T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 13

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #13!

Here are some things I really like and that you might too. 

 

Finance Articles

My life philosophy: 51 lessons from 51 years? (Get Rich Slowly) – “Life is like a lottery…. The more you play — the more you say “yes” to new friends and new experiences — the more often you’ll win.”

Does Anyone Want to Win? – (Slightly Early Retirement) – “But there has to be something that strikes a passion in you to achieve a goal that requires hard work. Otherwise you just see the morning gym crowd thinning out by February and March year after year.”

 

Video

Shauna Coxsey is a friggin’ beast, she could probably lift more with a single finger than I can with my arm. Check out this awesome video highlighting what happens when you climb with a true world class athlete.

 

Who’s Inspired Me

Malala Yousafzai. 

Malala was born in the Swat district of northwestern Pakistan, and gained fame for being an 11-year-old girl secretly communicating with BBC reporters about life in Pakistan under Taliban rule.  After having blogged about her experiences during the Taliban’s growing influence in the region, the Taliban attempted to assassinate her on the bus home from school.  She survived, but underwent several operations in the UK, where she lives today.

In addition to her schooling, she continues her work for the right of girls to education.  Because of the fight she led, Pakistan passed equal education legislation and hope was given to thousands of women.  In October 2014 Malala was named a Nobel Peace Prize winner. 

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Afghanistan and witnessed firsthand how women are treated in Pashtun culture.  Malala is an inspiration for sure.  See her story here.

 

What I’m Grateful For

The physical and mental benefits of exercise.  I’m hitting it harder than ever and feel amazing.  And I’ve seen more people out walking in the past two weeks than ever before, by far.  Hopefully others will finally realize what they’re missing in their lives.  Hard times often bring change.  

 

Lyrically Speaking

My mother told me, before she passed away
Said son when I’m gone don’t forget to pray
‘Cause there’ll be hard times, hard times, oh yeah
Who knows better than I?

From “Hard Times”, by Ray Charles. 

Growing up I was exposed to lots of music from my Father, but not rock ‘n roll.  He was mostly into Big Band and Jazz, and I still love those sounds today.  He also loved Ray Charles.  I mean, who wouldn’t?  The man was probably one of greatest talents in 20th Century American music. 

Ray has a song for every occasion, and “Hard Times” is what came to mind when I thought of this weeks post.  If you saw the movie “Ray” about his life, you know Ray had many hard times himself, and as a world we’re going through some now.

Hang in there folks, this too shall pass…

 

Miscellaneous

Long Workdays Could Raise Your Stroke Risk – “Those who worked long hours had a 29% greater risk of stroke, and those who worked long hours for at least 10 years had a 45% greater risk of stroke”

The red meat and plant-based recommendation wars – “Nutritional epidemiology is a scandal. It should just go to the waste bin.”

Movement and Loss: Digging through Trauma to Uncover Motivation – “Loss causes pain that creates a Pavlovian fear of further loss. Action is the antidote to fear. Movement is the most effective balm for pain.”