At one time in my life, I had
three jobs. Not because I had a death
wish or was trying to avoid seeing my family, but because it took three jobs to
get us out of the hole we had dug for ourselves. It wasn’t a fun period in my life, but it was
a necessary one. I believe strongly in
doing everything you can to take care of your family and not relying on outside
forces, such as the government, to meet your responsibilities. If a man does not work, then he shouldn’t
eat. He also shouldn’t have free cable
or a cell phone, but that’s another post.
One of my trio of headaches was
working at a church, the second was as a supervisor to a newspaper drop, and
the third was my own paper route to stores and machines. Each job came with its own ring of keys, each
key representing some form of responsibility, which came with its own amount of
pressure and stress. Add to that all of
the keys that went with my personal life and it was a wonder my hair didn’t go
gray a whole lot sooner. It was quite a
bit to take care of all at one time. I
was surprised that with that many keys my pants remained up. Life had become way too complicated. It was time to simplify.
Each key represents a
responsibility, something to take care of and maintain. It doesn’t even have to do with a job. Possessions come with quite a bit of
pressure, as well. Things can break
down. They have to be kept track of and
protected. You worry about someone
stealing them or some unseen accident happening. You buy locks and insurance and alarms just
to keep it all safe. Keys require money
and time, sometimes taking them away from what you’d rather be spending both
on, instead. At times, it’s
enjoyable. Quite often, however, it’s
rather frustrating and I have enough frustrating things in my life. I was being held captive by a ring of a million
keys, a prisoner; I was shackled by material possessions and the rungs on a
professional ladder. It was time for a
revolution and to regain my freedom. It
was time to take my life back.
I made the decision to start
getting rid of my keys. One by one, I
took whatever steps I needed to pull them from the ring and toss them
away. I quit two jobs and gladly handed
my keys over. I reduced my possessions
and freed up my weekends and nights. I
had more money, more time, and less stress.
I didn’t have to worry about maintaining things, which was good because
I really suck at keeping things running.
I wanted to be able to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it and
that was finally beginning to happen because I was willing to get rid of some
keys. Freedom was mine and it felt
great.
It’s been several years since I
made the decision to simplify my life, and I’m down to two keys - one for my
car and one for my home. That’s all I
need. The best things in life are not careers
or possessions. The best things in life
are the family and friends I surround myself with and the ability to chase a
dream I have had since ninth grade.
Boats, I have no doubt, are fun.
A fancy career may have prestige. Neither, however, is better than what I have in
my life right now. People are more
valuable than keys and much more rewarding.
The keys to a happy life, an
enriching, fulfilling life don’t jangle in your pocket. They wrap their arms around you and whisper, “I
love you,” in your ear. Those are the keys
worth carrying around.
*
* * * *
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Thanks for visiting The Mess!
I have so many keys in my desk drawer (in my den)...I have no clue what some of the keys were used for. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI had a ton at one time, as well. Finally decided, if I didn't kwow what it went to, it was time for it to go lol. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
DeleteAnother great read, Robbie and good for you taking the steps needed to get life back to a happy place. This reminds me of the Buddhist philosophy that refers to life, suffering and the root of our suffering being our attachments. Just as you did, learn to let go of clinging and freedom is yours. Good stuff!!! : ) This reminds me, it's time to ditch a few keys myself...
ReplyDeletePossessions in the end is just something for people to fight over or sell once we are gone. I prefer to enjoy the people around me instead of the stuff...of course, I'll always go for a good cigar and scotch. Thanks, Stephanie :)
DeleteNice post, Robbie. I long ago asked myself this question: Do we own our possessions, or do they own us?
ReplyDeleteYes, the people we love in this world are the greatest things in our lives.
I'm so happy to read about your transition! Kudos--and thank you for sharing your story with others. #inspiration
Thank you, Teresa, and a great way to look at it. Too many times "Things" own us rather than the other way around. Time is the commodity to spend and we get very little of it. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
DeleteI was you..probably at about the same time...with a few exceptions...I had FIVE jobs, and was a single mother of three children, all under ten years old. I was literally getting two hours of sleep (and not at night because I worked nights. I gave up that lifestyle for the same reasons you listed, and with it went the stress, the bad wardrobe, and the unhappiness. It was the best decision I ever made, and although, within the past six months, I have run into a few bumps that might push the ordinary person right back into that Hell, I know better and will never look or go back. Nice post...glad I'm not the only one who knows this perspective.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. It is a path I will never return to again. There needs to be a balance and for me it needs to lean towards the immaterial more than the material. I'm glad to see you joined the simple life and wish you luck getting over those bumps. Thanks for visiting The Mess.
DeleteGreat post, Robbie. You always inspire me!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catherine :)
DeleteWow...very interesting...hhhmmm...You have given me something to ponder...I actually understand what your saying though. I had felt that way many times before we lost our home. We were like many people, husband lost his job due to buget cuts in 2009. I had some health issues, and had to stop working in 2008. The stress of doing all we could to keep our home out of foreclosure, what stress. We had worked very hard to get our home, and be there for over 11yrs. But, sometimes our Higher Power has other plans for our journey in life, and although we lost our home, blessings do come from not so good out comes. We really do have much less stress, and learned to just be happy and content with out all those material things that you just can not take with you when we leave this earth. Thanks Robbie for the Insight! Catherine Lyon
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the struggles you went through and thank you for sharing your story. I find my life much more enjoyable with less material things in it. Thank you for visiting and commenting!
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