Category — philosophy

On the eve of our departure, I find myself looking back at how far we’ve come. I know I should be looking forward at our empty suitcases, but that can wait - it’s not like we’re going to sleep tonight anyway.

I quit carrying my keychain earlier this week, after realizing that the only keys left on it are:

• the key to a P. O. Box I can’t check until December
• a key to a padlock I don’t have anymore, and
• one other key - I don’t even know what it unlocks!

It feels weird – I keep checking my pocket for my keys every time I go to leave somewhere & feel like I’m forgetting something.

A lot of things feel weird these days.

In a little over 4 months, we’ve managed to get rid of our house, both our cars and most of our furniture. Along with all that we’ve managed to eliminate most of our monthly bills, too – which is pretty cool! But we’ve also eliminated the monthly paycheck that has paid for all these things – which is pretty scary, when I let myself think about it.

As I watch my last Texas sunset (for a while), I find myself thinking of all the things we’ve given up in order to take this journey. During the last several months I’ve come to realize that what we’ve really been giving up is the security that comes from having the steady job, the house, and the daily routines of school & work.

And what do we get in return, besides a queasy / excited feeling in the pit of our stomachs? We get the opposite of security – freedom!

Oh, and a pretty cool trip, too.

Maybe I should start packing….

Ready status: Not.

Being homeless by choice is a weird state. I haven’t lived with my parents for over 18 years and they no longer live in the house I grew up in, yet out of habit I end up calling their place home since it is where we are staying. Once we get going, (8 days?! gulp!) I wonder if I will fall into that habit again with our ship cabins or hotel rooms. How long do we have to stay in one place for it not to feel like a temporary stop? How long will it take to adjust our new normal?

I wasn’t sure how I would feel not having a “home.” Would I feel sad, disconnected, or restless? Turns out, not so much. I like not being tied to a particular place and being open to the possibilities. I’m ok with pulling up the roots and not immediately planting them somewhere else. I’ve been asked often lately what about when you get back and I easily reply, “I don’t know.” Don’t really have to know right now.

For now we are learning home is just where you are.

Like most people, I’ve often thought about what I’d like to do in retirement. Danielle & I have talked about how we’d like to travel more after the kids are grown, maybe even live somewhere tropical.
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Note: the audio of this clip is not really suitable for children

from Office Space ©1999 Twentieth Century Fox (greatest movie ever made!)

That’s funny, but it’s also kinda deep. You’re supposed to ask yourself that question, and whatever your answer, you should just do it - because chances are, you don’t need a million dollars.
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