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What the heart has once known, it shall never forget." ~Author unknown
"To Retire or Not to Retire"; Unedited Version, Written by Thomas Marhold.... On a recent trip up North, I visited with a fine friend whom I know and have respected for many years. He's not the youngest anymore and he's retired already a couple of times but seems never to able to give up. He's head over heels involved in a new project and beyond greeting me, he found hardly time to talk to me. In his busy office a sign got my attention, it said: "I can't win, I can't break even and I can't even quit!" I looked at my friend, and I looked at the sign and at my friend again. I thought of friends I know who are in the same situation and still hold on...why? I could not come up with any answer. My friend's office has been very busy but he seemed to enjoy its work tremendously, he did not show a sign of stress. And did he look good, his hair was white but very attractively styled, he was slim and I could tell he plays tennis often and beside he gave me the impression he could afford anything he wanted,...anything. As I walked back to my vintage VW bus which is as worn as the clothes I wore, I had a feeling of jealousy, because this man can work and still be successful, but I cannot. I choose to live away from it all and I decided to get out of the fast lane and do with what I have. My chances to make a big buck and dine and dance through the night are pratically nil. Obviously, I couldn't effort a 30 dollar hair styling either... But there are two sides to each coin. Back to my cozy home overlooking the bay and the small fishing harbor on the Sea of Cortez, I had forgotten very fast this little episode until I received a letter from a dear friend whom I equally enjoy and respect. In the past, we have spent many happy hours together at the sandy beach, talkng about boating, fishing and diving. He used to come down here in regular intervals, but lately I miss seeing him. His camp spot is still there but his camper and his little red boat are missing... Lately he wrote me the following letter, I want to share with you: "I received your nice Letter which I enjoyed immensely. I can visualize you seated at the table as you wrote it, enjoying the beautiful view from your window. As many other people I am very envious of your lifestyle and understand why you love the bay as much as you do. I personally cannot think of any other place I would like to be at this time. I can close my eyes and see the coulds over the islan, feel the spray from a wake against myt face, taste an ice cold cerveza or hear the squawking seagulls while cleaning fish....Well enough of that daydream. I'm still caught up in the trials and tribulations of this civilization. I'm still laboring six days a week on my new office building, somewhat fearful I won't finish on time for the upcoming business season. I ask myself quite frequently why I don't really retire and move to the "Bay" as you have. It really is not a financial problem, but one I don't really understand. I suppose I'm stereotyped in to ths society as so many others." Here ends the letter of my friend. I agree with many of you, to break out of the daily routine is in no way easy, it is frightening. Because if the decision is once made it is costly to revoke and turn around. In many cases it's not so much the lack of a monthly income, it's the lack of correct knowledge on how much or how little we can live comfortable thereafter. And on how much are we willing to give up from our existing life in order to trade it for something new and unknown. And then, without doubt, there is this ever naggin question, what's comfortable? And then by all means, what's comfortable for me might not be acceptable to my family. I firmly belive something drastic has to happen to a person first. A grave illness or the loss of a job will do, to initiate the big step to a much simpler and healthier life. I believe, the less a person owns, the happier a person can be, thereby it is totally unimportant how much money you make. It is only important how much you have left for yourself and how much of a quality life you can exhange for it. If you make the decision to get out of your first life and than start your second life and enjoy it as I do, than you can say: "I've come a long way, baby!"
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Links toTourist or Baja-Related Web Sites |
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Mia's Walking Sticks |
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Hotel Las Hamacas |
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