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06 December 2012

It was Teddy Roosevelt who said "Comparison is the thief of joy".

As I contemplate more and more the idea of crowd-funding or sponsorship for our adventure I ask myself 'who do you think you are?' and am reminded that there are a whole lot of other deserving people out there too.  I start comparing and then feel like I ought to give up before I have even tried.  I compare myself to other location independent travellers, to 'qualified' professionals, and my peers.

So in case you had any illusions I thought that I would state for the record who I am not.

I am not:

  • a graphic designer or website guru (although I am learning about website design)
  • an extrovert (I value my privacy)
  • a journalist  (I would hope that what I write is fluent and intelligent)
  • a photographer (I am reading up on how to become better)
  • a super mum (I do the best that I can and if that means I do a little something extra that is a bonus)
  • perfect (I do hate letting people down)
  • qualified (I haven't been to university as I didn't have the money up front, and then life happened.  Life coincidentally has taught me much.)

However I am;

  • human
  • passionate
  • organised
  • strong
  • creative
  • honest
  • real
  • grateful
  • a hard worker
  • a homeschooling mum dedicated to wanting the best for my children
  • a loyal wife

You will undoubtedly learn more about me/us as you join us on this journey.  I only hope you are not disappointed.  

My intention in sharing this part of our family adventures with you is that something here will inspire you to be more of who you are, to embrace life, and to nurture and realise your dreams.

Carpe momentum!

Be kind to yourself and focus on your character traits and values as opposed to your roles and qualifications.

26 November 2012

Porangahau Bridge, Central Hawkes Bay

Three things came my way today, that lead me to believe that we are on the right path planning to be location independent.

The first was an email meme “ As you journey through life & its Roads and Paths…" (PDF download)
 
This quote: Take nothing for your journey,” Jesus instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes" Luke 9.3 (NLT).
 
As well as this one ““If you engage in travel, you will arrive.” Ibn Arabi”
 
While I would find it hard to take the second quote literally with a family, instead it sort of encouraged me that things will work themselves out of the uncertainty that is preparation.
 
There are so many if's, but's, and how's in the period between when you first have the idea to travel, and the actual travelling. It is here in no-mans-travel-land that you realise that as with anything else in life there are your perfect plans, your not-going-there plans and then the areas of compromise in between.
 
The phase of beginning is itself a right of passage. You start to frame your decisions from a different perspective.
 
In the past few weeks I have experienced a loosening of ties to things physically around me, knowing full well, that all this 'stuff' can not come with us. To be perfectly honest that is something that I am looking forward to, but on a more primitive level. The less 'stuff' that the children have, the easier it will be for them to keep it tidy, and the less I will have to nag. Well at least that is the plan.
 
I feel wrong in clipping Vega's attachment to 'stuff' aka clothing and material in this way, but that girl has got 4-5 times what I do in my wardrobe.
 

I don't think I mentioned that we have all sorted through our clothing and footwear in the last month.  The most challenging part in the process is getting rid of the items we don't need in a timely (read that fast enough so they don't end up sitting around for too long) manner. Just recently I had found a family to pass clothing on to, and whatever they didn't need they passed onto the op shop. So that is definitely one route. Another is to take the time to try and sell it in a garage or car boot sale, especially as we will need every cent we can for our journey.

What might you need to let go of to move forward?

08 November 2012

So how does one start the process of considering a vagabond lifestyle with a largish family?

What we have done predominantly so far, is make lists. Ok, so it's me that's started them off!

  • What are our reasons for doing this tour? What goals might we have along the way (ie intellectually, physically, socially, spiritually etc)? Who do we want to be?
  • What would each of us take? Clothing and other possessions. What extra equipment have other family's found useful?
  • Where do we want to go? What do we want to experience?
  • What has to happen before we leave? Ie house repairs, cessation of services, insurances, business exit strategy etc
  • What was our budget for the last 12 months? What could it be for the next 12 months?
  • What could we do to earn a satisfactory living whilst location independent – immediately, short term (3-6 months) and longer term (12 months)? How will we access the internet?
  • What amenities / services / shops etc do we need to know where they are, in each place we go to in order for the family needs and our experience objectives to be met?

While all this may seem onerous to some, it helps me get things out of my head and clears the way for the next 'thought' to enter.

Lists are also a great way of others seeing what you are thinking, becoming involved and adding their perspective too.

Write out what your perfect life would be like.

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