While my life-changes may not have kept up with the hues & texture of my hair, I firmly believe change is necessary to live life to its fullest. However, if financial changes are fewest & farthest between, so be it, as I will always opt to carpe diem.

|_|) “One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.” ~ André Gide

“And so it was in a hushed tone the First Mate timidly commented that perhaps the submarine may sink where upon the Captain calmly and confidently remarked not to worry … we’re already under water.”

I have to admit societal ideals have never appealed to me so I appropriately, if also prophetically, warned RhodesTer early on that I’d rather be poor & happy.. It was really to request he never put financial pursuits over creative ones & obliged he has.

|_|) “When we are what we want to be, that’s happiness.” ~ Malcolm Forbes

In our case, I don’t even have the option of a typical 9-5 as daycare costs alone would eat up 2/3 of my paycheck anyway and my husband makes so little, it’s laughable… but it’s a stable job.

I sincerely hope you’re able to find a solution to your conundrum. It’s tough when you’re not walking lockstep with society’s standards, but I hope you both are at least happy, if a bit poor.

As you know, I eat/drink/sleep/salivate the teachings of Abraham as presented by Esther and Jerry Hicks. They have a new book, THE ASTONISHING POWER OF EMOTIONS: Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide, published by Hay House. In Chapter 12, they address, I Have So Little Money, with No Improvement in Sight. I’ll happily send you a copy of the book (there’s also a CD with it) if you’d like to have it. If not, NO PROBLEM.

I just love the way Abraham clarifies that getting what we want in life is about aligning one’s thoughts. It’s not primarily an action process, although we’re inspired to take easy action as a result of first aligning our thoughts. The depth and breadth of these teachings is beyond words.

Ha — so I’ll quit. Wish you the best, dear one.

I do thank you kindly for your thoughtful offer tho’ I’ll pass. While my faith in God more than sustains me, I have no doubt of the power of the mind. After all, it’s His design & I know the resulting psychosomatic nature of life intimately. As you witnessed back in Ashland, the fact that I’m even functional is a daily testament to mindset. It’s not that we’re failing to create — or envision — a successful life, we’re simply still forging the correct path to it. Case in point; “Life: Explained” [kindly ignore the unfortunate url]

your once-neighbor |_|) “It is never too late to be who you might have been.” ~ George Eliot

The naysaying of money both from those of us who have no choice and the likes of Dylan who had so much does seem too easy. Yet, to achieve contentment in either circumstance, it’s a question of focus. FWIW, Bob certainly seemed more invested in the process than his success. In turn, how right you are, we have to be true to who we are to be happy.

confirmed bohemian |_|) “Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.” ~ David Frost