beyond the uselessness of rush-hour traffic, meetings, the lies of others, the pretence that one’s job is essential and defines one’s life and the many sacrifices made for a buck. To be owned by the machines, the failing system. The selling of one’s soul and spirit daily. The inner dying inside for an illusion of importance and purpose.
As I have said elsewhere, I have never regretted retiring early at 52 and having this much freedom since. It has been most me–what most of my life has been about–being my own person, being true to myself.
Ten things are necessary for daily living: freedom, family, civilized moments of being, curiosity, humor, music, good conversation, the experience of beauty, true sensibility, and always having something to look forward to.
The rest of it–the consuming ‘sold-out’ digital life, wars, violence, portfolios, hypocrisy, cynicism, corruption, phone solicitations, advertising, fame and celebrity obsession, cruelty, barbarism, dumbing down, care-less government, declining social systems–is off my radar.
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.–Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Ulysses”