me, is a life of true peace. Working full time, but not really because I have to, because music doesn't feel like work. What money I bring home, we invest in philanthropic programs we created. No creditors, no car payments. No stress.

This Weekend, wife, daughter and I are helping out on the ranch.

I keep telling myself I am going to get serious and attend Musician's Institute. I would rather spend 2 hours learning a new song than two hours shopping for gear.

I do not need any new musical equipment, but I would love to have a Schecter C1 Hellraiser FR in either Trans Purple Burst or Black Cherry. They are just such solid guitars and beautifully ornate.

I enjoy my relationship with you guys a lot.

I guess I am simple in my lifestyle. I am introverted and couldn't be bothered with trying to impress others.

My pedalboard is my greatest single financial indulgence.

I love getting up early and watching hummingbirds.

I don't miss the pressure i put on myself to be great at a given career. It consumed me. It imprisoned me.

I'm rather boring I suppose...
 
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Yes, I could. I live simply. No debt. Other than my excess of gear, I am not indulgent. I do not eat out, I do not enjoy travelling and I tend to my own chores. I try to look inward for peace (and freedom).

As for the work, it is tough to discard. It is financially rewarding, but it is also gratifying. I truly help people. I can honestly say I have significantly changed the lives of many others in a myriad of ways. That said, it is very demanding.

Wow, this topic really resonates in me. I had no idea that I would have so much to say!
I caught myself this year..started lil Co on 7/24/13..been on call ever since....just shy 55... am counting that i have X amount of time left....it's time to do the music..i can always work..but apply that hard wort ethic to the music,,,

It is haed to leave cause the guy i am selling it to will reap the rewards more than i didmonetarily ,cause of it getting bigger & bigger....but give me a $200 Gretsch & $150 Bugera...sure could get lost & not come back....but if you help people..it really is hard to leave...so...next phase...Music & non-profit work...
 
Interesting,

I grew up on a little ranch in the country. I learned the value of honesty, hard work, cleaning your plate at meal time, and doing things for others. Life for me was good and music was always my first love.

I became a police officer to better provide for my family. I submerged myself in the job. I learned everything about it. I mastered it. The job consumed my every moment and it did so for 20 years, including my last 2 years as police chief. I was great at what I did because I did nothing else. I took great pride in being an honest cop. I served 6 years in the USNR concurrently. I had no meaningful or lasting relationships with anyone during that time.

During this tenure, i also attended law school for 2 years. I dropped out of the juris doctorate program to assume the role of police chief in September of 2009.

When I left that job in 2011, I felt like I had walked out of a prison. My life changed. I went back to music.

At 53, i take no medications and I've never had back surgery or hip/knee replacement. Most days, I still feel 21. I dont really feel older.

I am secure and can do whatever I want, but instead, live instinctively on a budget. We have a beautiful home in a hillside community, cars are paid for and the home is our only debt.

I watch only comedies or documentaries. I avoid watching the news. I dont worry about what politicians will do because they always do the opposite of what they say. I live in my bubble of peace. When people walk into our home, they tell us it feels amazingly peaceful.

Sometimes, I contemplate a return to law school, but I always stop myself because I know how the role would affect me....how it would consume me.

My wife adores me. She's kind and humble. She is one of the hardest workers i have ever met. She turns heads everywhere we go and we get along famously. There just isnt a downside to our relationship.

We ate out once in the past 6 months and the experience was fun, but the food was a letdown compared to what we make at home. We dont desire anything other than what we have to be honest.

I've flown airplanes, raced automobiles, been crazy, had the trophy wife 15 years my junior and the shallowness that comes with that kind of relationship, spent 2 years homeless after foreclosure and thankfully survived it all.

My wife and i share a love of philanthropy and we derive great pleasure from our work in this area.

I'm still very driven to be a success and i frequently take on more than i should. I'm enjoying our unconventional band and I have resigned myself to leaving studio work and replacing that weekly income as a solo artist.

Freedom, to me, is a life of true peace. Working full time, but not really because I have to, because music doesn't feel like work. What money I bring home, we invest in philanthropic programs we created. No creditors, no car payments. No stress.

This Weekend, wife, daughter and I are helping out on the ranch.

I keep telling myself I am going to get serious and attend Musician's Institute. I would rather spend 2 hours learning a new song than two hours shopping for gear.

I do not need any new musical equipment, but I would love to have a Schecter C1 Hellraiser FR in either Trans Purple Burst or Black Cherry. They are just such solid guitars and beautifully ornate.

I enjoy my relationship with you guys a lot.

I guess I am simple in my lifestyle. I am introverted and couldn't be bothered with trying to impress others.

My pedalboard is my greatest single financial indulgence.

I love getting up early and watching hummingbirds.

I don't miss the pressure i put on myself to be great at a given career. It consumed me. It imprisoned me.

I'm rather boring I suppose...
That is a very nice picture you paint. I am very happy for you.
 
That is a very nice picture you paint. I am very happy for you.

Thank you, Man...

You too have done well for yourself. I know what it takes to be successful in your field and it's a 24/7 job.

I'm sitting here looking out the east bay window in the house I grew up in. Mom is up putting chili in the crock pot.

My junior high school wood shop projects are everywhere.

It's as if time stood still here...
 
I am 1 of 7 siblings, grew up under the guidance of the greatest parents one could ask for. All 7 kids are successful in life and we all get along. My parents blessed me with genes that allowed me to have a good career (engineering) that has allowed me to do pretty much what I wanted to do in life. We don’t go out to eat, don’t do too much traveling, and generally love doing staycations.

I have never had any serious illness (knock on wood) and rarely get sick. I caulk that up to playing in the woods near my parents place as a kid which was west of Baltimore, MD. Me and my friends would be out there for hours every day. I firmly believe that built up my immune system. Heck, even my dentist said I have great enamel. That’s a great personal freedom. Moved to CA in 1976 with 2 college buddies and have never looked back.

I started working on cars at 16 and have had quite a few vehicles. Been working on them ever since, mostly Chevy muscle cars in addition to a DD. I’m a DIY person and love building things. I always have to have a project, to be building something with my hands, hence the recent Warmoth builds.

Beside a mortgage (more on that later in another thread) we have no debt. We don’t buy something if we cannot pay for it in cash (OK I use a CC to get the 1 to 6% back and pay it off each month).

I’m married to a wonderful women, who puts up with my quirks and I with hers. It’s a great match as we have so much in common and common interests.

Everyday above ground is a great day!
 
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