What drives you?

For so long in my life there were things that I wanted to achieve. When I was in elementary school I wanted to finish High School. When I was in High School I wanted...hmm.... let's say "to get a girlfriend". Close enough. When I was in University I wanted to get a degree and a good paying job. When I had a job I wanted to ... let's say get a girlfriend... who would hopefully become a wife. When I have a wife? I wanted to get a home and have kids. When I had a home and kids I wanted to ... well... just survive. Kids are tough.

Actually when I had a job I just wanted to not have a job and have a life where my time was my own.

However, financial freedom comes with a lot of planning. My mind pretty much said I would have to build up a HUGE pile of cash OR learn to live a quiet lifestyle with very few bills.

Most people work hard to get rich.

Look around you. There are ads everywhere showing you all the cool stuff that you can buy if you have money. New phones. New cars. New houses. New clothes. Tasty food. New experiences. The intent is clear: buy, buy, BUY

But I took a different path

On my first trip to the Philippines I learned something that fundamentally changed the way I look at life. I met some wonderful people who had a much better life than I did with an income a tiny fraction of mine.

Their life was full without much money.

They had time to meet with friends. They could drop everything and go to the beach. They took time to cook their own food and ate better than I did. Sure they were pretty broke and had to make due with what they had but it fundamentally changed my viewpoint on life.

Don't strive for more, strive to enjoy what you have

and as I looked further...

The average Filipino at the time typically had very limited or not monthly bills. No phone line, no gas bill, no water, sewer and garbage bill, limited electricity (and often stolen from the power pole...but that's a different article).

No monthly bills and you are free. No dependence on material things and you are even freer. Since that time I've been looking very hard to living a lifestyle free from the chains of society.

Not that I don't want to be part of society!

Don't get me wrong. I like society. I like going to church. I like having internet and connecting with people. I like modern conveniences like laptops, lightbulbs, cellphones and so on. The difference is that I try very hard to avoid the monthly contracts and complicated items that are either expensive to replace or difficult to repair / maintain.

To fit that I have had one overarching goal for my entire life:

• Build a self sustainable off grid lifestyle where I could survive and thrive with virtually zero income and very little dependence on external help. To do that I started two projects. One project in the Philippines and one project in Canada.

... and I have been working on those projects for years.

It's hard to get things done when you don't go with what people expect

Unfortunately I learned that in a city there are bylaws and guidelines that mean you have to conform to what everyone else is doing. You must connect to the electrical grid. You are required to, well, do what everyone else is doing. If you go far enough outside of the cities that you can do your own things! Well, good luck trying to find a professional to build your dream. (sigh).

That is why I have two project which have been ongoing for 20 years and are finally getting close to completion. Indeed, my project in the Philippines I just yesterday spent my first day in. I spent my first night in it last year but it was too rough to be called a home. Is it finished? Not at all... but its close enough that if it never got completed I'd still be able to live here for the long term. I'd just always have things that would annoy me because I know it could be much easier with just a little bit more finish.

The place in Rosswood (Canada). Again, close to finished. I spent my first day there last summer. It needs a lot of landscaping, clearing and general work. It needs to get the water system finished. However, at this time it is possible to live there full time but again, with little annoyances that just a few more improvements would make a huge difference.

If I had to make a bucket list?

Completing my two off grid projects would certainly be the first things I want to do.

Anything else?

Well, the thing about a bucket list is that you are supposed to "check things off" as you do them. The problem is that the only thing left on my "To Do" list is self improvement.

• I have always wanted to take up a martial art.

• I have always wanted to get a fit, strong, and trim body.

• I have always wanted to be flexible and agile.

Like... for as long as I can remember.

Unfortunately something always got in the way of having the time to devote to those ideals.

But the day is finally coming.

Now that I'm retired (mostly) I have little excuse not to actually accomplish those goals. I can go to a weekly class without worrying about job interference or activities with the kids. I can go to the gym regularly without it getting constantly interrupted by other chores that need to be done.

I can choose to be the best me possible as I get older.

Now age may limit exactly how much progress I make but at least its a path I can follow for the rest of the years I have.

Will there ever be a day when I can say "I'm a fit and trim expert martial artist?" Unlikely. But maybe someday I an look in the mirror and say "hmm... actually I think I've done pretty well with the body I was given".

That would certainly be a day to remember.

That is it for my Hive Learners post. Unfortunately my Discord has been down for the week (wish I knew what was up with that) so I actually got the wrong information on the last post prompt and I wrote about the same prompt twice (silly me). I think I got this one on time and on topic so I'm pretty happy with that.

Thanks for reading this far and as always I appreciate the eyes, and love getting comments if you are so inclined. In case you wondered what my three bucket list items are from the post prompt:

1. Finish my Filipino home
2. Finish my Rosswood home
3. Finish getting my body up to the best it can be

... and enjoy using each of them for the days I have left :)