What does it take to change your life?

T

tparrent

New member
I am sitting in slip 19 at the Hessel, MI marina in the beautiful Les Cheneaux islands of northern Lake Huron. The days this far north are very long with dusk around 930. When I woke up this morning at 530, it was already fully light outside. Given these long days (not to mention the wonderfully cool nights for curling up in a light sleeping bag), I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on my path here and my path going forward.

But don’t worry, I won’t bore you with that! Well, maybe a little.

I will relate one funny incident. A major financial company in Chicago contacted me last week regarding a new position that seemed tailor made for me. I went through a series of phone interviews and was scheduled to have the last one this past Tuesday. I got a call late in the afternoon from HR.

“What happened? Why weren’t you on the call today?”

I thought for a moment and then honestly replied, “Who is this, what call are you talking about and what day is it anyway?”

Another recruiter for a job down south left an urgent message because his client wanted to see me first thing next week. Arriving on Monday would show my commitment to the opportunity. I passed.

I’ve been gone so long, I really don’t think I can get back in the business game. That’s what I thought yesterday. Then I carefully counted the nights spent afloat. Three. Three nights and a complete change in attitude. Gosh, you kind of wonder what would have happened if I had been granted the vacation I earned. Maybe I would have relaxed enough to have stayed.

One of the benefits cruisers enjoy, I have been told, is that they get to meet all kinds of interesting people. Well, I’m not a real sociable guy so that’s just one experience I’ll have to miss. At least I thought so until Monday. Folks had been so nice to me in taking care of little problems that I thought I would reciprocate and actually reach out a bit to people I ran across.

I started talking to waitresses, gas station attendants, fishermen – anyone I came across.

Most of all, of course, I talk to people who come to see the boat. I am a very introverted person one on one and have a real problem meeting people. Good thing I bought a C Dory ☺ Just like they do at home with my C Dory 16, when people see this boat they just want to take a look and talk about it. Many of you have experienced the same, I am sure. People always come up to me at the launch ramp and I figured I would not have those encounters since I only launch every few days. Not true! People come up to me On The Water! Of course, they also stop by in the marina. One guy today saw me on the water from his house at noon and drove 20 miles looking for me so he could take a closer look at the boat. We ended up talking for three hours about everything under the sun.

I figured I would do what I’ve always wanted others to do – invite me to take a look at their boat. So now when I see someone giving the C Dory a long look, I call out to them to come over and check it out. Come aboard, poke around.

I have met more interesting people in three days, by far, then I have in the past three years. The best part is not one of them cares what I do for a living (nothing at the moment, just too busy living). They do care about where I’ve been, where I’m going, how do I handle the boat on my own, what do I expect to see – in short, all of the things that I care about.

This is all wonderfully reinforcing because when they inevitably ask, “How long will you be cruising?” and I reply “Until the snow flies,” I know that I have made a sort of commitment to actually follow through and do this right.

Next week I will be back in North Carolina to see Spike and go to the doctor with him. Then I will head back for more northern water therapy.

By the way, I do have a whole basket of what I hope are interesting stories. I just need to get a day or two of bad weather so I can hole up and finish them. But not yet as there are a few more islands to explore and people to meet.
 
:thup :thup You go, boy!

Seems that we have always owned "interesting" boats, as people have always come up to us to ask about the different boats. Certainly, the C-Dory attracts a lot of attention, especially when people figure out that you are from a long ways away. We have encountered a lot of BIG boat owners who are interested in the trailerability aspect.

Good luck with this journey of discovery, Tom. Enjoy the people you meet along the way, relish the quiet coves, soak in all the beauty around you. It's not a cubicle or even a corner office - it's SO much more than that. I had a number of offers the first few years away from our careers, but it wasn't until one of them was about running a boat made me even consider the offer. And here we are, on our "fun summer jobs." :wink: Last year, I had three real job offers from people I met on the cruise boat... one of those offers was from a large financial firm who thought I'd be a good fit in HR. :mrgreen: That guy came back for three cruises. I finally said to him, "Would my office have a view like this? Oh, and can I take off 8 1/2 months each year?" 8)

There will always be another offer if you are looking, and often if you aren't. Will there always be another opportunity to find your "inner extrovert" on a boat... cruising where and when you want?

Right here, right now, may just be the most important "offer" of your life. Good luck with the path you choose.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
You list your occupation as "Hiatus." Interesting.

I was very fortunate in my career and assignments. On the other hand, I realized that after 25 or 30 years almost anything can become drudgery. Good drudgery, well paying drudgery, exciting drudgery, but the fact that you're still shackled to that golden plow is still stifling.

As I neared retirement I actually discussed taking a 6-12 month sabbatical from work, and thought that if that were to occur I might actually be willing to stay another five years or so. Federal civil service is usually not given to creative personnel management, and the first thing I encountered was: "Who would replace you?" I suggested that one of my assistant's could easily learn and grow from filling-in for the boss for a few months. No sale.

I figured that if a longtime employee could actually be permitted some time off, they might return invigorated and really full of ideas and energy. No sale.

It was time to ponder my alternatives. ...and my alternative was Retirement.

Of course that left the question: "Who'd replace me?" ...but now that was their problem to address, not mine.

If you're financial and familial situation permits - I strongly endorse retirement, and if retirement isn't an option a lengthy sabbatical-like "Hiatus" can do wonders for one's lifestyle, outlook, and peace of mind.

Do what's right for You.

Casey
PS: ...of course the other possibility was that they were Anxious for me to retire and Not come back! If so, the strategy worked!
 
What you are experiencing is really great. I am sitting here at my desk, looking at the boxes that I need to put my lifelong career possessions in and thinking what would the last nine years would have been like if I couldn't come to this site for a step into the world of the possible, the fun, the real purpose. This is my last day of work and the first day of freedom. Keep up the good work, think I will join you.
 
Dear tparent:

You must get active at once. Please proceed immediately to free public dock at Cedarville. Please walk two blocks north to Pammis restaurant and enjoy a great sandwich. Then, well fed, please walk one mile east to the Maritime museum. After that navigate to the "beach" between Government Island and LaSalle Island. This idling your life way is intolerable.

Regards,

Mark
 
This must be a new trend. George Hone, from Nanaimo, is going on hiatus from West Marine and taking off for several months + on a similar trip. Hopefully he will see this and comment...

Warren
 
hello tparrent,
i enjoyed reading your story and look forward to hearing more tales of your adventure. it was your original question that pulled me into your post, "what does it take to change your life". my life is changing rapidly, all for the good, but never the less, sad that such a large part of my being is coming to an end. my retirement date is set, jan. 01, 2013. done, finished, over, as far as work is concerned. the sadness comes from parting with a company that i founded, when others sad i would never succeed, nursed along, employed others, including my wife and daughter. well, 37 years have past, the agency has grown to 3,000,000 in annual premium, and is debt free, including the building. the business will stay in the family, as my daughter will purchase the business from my wife and i.
so, what does it take to change your life, knowing there is a limit to the good days left, loss of a loved one, failing health and so on.
linda and are look forward to posting stories like your, telling of adventures realized and planned. our mode of transportation will be boat and motor home, for as many miles as the good lord will allow.
best regards
pat
 
A few things come to mind, a serious health issue, a divorse, trophy wife, winning the lottery, car wreck, plane crash, bear attack, your first real C-Dory cruise, meeting a ton of great people who happen to be C-Brats.
D.D.
 
Well, mine was last October when God, finally annoyed with my inability to stop working 12 hours a day and smell the roses (maybe next year), snorted, leaned over and dropped me to the ground with a a 16" cement block still in my grasp.... Spending the next 3 days with a left hemi paraplegia and a hose up my urethra gave me time to reflect, "Gee, maybe I should listen."...
I went through the usual surgery, rehab, physical therapy for 3 months, and was pushed back into the real life with admonitions about taking it easy (the same stuff I have been saying to others for 35 years)...

Surprisingly, I found it possible to take it easy... We have been to Florida with the tug... I have been busy on the farm and I am putting another field back into production (farming is fun - not w o r k )...
I just test drove a bigger tractor at the dealer this morning (I mean beeg) I may buy...
Anyway, taking it easy it is only taking me about 12 hours a day!
Beeg tractor - ooooh, ahhh!
 
We took a "mid life" hiatus at age 46 for 4 years. It took about 3 months of full time cruising to re-capture the feeling of relaxation (almost) of the summer between high school and college....(I had worked hard that summer, but it was relaxing work, and fun, as the maintance man in a Girl Scout camp. 16 hour working days--and heavy work...but "no worries".

If you are really cruising full time--with minimal set schedule, a boat which is capable and in good condition, and finances to allow an adequate standard of living (does not mean extravent)--then that is certainly one way to change your life outlook. For us it was very hard to put the shoes back on, put on a suit and tie, and go back to work. But we did for 7 more years before final retirement.
 
Hi Warren. My late wife and I got our first cd 19 as a result of perusing this site. So many brats reflect similar takes on life as we had. Having lost Brenda I am comforted that I am able to "kerri on" and gain strength from my friends here. I'm re reading Richard Bach's early work "nothing by chance". It is meant for me to be aboard my Kerri On and travel and meet with friends old and new. In my case it was the unexpected passing of a beloved partner.causing a life change It can go either way to expansion or decline. I conciously choose to expand. Its been said before. How many of us on our deathbed would have wished to have spent more time at work? Laughing. Exploring.seeing family and friends Meeting nature. (Even storms) all good stuff. I like to think Brenda would applaud my new life. HD Thoreau wrote. "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live a life he has imagined....he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. I am willing to trust to the universe to provide for me and lead me. Randy Repass and my colleagues at WM will understand. "Kerri On". George
 
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live a life he has imagined....he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

I have to stop working so much...
 
tparrent stated, "Gosh, you kind of wonder what would have happened if I had been granted the vacation I earned. Maybe I would have relaxed enough to have stayed. "

I'm fortunate to work in the industry I do and have the ability to keep good talent BY allowing them to take time off. One of my team members is climbing Machu Picchu in Peru right now. Lucky her, lucky me!

Happiness is elusive. If you've found it, hold on to it dearly, it's more precious than gold.

All my best,
 
This thread hits home with me. When I retired from a vocation that I loved a few years ago I did the life of play for a couple of years and then got to feeling useless. Guess that's because I worked since I was about 12 years old at something. After that couple of years I got into civic associations, boards and other things and started a small business. Now I have cut back on everything except the business. I still love the work and all and my partners but would like to get to the mindset that doesn't worry about being "useful" to anyone but myself and wife. Guess I need some C-Brats counseling.

Way to go tparrent.

Harper
 
At 56 yrs. of age I retired from a very stressful job in the arctic Alaska oil field after 29 yrs. of service. Physical problems were the basic cause. I had and still have a good pension and medical benefits. After many miles (two pick-ups worth)of RVing all over the US and Mexico, days of fishing, many hours of counting my toes and considering my navel the opportunity to go back as a consultant to my previous client presented itself. I rejected it at first but then my wife proclaimed...."get out of the house and do something useful". Well I did. I took the opportunity. What made it appealing was the thought that if it did not work out I could just quit. I did not need the job to eat or survive. It made my mindset much more relaxed and enjoyable. After 3 yrs. that job ended and it was perfect timing. My want to got up and went.
So.......I am back to wearing out my new pick-up, more fishing in my new boat, enjoying my new paid for beach home and more toe counting and navel consideration.
It is working out just fine. No more proclamations from the wife either.
Don't hesitate to retire if you have your $$$$ all lined up to carry you and mama to the box.

Life is good on the beach and on my boat.
 
Well, I was looking over the recent posts and happened to notice the one about underwater cameras. I really have no interest in cameras, underwater or otherwise, but I was struck by the fact that the thread was started just three years ago by Caty. I never met her, but I always enjoyed her upbeat posts. It was so obvious that she was living life to the fullest and wherever she was it seemed that was where she wanted to be. When some disagreement arose on the C-Brats, as sometime inevitably it does, she posted the following:

"Ahem.....life's too short, guys"

Shortly after that, really very shortly after, Caty was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away.

Sometimes, like right now, I look around and realize how blessed, or perhaps how lucky, I am, here and now.
 
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