Poor but rich ... big city small world in California ... (Montclair: how much, living in)

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by urbanr0cker

I would commit suicide if I had reached old age and realized I had not met my full potential, sure. It doesn't have so much to do with material possessions as it does potential. There's something very wrong with settling.

How does one "know" what their "full potential" is? Who among us mortal beings can fathom consciousness -- let alone spirit? How can there be a final arrival at a potential -- as if potential is finite? And what could be better served than the amorphic wonder we call love? I do not know how Reuben Pardo, or Norma and Gordon Yeager could do / have done better than to "settle" for such a fulfillment as they seem to have found.

I'd gladly 'settle' for the pleasure of simply holding my late wife's hand one more time, if only fleetingly.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

Many of us are taught to believe that education, money, and success are the only path to happiness. The urban rat-race only reinforces this belief. Mr. Pardo has somehow managed to avoid it.

I've escaped it twice, only to return to it later. Looking back, I was happier working simple jobs for less hours and less pay. I had more time to chill. More time to look out the window and ponder the world. More time to do me.

+1

I love how Mr Pardo has figured it out. I think it has a lot to do with priorities. Sounds so simple doesnt it.

Its the actual implementation of such an outlook that I think holds me back from 'doing me' and being content with less that what I have now.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

+1

I love how Mr Pardo has figured it out. I think it has a lot to do with priorities. Sounds so simple doesnt it.

Its the actual implementation of such an outlook that I think holds me back from 'doing me' and being content with less that what I have now.

I personally ended up in easier situations by accident.

Save up for a sabbatical. Go live in a smaller town/region that you are completely unfamilliar with. Go get a menial job (fast food, deliver pizza, wait tables). Rent an affordable place. Enjoy weekends, time off, the simple things. Take in the beauties of your new surroundings.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I personally ended up in easier situations by accident.

Save up for a sabbatical. Go live in a smaller town/region that you are completely unfamilliar with. Go get a menial job (fast food, deliver pizza, wait tables). Rent an affordable place. Enjoy weekends, time off, the simple things. Take in the beauties of your new surroundings.

Sounds awesome!

The simple things is what its all about indeed!

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

How does one "know" what their "full potential" is? Who among us mortal beings can fathom consciousness -- let alone spirit? How can there be a final arrival at a potential -- as if potential is finite? And what could be better served than the amorphic wonder we call love? I do not know how Reuben Pardo, or Norma and Gordon Yeager could do / have done better than to "settle" for such a fulfillment as they seem to have found.

I'd gladly 'settle' for the pleasure of simply holding my late wife's hand one more time, if only fleetingly.

Nullgeo, this is such an awesome perspective. If only more in our nation could get this it would be a much happier place. But the rat race is so frantic and all consuming that it is hard to see beyond its walls.

I can't rep you any more. But what you are teaching the young and naive as well as the old and jaded goes beoynd rep points on any forum.

Derek

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by urbanr0cker

I would commit suicide if I had reached old age and realized I had not met my full potential, sure. It doesn't have so much to do with material possessions as it does potential. There's something very wrong with settling.

What is your full potential? Do you think you can achieve it without becoming weathly, famous, or climbing the corporate latter? And more importantly how can you assume that the man in the story didn't achieve his full potential? Your judgements are merely based on career achievements. The is a very shallow metric when you consider other more important factors like his relationship with his wife and family.

Do you know how many wealthy professionals are lonely and miserable or how few people ever establish a successful long-term relationship with anyone? The most important things in life can allude you in persuit of other seemingly more important things. That's the moral of the story. Nothing wrong with having goals and being successful in your career. But a person's true potential and success cannot be defined by his bank account or professional accolades. Those are merely lipstick on a pig. He who dies with the most toys is still dead. What will your legacy be? And will you love and be loved? These are the things which money cannot buy.

Derek

[slo1318]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

How does one "know" what their "full potential" is? Who among us mortal beings can fathom consciousness -- let alone spirit? How can there be a final arrival at a potential -- as if potential is finite? And what could be better served than the amorphic wonder we call love? I do not know how Reuben Pardo, or Norma and Gordon Yeager could do / have done better than to "settle" for such a fulfillment as they seem to have found.

I'd gladly 'settle' for the pleasure of simply holding my late wife's hand one more time, if only fleetingly.

Potential is a powerful word, but is like hope, it is a moving target that's impossible to get your hands on.
Life is about people and relationships.

[nullgeo]

Derek -- I joke a lot ... but not on this thread really. So I thank you for your expression of appreciation, and I am humbled, seriously. I can be a real butt at times ... really harsh. But, if anyone takes note of my posts, they can see there is one underlying theme -- however rudely I may sometimes express it: I can't abide shallow disrespect of mankind and our essential spirits. I don't expect too much of humanity -- except that it should respect the wonder of the mysteriousness we cannot grasp.

I don't care much if someone is lacking knowledge and makes ignorant statements ... but I come pretty unhinged when people with good minds and talents ridicule and treat others arrogantly and disrespectfully. I would rather spend my time mopping floors with a group of life-loving Down Syndrome citizens than in the company of self-absorbed, intellectually capable, well-to-do professionals of our culture. I'd rather spend my time among dogs, for that matter. I'd rather spend my time around beings that live and breathe appreciation, and love, and wonderment.

I've taken a lot of rough shots in life. I've had to say goodbye to a number of people who had to exit early ... some I took care of in life ... some I served with ... some I was as close to as a person gets: brother, wife, other family. They all taught me that there is no limit to our depth of spirit ... it is truly infinite. If one pursues it, s/he will never run out of roads to travel.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by slo1318

Potential is a powerful word, but is like hope, it is a moving target that's impossible to get your hands on.
Life is about people and relationships.

Well said ... thanks for adding to this
My rep points button is running a deficit for you and Derek and a number of others at this time ...

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by slo1318

Life is about people and relationships.

Id like to narrow it down to a certain number of people, say 10.

2-3 thousand heads is just too many for me to keep abreast of all the time. I think you more than most, can feel me.