Interesting piece, Robert. Really makes one think. I'm far more in tune with nature than most, and I think I'd like to go back in time, but no running water? I've never even considered it. My husband and I will eventually move to Belize, and we intend to scale way back on our conveniences and material 'needs.' But what I'm picturing is still more luxurious than what most Belizeans have. And as you say, they seem far happier than most Westerners. Even if we don't want them, those Western expectations are still there, somewhere in our minds, and I don't imagine we can ever get rid of them. I've worked with a lot of Mexican immigrants throughout my life, and being around them always brought out a certain type of envy. They always seemed so content and easy-going, no matter how hard the work was, or how long they'd been there, or how hot it was. No matter what was going on around them, they were smiling and joking around, just grateful to be alive and employed. And somewhere nearby were their frowning American coworkers. No matter how hard I try, I don't know if I'm capable of experiencing that same level of contentment.
Indeed. The expectations both spoken and unwritten. I would be nice to think this was all part of some grand plan, but really, I just kinda stumbled here. But in arriving, questioning those expectations became easier. The frowning co-workers. They certainly weren't helping my contentment and things have certainly improved since putting them behind me!
Tasmania is my Belize, and the contentment was slow in coming. Your comment is packed with self-awareness and understanding which is step one and as such, contentment is likely to sneak up on you when you least expect it!
How is Hank travelling? (I hope I got his name right)
Sadly, Hank is no longer with us. This is a fairly recent development, and it still stings pretty badly. He was thirteen and a half, which is elderly for a pig, but since my last pig lived to be twenty, it feels a little premature. This does get us closer to Belize, though, as he was too large and too old to move overseas. I sure do miss that guy. As for contentment, I know it will be easier to come by when I’m out of this country, as the negativity here is oppressive. I don’t work anymore, and I’ve stopped watching or reading the news, but I still feel it every time I leave the house.
Sorry to hear that, it always feels premature. I was in the hardware store the other day and a man had a dog that looked just like Rex. I almost cried. So much of Western culture revolves around ideas of work. It’s one thing sitting around at the shack, not having a shower. But turning up to work ungroomed? Heresy. Right now, I can feel the intensity of what life in America entails and I can get a feeling of how oppressive that is.
Dear Robert, how this resonates with me. This coming from a man presently unemployed since April, 2023, and who has every convenience, in terms of survival at least. But this also means I seek ways to connect with nature, with that connection (often) being the only purpose, and I fantasize regularly about living closer to the Earth. Nature is truly wondrous, and I don't agree with how we destroy it for this convenience. And I don't believe the convenience brings us more joy, only allows more time to fill, usually with work. Most people are so obsessed with money... there's always a void to fill... meanwhile, my outdoor walks (generally ranging 1-3 hours, with the occasional 4-5) could nary be replaced. What we have doesn't feel like progress to me, only forced change. I wouldn't doubt that certain ancient societies lost to our annals lasted much longer, with less "progress" as we recognize it, simply through the prioritization of natural well-being, for the Earth and ourselves. Most jobs today are unhealthy for the Earth and the worker, while the product is unhealthy for the consumer alike. This isn't to say I don't appreciate any modern inventions, especially as life wouldn't be the same without my Marshall amplifier to plug the Ibanez into... as much as I love playing unplugged too... but how nature is wondrous. And a great part of me is desperate to learn how to live with it more closely. More harmoniously. And perhaps someday I'll work it out. I truly appreciated this read.
I'm still thinking about: "We know we should be showing up with truth, society says so, but we’re somewhat confused as to how we’re supposed to it in the authorised fashion. Once again, issues and actions that society should be addressing as a whole, are being are being imposed on the individual."
This has also been heavily on my mind lately, as I feel powerless to change things that can only be impacted by the involvement/withdrawal of many others with me, yet endeavour to make a change anyway. I myself not living the life I believe I should be living is a gigantic obstacle however, I'm realizing presently... so yeah, it's a whole thing. I have so few needs, and happiness comes to me easily, the more aligned I live with my beliefs. I'm confident I can pull it off, if I learn the ways. I can certainly set an intention of it.
You're awesome, man, thank you for sharing this. I'll review my notes before meditating tonight. I started again yesterday. Take care for now.
I don't think we're entirely powerless, words for example, can have power, but what power we do have is very limited. The first step to any meaningful answer is working out what the hell the question is in the first place. That's nowhere near as easy as it seems. And no, I'm not giving up my guitar either. Examining the assumption that there is only one "right" way to live is a starting point.
From overthinking my answers to overthinking my questions... damn, this journey has only just begun... 🤣 No, I get it though. I'm tempted to believe I'm all powerful anyway, as overreaching can help reach a little higher than reaching directly for your goal... until you reach too high and topple over the banister, or go floating into space. 🤔 I'll work it out... I'll think on this concept of refining my questions, anyway. I feel I've been too chaotic lately, not consciously directing myself sufficiently by any means.
Very appropriate, considering your roots haha I think it's very accurate though too. And it reminds of me some lyrics from a song I love, 'Call Our Ships to Port' by Covenant--
Water. Here we see the rivers dwindle to nothing, rivers like the Colorado which so many depend on. And so many abuse. Golf courses in deserts next to reservations where people have no access to water. Or clean water. As an engineer you know there is little clean water left on the planet. When I retired to this rural area many years ago it was my first experience with a well. I didn't understand a well situation in an area suffering a long time drought. The water table shrinking. I overused it trying to recover my pastures. It went dry. I was 10 months without water. I was lucky. I could haul water from a neighbors and pump it into the trough. I showered and laundered at another neighbors but learned to keep clean without doing that too much. And clean drinking water from another neighbor. It made for a long winter. But a great appreciation for water was born. When I finally got someone here to drill a well it ended up being 520 ft. deep. My previous well was 45 ft. As the global temperature rises the ground water becomes more contaminated. 45 ft deep is considered ground water. Maybe I was lucky again, forced to drill deep. Living in a wildfire prone area and having hoses prepared is important. Hoses need water. I still conserve water as much as possible. Respect. Your shack is good prep for the future. Each drop of water we use is a gift. I enjoyed your article immensely.
Golf courses. Bloody hell. Tasmania has weird geography so some place are flush with water, while others are quite barren. But yeh, how did golf courses becomes a bigger infrastructure incentive than clean drinking water? Another aspect of Tassie's geography with many rivers, estuaries and harbours is it makes centralised infrastructure like water and sewerage difficult. Decentralisation has its benefits, but more points of failure.
OMG, I just discovered that Earth Abides has been made into a TV Series! That book really touches on the idea of people being trapped by their mindset. I can relate to the importance of neighbours. The difference between the givers and the takers, and the reality that if you want to hang with the givers, you've gotta be one yourself.
Bushfires here too. All told, for any contentment, the existential dread of the day that the creek stops running.
I miss the camping trips of my youth, lugging in water or purification tablets and finding a suitable creek. We really do take so much for granted, maybe if we were a little less comfortable these days we would appreciate things a little more. Would love to know more about your shack and the history behind it. Worth a story of its own I reckon.
Interesting piece, Robert. Really makes one think. I'm far more in tune with nature than most, and I think I'd like to go back in time, but no running water? I've never even considered it. My husband and I will eventually move to Belize, and we intend to scale way back on our conveniences and material 'needs.' But what I'm picturing is still more luxurious than what most Belizeans have. And as you say, they seem far happier than most Westerners. Even if we don't want them, those Western expectations are still there, somewhere in our minds, and I don't imagine we can ever get rid of them. I've worked with a lot of Mexican immigrants throughout my life, and being around them always brought out a certain type of envy. They always seemed so content and easy-going, no matter how hard the work was, or how long they'd been there, or how hot it was. No matter what was going on around them, they were smiling and joking around, just grateful to be alive and employed. And somewhere nearby were their frowning American coworkers. No matter how hard I try, I don't know if I'm capable of experiencing that same level of contentment.
Indeed. The expectations both spoken and unwritten. I would be nice to think this was all part of some grand plan, but really, I just kinda stumbled here. But in arriving, questioning those expectations became easier. The frowning co-workers. They certainly weren't helping my contentment and things have certainly improved since putting them behind me!
Tasmania is my Belize, and the contentment was slow in coming. Your comment is packed with self-awareness and understanding which is step one and as such, contentment is likely to sneak up on you when you least expect it!
How is Hank travelling? (I hope I got his name right)
Sadly, Hank is no longer with us. This is a fairly recent development, and it still stings pretty badly. He was thirteen and a half, which is elderly for a pig, but since my last pig lived to be twenty, it feels a little premature. This does get us closer to Belize, though, as he was too large and too old to move overseas. I sure do miss that guy. As for contentment, I know it will be easier to come by when I’m out of this country, as the negativity here is oppressive. I don’t work anymore, and I’ve stopped watching or reading the news, but I still feel it every time I leave the house.
Sorry to hear that, it always feels premature. I was in the hardware store the other day and a man had a dog that looked just like Rex. I almost cried. So much of Western culture revolves around ideas of work. It’s one thing sitting around at the shack, not having a shower. But turning up to work ungroomed? Heresy. Right now, I can feel the intensity of what life in America entails and I can get a feeling of how oppressive that is.
Dear Robert, how this resonates with me. This coming from a man presently unemployed since April, 2023, and who has every convenience, in terms of survival at least. But this also means I seek ways to connect with nature, with that connection (often) being the only purpose, and I fantasize regularly about living closer to the Earth. Nature is truly wondrous, and I don't agree with how we destroy it for this convenience. And I don't believe the convenience brings us more joy, only allows more time to fill, usually with work. Most people are so obsessed with money... there's always a void to fill... meanwhile, my outdoor walks (generally ranging 1-3 hours, with the occasional 4-5) could nary be replaced. What we have doesn't feel like progress to me, only forced change. I wouldn't doubt that certain ancient societies lost to our annals lasted much longer, with less "progress" as we recognize it, simply through the prioritization of natural well-being, for the Earth and ourselves. Most jobs today are unhealthy for the Earth and the worker, while the product is unhealthy for the consumer alike. This isn't to say I don't appreciate any modern inventions, especially as life wouldn't be the same without my Marshall amplifier to plug the Ibanez into... as much as I love playing unplugged too... but how nature is wondrous. And a great part of me is desperate to learn how to live with it more closely. More harmoniously. And perhaps someday I'll work it out. I truly appreciated this read.
I'm still thinking about: "We know we should be showing up with truth, society says so, but we’re somewhat confused as to how we’re supposed to it in the authorised fashion. Once again, issues and actions that society should be addressing as a whole, are being are being imposed on the individual."
This has also been heavily on my mind lately, as I feel powerless to change things that can only be impacted by the involvement/withdrawal of many others with me, yet endeavour to make a change anyway. I myself not living the life I believe I should be living is a gigantic obstacle however, I'm realizing presently... so yeah, it's a whole thing. I have so few needs, and happiness comes to me easily, the more aligned I live with my beliefs. I'm confident I can pull it off, if I learn the ways. I can certainly set an intention of it.
You're awesome, man, thank you for sharing this. I'll review my notes before meditating tonight. I started again yesterday. Take care for now.
I don't think we're entirely powerless, words for example, can have power, but what power we do have is very limited. The first step to any meaningful answer is working out what the hell the question is in the first place. That's nowhere near as easy as it seems. And no, I'm not giving up my guitar either. Examining the assumption that there is only one "right" way to live is a starting point.
From overthinking my answers to overthinking my questions... damn, this journey has only just begun... 🤣 No, I get it though. I'm tempted to believe I'm all powerful anyway, as overreaching can help reach a little higher than reaching directly for your goal... until you reach too high and topple over the banister, or go floating into space. 🤔 I'll work it out... I'll think on this concept of refining my questions, anyway. I feel I've been too chaotic lately, not consciously directing myself sufficiently by any means.
I think life is more like a boat on a river than a car on a freeway. You don’t drive, you navigate.
Very appropriate, considering your roots haha I think it's very accurate though too. And it reminds of me some lyrics from a song I love, 'Call Our Ships to Port' by Covenant--
"A hundred clocks are ticking
The line becomes a circle
Spin the wheel of fortune
Or learn to navigate..."
I must learn to navigate...
Water. Here we see the rivers dwindle to nothing, rivers like the Colorado which so many depend on. And so many abuse. Golf courses in deserts next to reservations where people have no access to water. Or clean water. As an engineer you know there is little clean water left on the planet. When I retired to this rural area many years ago it was my first experience with a well. I didn't understand a well situation in an area suffering a long time drought. The water table shrinking. I overused it trying to recover my pastures. It went dry. I was 10 months without water. I was lucky. I could haul water from a neighbors and pump it into the trough. I showered and laundered at another neighbors but learned to keep clean without doing that too much. And clean drinking water from another neighbor. It made for a long winter. But a great appreciation for water was born. When I finally got someone here to drill a well it ended up being 520 ft. deep. My previous well was 45 ft. As the global temperature rises the ground water becomes more contaminated. 45 ft deep is considered ground water. Maybe I was lucky again, forced to drill deep. Living in a wildfire prone area and having hoses prepared is important. Hoses need water. I still conserve water as much as possible. Respect. Your shack is good prep for the future. Each drop of water we use is a gift. I enjoyed your article immensely.
Golf courses. Bloody hell. Tasmania has weird geography so some place are flush with water, while others are quite barren. But yeh, how did golf courses becomes a bigger infrastructure incentive than clean drinking water? Another aspect of Tassie's geography with many rivers, estuaries and harbours is it makes centralised infrastructure like water and sewerage difficult. Decentralisation has its benefits, but more points of failure.
OMG, I just discovered that Earth Abides has been made into a TV Series! That book really touches on the idea of people being trapped by their mindset. I can relate to the importance of neighbours. The difference between the givers and the takers, and the reality that if you want to hang with the givers, you've gotta be one yourself.
Bushfires here too. All told, for any contentment, the existential dread of the day that the creek stops running.
I understand that dread, the creek dry, dystopia creeping closer yet still surrounded by paradise. I want the good guys to win :)
I miss the camping trips of my youth, lugging in water or purification tablets and finding a suitable creek. We really do take so much for granted, maybe if we were a little less comfortable these days we would appreciate things a little more. Would love to know more about your shack and the history behind it. Worth a story of its own I reckon.
I hate the shampoo commercial reenactment. The first time I saw it, I couldn't believe it.
I keep hoping people, especially tourists, understand the consequences of their impulses.