Thoreau said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” So many folk don’t take risks to “follow your bliss,” as Joseph Campbell called it. I followed my bliss imperfectly, and it led me to many adventures and to at least travel through all 50 states. Paying the bills was a struggle but I regret none of it. My best jobs came aft…
Thoreau said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” So many folk don’t take risks to “follow your bliss,” as Joseph Campbell called it. I followed my bliss imperfectly, and it led me to many adventures and to at least travel through all 50 states. Paying the bills was a struggle but I regret none of it. My best jobs came after age 55 and fed my passions. I even got to retire with an extremely modest pension. But I needed more and now I am way out of my comfort zone working for the state to provide food and childcare benefits to people in need. I had to avail myself of some of those benefits as a single parent despite being an extremely hard worker. There is nothing right brained about sifting through forms and inputting codes on antiquated software, but to me it’s like a challenging puzzle with a bit of detective work. Plus I work from home. A new skill set that helps me keep my aging brain sharp and helps people going through hard times. I’ve always had the enriching hobbies to satisfy my love for critters and nature. Sometimes making a hobby into a business can take the fun from it. Finding a balance is the key to “bliss.”
For many years, the chief mate on my father's ship made leather items and sometimes made knives. He made a beautiful dagger for my father. When I met him, he showed me the rifle case he was making. It was breathtakingly beautiful, tooled all over, some of the images so delicate that the impressions in the leather had to be done with his fingernails rather than with leatherworking tools. Every item he made was considered a world class collector's item.
Once, someone persuaded him to try selling some of his work. He hardly sold any of it. He quickly went back to giving away everything he made. He said selling it took the joy out of it for him.
I think the two of you would have understood each other very well.
Thoreau said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” So many folk don’t take risks to “follow your bliss,” as Joseph Campbell called it. I followed my bliss imperfectly, and it led me to many adventures and to at least travel through all 50 states. Paying the bills was a struggle but I regret none of it. My best jobs came after age 55 and fed my passions. I even got to retire with an extremely modest pension. But I needed more and now I am way out of my comfort zone working for the state to provide food and childcare benefits to people in need. I had to avail myself of some of those benefits as a single parent despite being an extremely hard worker. There is nothing right brained about sifting through forms and inputting codes on antiquated software, but to me it’s like a challenging puzzle with a bit of detective work. Plus I work from home. A new skill set that helps me keep my aging brain sharp and helps people going through hard times. I’ve always had the enriching hobbies to satisfy my love for critters and nature. Sometimes making a hobby into a business can take the fun from it. Finding a balance is the key to “bliss.”
For many years, the chief mate on my father's ship made leather items and sometimes made knives. He made a beautiful dagger for my father. When I met him, he showed me the rifle case he was making. It was breathtakingly beautiful, tooled all over, some of the images so delicate that the impressions in the leather had to be done with his fingernails rather than with leatherworking tools. Every item he made was considered a world class collector's item.
Once, someone persuaded him to try selling some of his work. He hardly sold any of it. He quickly went back to giving away everything he made. He said selling it took the joy out of it for him.
I think the two of you would have understood each other very well.