Our Currency WILL Hit “Rock Bottom”
Welcome to America, the land of an under performing and increasingly irrelevant currency, the American Dollar. As of today, a Canadian dollar is worth $1.0685 US, which means our friends in the Great White North have a great advantage on American vacations, shopping and more. What was once a luxury for us, is now being enjoyed by others at our expense.
Quickly, our currency is becoming the laughing stock of the world’s markets. It is also a strong indication that we’re heading toward turbulent times in the American economy — IF we don’t act fast, that is.
We are a nation of 300 Million strong, yet have one of the poorest performing currencies to date. Is America becoming irrelevant? Are we losing our image as the “Land of Opportunity?” Sure, we might have more wealth than anywhere in the world, but it won’t matter much if our currency continues its erosion towards worthlessness.
Is there a short-term solution? Highly unlikely. Long-term? Sure, but at a GREAT cost. We are no longer immune, America. Welcome to the beginning of real pain.
Simple Minds Will Always Roam (The ‘Herd’ Factor)
During a visit with a client on Tuesday, we had a long discussion about people, society and life overall. We discussed the “rat race” that so many Americans take part in, our nation’s obsession with “show and tell” and so much more. Once again, I was reminded why I live the life I do: I don’t like following the ‘herd.’
The ‘Herd’ Factor is rampant throughout America. It’s like an infestation of roaches feasting on rotting food. The masses tend to follow a mundane and repetitive cycle on a daily basis, simply because few ever desire to be truly individual and unique in thought. A few examples:
1. Social Constructs — Race and religion are major herd factors. Handed down for generations now, most people tend not to question the validity of these irrelevant concepts in society. Instead, like a pig at home in its pin, most people are content with the notion of these herd factors.
2. Material possessions — From the hottest clothing to the newest cars, Americans want to look good — but usually, not for themselves. We live in a society which is highly materialistic and we enjoy making grand impressions upon our friends, family and colleagues.
In life, there will always be followers, leaders and those who tread their own paths. Which one are you? If anything, I certainly hope you’re not a follower. We have far too many people who live by the herd factor.
Life Is All About Choices
If there’s one constant about life, it’s this: Choices. We can choose to be successful, angry, happy, annoyed, indifferent, etc. When confronted with an obstacle or situation, we can choose the best outcome out of it — or the worst.
There are always options, always.
I LOVE Being Single!
If I could afford to, I’d erect billboards in the nation’s top 25 cities proclaiming the title of this post. Why? Because being single is beautiful, rewarding and most of all, priceless! For most of my life, I spent a lot of time in “la la” land when it came to relationships. The lessons I learned cost me a lot of time, grief and money.
I also realize that my anger and annoyance with the opposite sex is sometimes unfair, but so far, my outlook hasn’t been proven wrong thus far. Fortunately, I’ve embraced a new mentality which is almost universal today in our country. I am content and satisfied with this, for I know my old ideas would find me repeating the same experiences, time and time again.
I’ve come to terms with the reality of society and have laid to rest the ideas I once I carried about love, relationships, commitment and more. Finally, I can breathe a sigh of relief that I now finally understand and can live a life free of disruption, stress, drama and pain.
Signed,
A Lifetime Bachelor
Living and Working from Anywhere
Have you ever desired to live and work from anywhere in the world without confinement to a desk or cubicle? Would you give up your home, friends and family to explore everything on the face of this planet — right now? Would you sacrifice the comfort of your surroundings to embrace new ones several times per year? Would you be willing to break social conventions and your own “safe rules” to think outside the box and redesign your life?
Thanks to Timothy Ferriss and Lea Woodward, both are providing the world with the insight and tools to achieve such a life. Ferriss is doing so with his new book, “The 4-Hour Workweek” and Woodward with “X Marks The Spot: The Indispensable Guide To Living As a LIP And Working From Anywhere”.
Woodward’s focus is on living and working anywhere (”Location Independent Professional,” or LIP), while Ferriss’ is reducing your hours, outsourcing and enjoying your life to the fullest with an abundance of free time.
Both Woodward and Ferriss’ approach are both great, as they both enable you to live your life independent of any location while traveling the world NOW — not when you’re retired and older. Both challenge you to think differently and to throw out common concepts about permanent domiciles and the like.
So far, I’ve had the pleasure of reading Ferriss’ book and plan to order Woodward’s soon. In the meantime, I’ve become acclimated with Woodward’s approach via her lipliving.com site, which also features other LIPs (again, “Location Independent Professional”) sharing their LIP plans, challenges, goals and more.
I must admit that this lifestyle appeals to me greatly and is something I intend to pursue. I am also in a great position currently as I have no overheard (house, car, family or significant other) and am self-employed as an imagineer, social media producer (lifecaster, blogger and podcaster) and Internet marketer — all of which are ideal for living and working anywhere in the world. Thus, I am happy I chose the Internet as my full-time focus more than two years ago. It’s the best choice I’ve ever made, regardless of the pitfalls, frustrations, etc.
What about you? Are you ready to shatter the rule book and take control of your life? There’s nothing holding you back but yourself. It’s your life, passion and dream. Don’t place them on hold until you’re well into your 60s. Life is meant to be lived, and there’s no sense in waiting for “retirement.”