T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 77

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #77!

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

Financial Independence/Retirement Articles

Grief, Growth, and Gratitude (Mark’s Money Mind) – “Financial independence isn’t about the money or the goal of retirement.“

One Little Word That Can Help You Succeed (Maximum Gratitude, Minimal Stuff) – “This one word can get you back on track when you’re feeling defeated.“

Video

Last Saturday Dave Grohl held the first of two tribute concerts to Taylor Hawkins, the recently deceased drummer from his band Foo Fighters.  Hawkins’ 16 year old son Shane played drums on the massive Foo Fighters anthem “My Hero” and it was, well, pretty emotional and epic at the same time. 

Who’s Inspired Me

Nick Ray. 

Three years after an attempted suicide, Nick Ray is going to paddle around Scotland.  Ray, who is South African but who moved to Scotland 20 years ago with his wife, has suffered depression for many years.  After an attempt on his life in 2019 he kayaked around Scotland for the first time, which resulted in a book.  This time he’s doing it with the goal of gaining a bigger live audience through modern media as he goes.  He wants to highlight mental health issues and his ongoing struggle with depression, and how kayaking and being out in nature help him tremendously.  His goal is to give hope to those who fight similar struggles and to maybe convince them to use the restorative and therapeutic wonders of nature to heal and to cope. 

Ray’s blog is incredible and he writes with vulnerability and candor.  He’ll also be posting some videos on his Youtube channel during the journey when he’s able to.  You can read more about Ray in this piece from ExplorersWeb.

What I’m Grateful For

The bald eagle who didn’t fly away until I was only about 15 feet away as I slowly crept up on my standup paddleboard.  Having unique and transcendent moments like that with amazing creatures in nature is yet another reason why I semi-retired after achieving financial independence.  It beats the shit outta being in an office.

Lyrically Speaking

I cut myself but I don’t bleed
‘Cause I don’t get what I need
Doesn’t matter what I say
Tomorrow’s still another day
Birth, school, work, death
Birth, school, work, death  

From “Birth, School, Work, Death” by The Godfathers 

The Godfathers are a British band who have mostly lived in obscurity, since 1988 at least.  In that year they released the song “Birth, School, Work, Death” which was a pretty significant hit.  I was still a teenager and I distinctly remember liking the song, but also sort of fearing the blunt title.  Those 4 things – birth, school, work, death – is that all life is?  And I vividly remember thinking “shit, I’m almost done #2 already, that means only work and death are left”.  Well, technically I was correct, but I failed to grasp how long the work part of that quartet was in relation to the others. 

Either way, it’s a great rocking song with some nice guitar work and angular sounds.  And it’s a song who’s message should be considered by everyone.  I think we who seek financial independence strive to upend the third thing in the list and make something better.

Miscellaneous

As countries ranging from Indonesia to Mexico aim to attract digital nomads, locals say ‘not so fast’ – “Should your community welcome digital nomads – individuals who work remotely, allowing them freedom to bounce from country to country?“

Lack of sleep increases unhealthy abdominal fat, study finds – “New research shows that lack of sufficient sleep combined with free access to food increases calorie consumption and consequently fat accumulation, especially unhealthy fat inside the belly.“

Are You Afraid to Identify as a Leader? – “Why are people so often uncomfortable with thinking of themselves as leaders?“