So life has been pretty hectic around here for the last few months. We downsized in the goal of becoming financially independent to retire early and hit the road full time. To do this we had to buy a lake cabin that needed a total redo inside, including extermination of several rats who had decided to take up residence in the vacant building.
Joe’s vision for how things can be good is much better than mine. I was all but totally against it, he is pretty persuasive however, and I always seem to be drawn in by his optimism. So here I sit, not in our heavily leverage 2100sf “dream home” that we built in 2018, but in a much more cozy 1200sf lake house built many decades ago. Life is not much different, I have to admit, except we can now fully embrace our race to living on the road, as we have achieved financial independence. Sometimes, I have found, even when you really want something its hard to give up the things that you already have. Sacrificing what is comfortable to make progress toward your dream goals is difficult- and for me its very scary. I’m always afraid to move forward. I’m afraid that if I give up what I have I won’t ever have anything better. I’m very often unwilling to make room for anything new. This process is showing me that about myself. I cling to everything I have when in my heart I know it’s not really what I want. I want to live a life as simple and free as I can, still I allow fear to creep in. Moth and Rust, Joe keeps reminding me. It’s a verse that we have and many conversations about: Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
My heart, I’m ashamed to say, is in the stuff I can gather around myself.
-Nikole
SailingTerraFirma 