I am reading Greenlights. It is a real good book so far. I love stories and he is a great story teller . I read a quote that I really liked. The quote is , When we know what we want to do, knowing when to do it, is the hard part.
Those words resonated with me. But I didn't know why? It made me think about the first line. Knowing what we want to do? What is it that I want to do? Write songs? Yes, I 'm already doing that. I know what it is that I want to do. i want to retire. I am tired of jumping through hoops. I'm not against jumping through hoops. I find great satisfaction jumping through hoops. It is a goal. It is achievable. It gives me satisfaction to achieve goals.
The problem is that they are somebody else's goals. My goals are set by my bosses at work. Oh, but what if I was in control and I set the goals. I worked to achieve my goals and not somebody else's goal. How satisfying would that be? Sounds pretty great to me.
I got the first part of this saying down. I know what I want to do. (Retire,) The second part is tougher. Knowing when to do it is the hard part. When? Today? Tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year? or wait until I'm sixty-five? Or wait until I can't stand my job for another day?
I don't do well with change. I like a routine. Go to bed at 9, up at 5:30, church on Sunday, mow the yard on my day off, drive the same route to and from work each day, etc. I'm not a gambler or a risk taker. I don't buy lottery tickets. Don't enjoy gong to the Casino. I'd rather buy a cup of coffee for a dollar than to waste it on a lottery ticket. I continue in my normal schedule because that is what I do. I am a rat in a maze.
I've made some life choices that could of been better. Working at a grocery store is not going to allow you to retire early and vacation in exotic places year round. I have not spent my life saving for retirement. No, it has been spent trying to pay the mortgage, utilities, doctor bills, car repairs, etc. I'm not bitter about where I am. It has been a good ride but the next stage feels scary. Maybe the monster is in my mind. I was talking to my friend Dave. Dave retired from being an airline pilot. He was worried also, and I am sure his finances are better than mine.
Let me share another thing. This is what I want to do when I retire. I want to pursue this songwriting dream. I would like to play my songs anywhere and everywhere I can. Topeka, Nashville, coffee shops, churches, etc. Will I make any money doing this? (Laugh out Loud) I am going to chase the dream until I retire and continue the dream after I retire. Knowing when to do it is the hard part.