Living happily in my bubble.
mrpaseo
Posts: 4,753 ✭✭✭
I am going to go though this fast so as to not bore you.
When I was 19 I gave up many of my rights, most important Freedom of Speech when I joined the active duty Army. Also at the age of 19 I knew little about the world be it music, art, politics, religion, finances even how to properly feed myself. This made me a good Soldier as I had very little opinions to worry about thus I was able to keep an open mind and adapt quickly.
From what I could tell Politics and Religion where full of unneeded "issues" if you will. I afforded little time in these areas for a few reasons but mostly because 1) I did not understand either of them and 2) They caused distention, animosity, segregation and frustration... I just steered clear of them all together. That said, I in no way harbored any animosity and thus supported everyone else's right to practice how they so choose.
Early on I decided to focus on finances because I figured the only common denominator of the future is that it would take money to do what I want (Since we don't know what the future holds). I figured if I was in good health but broke, I would have little options other than work so I focused (Though not as good as I should have) on financially securing my future.
During my time in the service we lived in a comfortable bubble (That's what my wife and I call it). In our bubble we worried about the things that we can change, outside of that, we didn't worry much (Though we did some preparing for things such as weather and emergencies). Our daughter, our house, my Soldiers... these are the things that we could change so this is where we spent our energy. We spent our energy on these things figuring that there are smarter people in the world that are dealing with the politics and religion issues that we do not have the ability to make a difference.
After 20 years under the security blanket of the Army, I spread my wings and leaped into retirement. Gaining back my Freedom of Speech I have been doing some reading and watching some videos that express the current state of our economy (Actually around the whole world) and frankly I just assume stay in my bubble and continue to change what I can. From what I can tell... there are a lot of people with this same mind frame.
Considering dependance on earning a living, many people need to earn so they can exist. When we are dependent on [Insert whomever you work for], we tend to not want to rock the boat so we can ensure continued occupation and thus income so we can live. At this point, I let's say 80% of the population want to live in their bubble and live their life to the best that they can. This 80% is spread on the spectrum from left wing to right wing but not hard core either way. Their opinions/beliefs place them on the spectrum with the center being neutral in all areas.
That leaves us with 20%. I tell myself that 10% of these people are hard core left wing, and the other 10% are hard core right wing. These two wings are playing a game of tug of war each trying to pull more into their side. Throughout my service, I did not have my hand on the rope. I lived in my bubble below the rope, swaying with the people around me. When I am effected by tax changes I am swayed one way or the other, however, I countered this (Like an anchor) by building security (Emergency fund, living below my means etc).
At the age of 39, I emerged from my bubble much like emerging from a cave. As I look up to the rope I am blinded by the sun of knowledge as it pierces my eyes forcing them to close. Knowing little that is going on, not knowing who to believe or trust, I look into the sun with squinted eyes trying to make sense of it all. Uneasy, I yearn for the security of my bubble. I read, listen, watch and as I do I feel opinions and beliefs being born from within. As I learn, I understand that the only way to be able to benefit from the game is to reach up and hold the rope so I know which way it is being pulled. You see, knowing which way, I may be able to better prepare myself and my family for what is to come. In my current state, I am unable to change the way the game is going, unable to effect the outcome but I am able to know which way it is going. This is the knowledge that I seek. As I learn more and better understand, I may be able to make a difference in the future, but that time may never come, I may not want it to come.
While holding onto the rope, I am able to better prepare for the future (For example, I am learning about Precious Metals, hedging, falling fiat currency, how the world is connected to the USD etc). As I learn more I may grasp the rope stronger (Build opinions/beliefs), I may pull in one direction or the other (Vote), but until then I will do as I have always done, I will prepare, I will control that which is in my bubble, and I will strive for happiness all the while not hindering others from their of happiness in their own way.
_____
Sorry if that is all confusing, opinions/questions are welcomed be it below or in private message. In relation to this forum, my pursuit to learn more about Precious Metals and holding a position of physical PMs is what developed these thoughts.
Thanks for reading,
Ray
When I was 19 I gave up many of my rights, most important Freedom of Speech when I joined the active duty Army. Also at the age of 19 I knew little about the world be it music, art, politics, religion, finances even how to properly feed myself. This made me a good Soldier as I had very little opinions to worry about thus I was able to keep an open mind and adapt quickly.
From what I could tell Politics and Religion where full of unneeded "issues" if you will. I afforded little time in these areas for a few reasons but mostly because 1) I did not understand either of them and 2) They caused distention, animosity, segregation and frustration... I just steered clear of them all together. That said, I in no way harbored any animosity and thus supported everyone else's right to practice how they so choose.
Early on I decided to focus on finances because I figured the only common denominator of the future is that it would take money to do what I want (Since we don't know what the future holds). I figured if I was in good health but broke, I would have little options other than work so I focused (Though not as good as I should have) on financially securing my future.
During my time in the service we lived in a comfortable bubble (That's what my wife and I call it). In our bubble we worried about the things that we can change, outside of that, we didn't worry much (Though we did some preparing for things such as weather and emergencies). Our daughter, our house, my Soldiers... these are the things that we could change so this is where we spent our energy. We spent our energy on these things figuring that there are smarter people in the world that are dealing with the politics and religion issues that we do not have the ability to make a difference.
After 20 years under the security blanket of the Army, I spread my wings and leaped into retirement. Gaining back my Freedom of Speech I have been doing some reading and watching some videos that express the current state of our economy (Actually around the whole world) and frankly I just assume stay in my bubble and continue to change what I can. From what I can tell... there are a lot of people with this same mind frame.
Considering dependance on earning a living, many people need to earn so they can exist. When we are dependent on [Insert whomever you work for], we tend to not want to rock the boat so we can ensure continued occupation and thus income so we can live. At this point, I let's say 80% of the population want to live in their bubble and live their life to the best that they can. This 80% is spread on the spectrum from left wing to right wing but not hard core either way. Their opinions/beliefs place them on the spectrum with the center being neutral in all areas.
That leaves us with 20%. I tell myself that 10% of these people are hard core left wing, and the other 10% are hard core right wing. These two wings are playing a game of tug of war each trying to pull more into their side. Throughout my service, I did not have my hand on the rope. I lived in my bubble below the rope, swaying with the people around me. When I am effected by tax changes I am swayed one way or the other, however, I countered this (Like an anchor) by building security (Emergency fund, living below my means etc).
At the age of 39, I emerged from my bubble much like emerging from a cave. As I look up to the rope I am blinded by the sun of knowledge as it pierces my eyes forcing them to close. Knowing little that is going on, not knowing who to believe or trust, I look into the sun with squinted eyes trying to make sense of it all. Uneasy, I yearn for the security of my bubble. I read, listen, watch and as I do I feel opinions and beliefs being born from within. As I learn, I understand that the only way to be able to benefit from the game is to reach up and hold the rope so I know which way it is being pulled. You see, knowing which way, I may be able to better prepare myself and my family for what is to come. In my current state, I am unable to change the way the game is going, unable to effect the outcome but I am able to know which way it is going. This is the knowledge that I seek. As I learn more and better understand, I may be able to make a difference in the future, but that time may never come, I may not want it to come.
While holding onto the rope, I am able to better prepare for the future (For example, I am learning about Precious Metals, hedging, falling fiat currency, how the world is connected to the USD etc). As I learn more I may grasp the rope stronger (Build opinions/beliefs), I may pull in one direction or the other (Vote), but until then I will do as I have always done, I will prepare, I will control that which is in my bubble, and I will strive for happiness all the while not hindering others from their of happiness in their own way.
_____
Sorry if that is all confusing, opinions/questions are welcomed be it below or in private message. In relation to this forum, my pursuit to learn more about Precious Metals and holding a position of physical PMs is what developed these thoughts.
Thanks for reading,
Ray
0
Comments
Comfort is comfortable. Having a jaded point-of-view is sometimes good and sometimes it's bad, depending on what it all involves. Critical issues? Bad. Drama issues? Good.
Money isn't everything and it can't buy you true happiness, but you have to have money to live and a good bit tucked away to live comfortably (if you enjoy spending it). If one wants to live like the unabomber without electricity and a toilet, by all means, go ahead. Anything above that and you're gonna need money.
Money can't buy time, but it can buy time off.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>From what I could tell Politics and Religion where full of unneeded "issues" if you will. I afforded little time in these areas for a few reasons but mostly because 1) I did not understand either of them and 2) They caused distention, animosity, segregation and frustration... I just steered clear of them all together. That said, I in no way harbored any animosity and thus supported everyone else's right to practice how they so choose. >>
Regarding politics, this describes me perfectly. I can't agree on the religion half; I've always been an observant and active member of my congregation. But I definitely felt that way towards politics at a young age - and still do! I vote for certain elections, especially locals, but I do not bring up the subject over dinner with friends.
Amat Colligendo Focum
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Thanks for the story and esp your service
Keep stacking :-)
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Who knows what the future holds,
Keep in stackin,
Ray