Against the walls

Freedom, What does this mean to you? What are you willing to risk for it?

Last night I was talking with a good friend of mine, a high earner, a long-time stock investor, a hard worker. Six months or more ago I told him about Steemit, I told him of cryptocurrencies and their potential and how I invest my time and energy.

He asked how it was going and I told him the truth, really well. I am working hard, I do long nights, barely sleep, skip on luxury uses of my time and keep pushing. I told him about the financial side of the equation and he said, You should cash out at least half! This bubble is going to collapse!'

He fancies himself a trader and he has done very well but his information in this area comes from the traditional sources, the financial times, wall street journals kind of things. He talks of Bitcoin and what the bankers and analysts have said.

I explained a little more, I explained how some of the development works, where this is going and potentials for real-world usage. He only half understood, truth be told, he only half listened. It is just not his thing. For him it isn't real until it is 'money in the bank.'

I do understand his position as I still somewhat feel that way but, I am trying to break it, destroy what I have learned and build another path. I tried to explain to him something he has never faced with his specialist doctor parents, financial hardship.

I have been in Finland for 15 years and there has not been a day that has passed by without financial concern playing a role. So many times standing at the grocery store register waiting for the machine to check thinking, 'Will this go through?'

He said I should cash something out so then 'At least I have something to show for it' and perhaps he is right. But what would it do? Yes, I will buy myself a little bit of space, cover a few months of the mortgage, maybe take my wife for a long overdue dinner but, what really changes? Nothing in the long-term.

As the year shifts from one to the next we often think about where we are and where we may be going and for me, I want to be free. I want change, I want to be able to stand at the register and not sweat the payment. I don't need much, I am a simple person. You can keep your Lambos and mansions, keep your Michelin star steaks, Cristal champagne and caviar. It means so little to me.

I told him I am tired of working at what I have been told to, tired of squirrelling away only to have it wiped out by the unexpected out of my control and tired of not being able to provide the basics for my family. I am tired of the life I have created and I am now trying to create something new.

Trying to create something that I have never been able to before. Create a little space so I can live and breathe clean air without the noose of debt constantly tightening. What will I risk for it though?

My blood, sweat and tears. My energy, my sleep, my health if needs be for all of these years, I have pushed against the walls I have been asked to move yet, they haven't budged an inch. How long can I beat my head against them hoping for life to change? How much energy can I burn before I burnout standing in the same position, facing the same bricks?

Is this healthy, is it helping my sleep to worry about if I can buy baby formula? Worrying about the cost of winter shoes for my daughter. It isn't a one off, it is every year at least, children tend to grow and as they do, they get much more expensive.

Yes, I will manage until I can't in that cycle but why wouldn't I attempt to break it? What does it cost me, a year of work, two? And what kind of work? I enjoy it, I am willing, it energises me and I feel I am actually helping others to break their own cycles.

My friend said of his own job 'the worst part is, most of what I do is meaningless.' He is in a cycle too. Sure, it is a few higher rungs on the ladder but, it is the same wall he butts his head against. I do not feel this way about what I do here though.

Risk is a part of everyday life but in my opinion, when you are going to take risks, make sure that if they pay-off your life changes significantly. Steem is my risk, my work is my venture and investment in and if it amounts to nought, so be it. At least what I do here is outside of the cycle, away from the walls, a space to dream a little, a space to grow a little.

Come on 2018, do something.

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]