life

What’s Your Pot of Gold?

I’ve mentioned in previous posts my plans to change my life in many ways. I’ve also mentioned my goal to move in about 10 years time to somewhere with a moderate climate, possibly the south of France although I’m considering several options.

Last night I got into a heated argument with a very dear friend about the idea of moving in 10 yrs time. He feels the idea is unreachable, illogical, too expensive and I will live to regret it. He’s not normally a negative sort of person so his arguments against moving really bothered me.

It’s become clear that he and I have a very different attitude toward the future. When I said that I’d rather live in a 500 sq. ft cottage in a small village, with a small garden (preferably within walking distance of a vineyard & a library) rather than live in a 4000 sq foot house with a big screen tv in every room and a new car in the driveway he stated very clearly he’d take the big house, tv, car, etc.

I have a pretty clear picture in my head of how I want my life to be in 10 years time. I know that my picture isn’t to everyone’s taste but what I find very interesting is that when I ask most people what their dream life is, they usually can’t give me a clear answer.

What’s the pot of gold for you? What are you working towards? When do you plan to retire? We work hard. We save. We invest. We worry about our portfolios and our retirement savings. We spend hours with our financial planners and run our spreadsheets and worry will we have enough. But what is enough? What’s your goal?

If you want the big house, the car, the cottage and the sailboat that’s great! Do it! If you want to travel the world and stay in only 5 star resorts, do it!

I’m just wondering when did we all stop dreaming about that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

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Merlene’s “Bucket List” 2008

In response to being tagged in Jeff Pulver’s “Bucket List” 2008 note on Facebook I’ve spent a day thinking about what should be on my own list. In 2007 I made the decision to end my marriage. A relationship that I’d been in since I was 14 years old. This means that pretty much every part of my life is changing. There’s a new Merlene here. I’m not 100% who she is just yet but for now let’s call her Merlene 2.0 (or Merlene in Motion! Thanks Pistachio!)

So here, in no particular order, is my “Bucket List” of things I’d like to accomplish in 2008:

- learn to drive a car. I’m 39 years old and I’ve never driven a car. Since I was a teenager I was discouraged to get my license with comments such as “not everyone was meant to drive” or “I’ll believe it when I see it.” What was originally something I was discouraged about has evolved into a complete phobia to the point where I feel physically ill at the thought of getting behind the wheel of a car. So this is the year that I take a driver’s course. Hell I’ll take 2 or 3 if that’s what it takes. I will get my license.

- take some training courses and certifications. I’ve been wanting to get my certification in home staging and professional organizing for several years now. This year I’m planning to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

- start my own business. Again something I’ve wanted to do for years but have been discouraged by another not to. This year combined with the training above I’m going to start my own contracting business in the areas of professional home staging and organizing. I’ve built up some great contacts in real estate sales and in the world of general contracting. It’s time again to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

- travel. Specifically I want to travel to at least 2 shows/conferences in the new/social media world. I’ve met some great people who I think are doing great things in the changing world of media and I’m excited to learn more and get more involved in things.

- be visiable. I’ve spent much of the last 18 years at home. Literally. I have gone as much as 7 weeks at a stretch without leaving my home. This year I plan to get out and get involved in things: community groups, Toastmasters, local social media groups, etc.

- write. I’ve several book ideas (both fiction and non) and hundreds of blog post and article ideas but I never seem to get myself organized to just write. Again a level of discouragement in that area that’s being eliminated.

- learn. I’m constantly learning new things and I want to continue that. Always.

I have a longer “Bucket List” of sorts that’s more of a 10 yr plan but that can wait for another day.