5/26/2019 Reconnect With Nature:

Honestly, what has stopped me from connecting with nature and being outdoors is my riding buddies who no longer want to ride as much as I do. I should begin by saying two weeks ago, the weekend before classes started, I chose to go to Yadkinville and ride motocross by myself. The place in Yadkinville is a nice place to ride motorcycles, camp, fish, and just hang out with family or friends.

I started going here back in 2014 when I met a Friend named Michael Carpenter. We hit it off pretty well, but after a few years of riding, we began to not ride as much. I wanted to go riding every weekend, but he did not. The thing about motocross riding is it’s a sport that is too dangerous to do alone. It’s simply too dangerous to try the terrain without other people there to go along. There have been many accidents to people who were alone and things didn’t turn out well for them.

So, that’s my reason for wanting more people to go along for the ride, however my last ride two weeks ago was great. I went alone and met some people to ride with, so I was okay. Now, what I want to do is Become less Dependent On Other People In Order To Enjoy Myself!!! Mentally, I have to break the bad habits. The bad habits are what have made me so dependent on other people. I am training myself to go this journey alone. Bike riding is what I love to do and I shouldn’t be unhappy because of other people. It may sound selfish, but it’s the truth.

I owe it to myself to be happy. I work hard, and I should play even harder.

Spend More Time With Family: 

            Family is important and I know I should cherish the moments way more than I do. So, in this first entry I simply want to make that change to visit family who live out of town more frequently and also enjoy the ride along highways simply taking in the sights as I go along. If anything, at least visiting mom who lives a little over an hour away would help make me feel better about showing appreciation for the things she and my other family members have shown me over the years.

The change will start this weekend as I am going to Seagrove NC to see family for Memorial Day. This cookout will be greatly appreciated as I truly do need a break from the everyday schedule and work week. No credit cards on this trip. Only cash in hand.

De-clutter My Life:

This is probably my biggest challenge so far. I have so much going on from work, to family, to just wanting to take a long vacation with someone I love that it almost seems unfair. However, I’m not the one to complain about things. I just keep going and going, just like that energizer bunny. HaHa.

What is mainly my biggest challenge is how to get rid of things that really have no significance in me succeeding or failing. But, for some reason, I hold on to them. I do have people around me that hold me down. I DO want to live the simple life. I have the means and wherewithal to do so. I just need to let go of things and certain people. I do not mean this monetarily, but I want to say I know the difference in needing to hold on to something or let it go.

Therefore, my happiness depended on this action and what I did really wasn’t too significant until I looked back this weekend and noticed the negativity was no longer there. Some people, even friends can unknowingly hold you back. Changing subjects, I also went to the warehouse where I work and moved some things around. The disorganization there was ruining my life. Every time I went over to this place; it was like a disaster. No one to do things right but me and I’m glad I did some work there and the potential for me to be happy at work is greater.

Doing More With Less: 

Besides a few other things like helping out my mom and spending money on my motorcycle; I do a fairly decent job of living within my means. I do have some credit cards that I would like to pay off, however I need them to continue my strive for perfect credit. I hardly ever go anywhere outside my city, so over spending isn’t a concern for me.

What concerns me is not doing enough to be happy. I don’t need money to visit family. I don’t need money to go walking through the parks and down the nature trails. When I evaluate Simple Living, I see it as doing what we love. I think it’s all in the mind. I happen to value the simple life part of who I am. I never go on spending sprees. I have no intent to go shopping with my money buying clothes that I hardly get to wear. If I’m not at my Monday thru Friday job, then every other weekend I’m working at Budweiser.

I do see a work week of just four days making my life complete on certain levels. I need that Friday break to unwind early and get packed for a ride in the country or just a night camping. How simple can that be right? Very simple if you ask me.

What I plan to set out and do is leave the credit cards at home and only spend what is necessary. So far so good, as just this weekend alone I went to the store Friday and only have a small amount of cash. This was great because not only did I not use a card, but it stopped me from purchasing unneeded items.

Takeaways from my first journal entry: I noticed things needed some changing. Looking at what was keeping me from living simple was my clutter and spending habits.

6/02/2019 Making Changes:

This week has taken me to a new outlook on life and how the calming of the mind and spirit can be so beneficial to my happiness and overall feelings. I am finally learning to slow down and just take things in. I never look up at the sky which is so important to do. You never know! Something could be falling from the sky! But, looking up reminds me to stop looking down. I noticed, sometimes when I walk I look down. By habit it is, but it’s not cool to look down all the time. I want to be thankful for everything I have and finding my way through these beautiful days is so important to me. I’ve been on this save money for later and forget about buying useless things lately, so I hope to keep up the good work. I love buying new parts for my motorcycle, so maybe some wishful thinking can keep from spending money on new parts.

The aftermath of simplifying my housing, my wallet, and my everyday chores have really opened me up to a brighter outlook on life. I have found out just how much I was in a fog because of my daily routine. Things were out of order but they are getting better.

I have my fingers crossed that this new way of living will stay with me for many years to come. Takeaways: I am a happier and healthier me. Things are getting a little interesting for me. A new outlook on life is what I needed.

I just figured out what I was missing:

In the grand scheme of things is a man who wants more out life and needs to find a way to do it. He is me and I am him. Funny Huh? Well, I’m actually pretty serious about this. Who knew what “simple living” could actually offer? I didn’t until I gave it a try. So, what’s missing? Honestly, I just needed a break from the everyday routine. i want my Friday’s to myself and I want happiness.

6/09/19 Light bulb goes off:

My many guides really helped me here. So I remembered to read about the guy who gave it all up to re-connect with nature. If my followers can remember, nature is what calms me. Nature is what rejuvenates me. Nature is what reminds me to go at it easy and take it all in. Nature is why I can truly say the outdoors is my calling. I went back to my roots this week and went for a bike ride!

Talk about “Simple Living” at its highest. I can’t believe how easy it is for me to get off track. Considering, how much joy and satisfaction I get out of riding motocross. Well, back to my “Call of the Wild” reference to Guy Grieve’s move to Alaska after he became fed up with his life. Now, let’s be clear. I love my life. I love my family. But, I can relate to instances where I said to myself; if only I could be here instead of where I am at.

Yes, I could use a financial overhaul. Heck, I could even use a new place of living. I love my apartment complex, but I do want to live in a home with a nice back yard and deck. However, I have thought about home ownership and its benefits, but I like to move around at times and home ownership may prevent this.

And then I came to realize the obvious:

Believe me when I tell you. I love the outdoors and all that it offers. But, going at alone can suck sometimes. Why can’t my ride buddies get it! Going to ride motocross is where it is at! I know we all have responsibilities because I have them too. But, after working 9to5, I need a break. By the way, every other weekend I work for Budweiser so when I have a weekend off I’m ready to go outdoors living. Well, going back to Guy Grieve’s situation of wanting to break away from the usual routine and do something different. I have to figure at what costs will this hurt me? He left his job, but I can’t just leave mine. Yes, I do want a change and what comes next week is my plan to do so. Seriously!

Reiterating my previous adventure:

Okay. So, I made progress in evaluating what was missing from my everyday happiness. And, I did go riding to help alleviate the anxiety of wanting to hurry up and finish the work week. But, where do I go from here. I don’t want to get to a standing point, arms crossed and nowhere to go. I have all these destinations to visit and not enough time to visit them. My first journal entry spoke about my need to become less dependent on other people. I’m getting there however I have this funny feeling about traveling alone thru the mountains or country with no friend to share the memories. Those riding buddies of mine are going to be so jealous! Anyone who has traveled long roads and countless hours to a certain destination can attest to the times spent and moments enjoyed. Anyway, my plan is to visit this bike park in South Carolina called Wambaw Cycle Trail in Jamestown, SC.

Simple Living Welcomed:

What can I say? The hopes of spending less money can’t be welcomed without some sort of sacrifice. Riding motocross is not cheap. Traveling long distances can be costly, as well. But, I think some good financial planning like brown-bagging lunch at work and skipping out on costly after work expenditures can go a long way. So, what am I telling myself? Stay the path and steer straight! Don’t veer off track. I’ve really come a long way in finding where my happiness lies. School has always been something that makes me happy. Going to work on the other hand, not so much. Having money for weekend getaways is always something I look forward to accomplishing so now that I know what I have to do. I will welcome “simple living” into my lifestyle so that my dreams of travel and riding can come true.

06/16/2019 Better Late Than Never:

The journey will not end. Better late than never is my motto to live by. It takes me back to my days of contemplating continuing my education. I always knew I wanted to do it and there always seemed to be some sort of roadblock in the way. Some may say I used this as an excuse but what I didn’t know was I really needed some time to think about what was missing in my life. After getting started, I finally became aware of the many opportunities that are available to me if I only could get a better education.

Now, what has happened to me is a transformation that is not only noticed in my immediate family but also my friends. I have become a person of substance and skill as I have furthered my understanding of the world and how it operates. This leads me to simplicity. How can I live the simple life if I don’t know the keys to success? Where I’m at in this life of mine is reaching out to those who have similar things in common as I do.

Coming into my own:

I began school again like I previously mentioned and the my career goal i was not sure about yet. I knew sports and my love for the outdoors could take me really far if I applied myself and I wanted to be successful in everything I did from that point on. I found out that I could make good grades and communicate well with my fellow colleagues and this really gave me confidence in believing in myself. I had already found steady work in the field of furniture sales but I wanted something new that would interest me. I knew that I could go to school for outdoor related majors and be happy doing what i finally loved but at first, this is not how everything was happening for me. No major setbacks, just some unforeseen things that happen from time to time in this game called life.

Now, I see myself down the road in a class called “simple living” with fellow classmates all having similar wishes and desires. I posted really early in this how I wanted to end the 40 hour work week for myself and begin to have my Friday’s to myself. I wanted this dy to pack and prepare for the weekend. To my surprise is the fact now I can set my schedule for the early work week and have these Friday’s off. It was my knowing of what I needed that got this done.

Where am I headed?

After finding my true love of motorcycles again, I now see what’s important in life. Life for me and you should be nothing but about what makes you and me happy. That’s it! Whether a cross-country trip to see the world or a family ride to local country store. See, life is about the memories we create along the way. yes, we need other people to do things with. No one wants to go the road alone but if we can someone find pleasure in following our dreams and our heart then we can be happy in so many different ways. Togetherness and community are what makes the click. not going at it alone. I have a bright future ahead of me. I should share this with someone. it just might make someone else’s day that much better. I want to inspire myself to become something greater than what I am currently, and with the community and togetherness of my family and friends, I can do it. I’m in no way saying i need other people to be happy. no, not at all. However, what I am saying is this journey in life can be enjoyed and made “simple” if I and you involve other people.

The End:

No. Not the end of my story or my life. Lol. It’s the end of my weekends without doing what I happen to love. I choose to enjoy “simple living” and I will take part in everything that it offers. Without this class, who knows if I would have come across these valuable lessons of living with less and making it more. We all need an outlet whether we admit it or not. i simply choose to let myself be known. I will take the experiences of this class everywhere with me. i will let my family and friends know about. Hopefully, it can change their life just like it has changed mine. I have finally cleaned out the clutter in my life. I have finally found a new appreciation for my life and values again. I have looked myself in the eye and found that inner inspiration to be great at something again. I’m happier and i hope it shows in all I do. The “Simple Life!” Wow, If only I knew about it sooner. Thanks, Arthur. I’m actually going riding this weekend, by the way!!!

 

My life in simple words

 

Having fun is what life is all about