T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 59

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #59!  And Happy New Year – Let’s all kick ass and take names in 2022!

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

Financial Independence/Retirement Articles

The More Runway You Have The Safer You Are (The Escape Artist) – “Just as engineers build bridges that would hold the weight not of an average car but of the heaviest truck, you need some room for error in your calculations”

My Silent Battle With Inflation (Happily Disengaged) – “Lazy people pay more”

Video

Apparently the best way to escape an avalanche is to do a backflip over it.  Holy smokes…

Who’s Inspired Me

Tommy Rivs.  

Rivs was an elite runner who clocked a 2:18 marathon time at Boston in 2017 to finish 6th.  He had won numerous other races including ultras and had a bright career ahead of him.  Then in 2020 he was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of lung cancer.  The disease was so intrusive it put him in a coma for months.  When he emerged he had to learn to talk, walk, and basically do everything all over again.  But this year he miraculously finished the New York City Marathon, taking over 9 hours to do it. 

I heard his story on the Rich Roll podcast and it gripped me.  It’s an incredible story of resilience and the guys attitude after all he’s been through is mind blowing.  His gratitude and perspective are something we could all learn from. 

If you don’t have time for a long form podcast this piece from the NYT on Rivs is good.

What I’m Grateful For

A 2021 that gave me continual growth, health, friendships, and learning.  Here’s to 2022! 

Lyrically Speaking

Fall on your feet or knocked to the ground
The people who turn up, do stuff, they just know
They know
Settle for more, you can afford
To be there for those who, need you
Want some hope
Find your people find your tribe
Those who make you feel alive
Then you are home

From “Find Your Tribe” by Big Little Lions 

Big Little Lions are the duo of Helen Austin and Paul Otten.  As an act they lean more to the little side, meaning they’re pretty obscure and undiscovered.  Regular readers of this section know I have a thing for small indie acts and I love finding the unknown diamonds in the rough.  Big Little Lions could be described as folk-americana with heavy pop overtones.  Or just plain fun melodic music with positive messages.  Check them out on Bandcamp.

When I heard the song “Find Your Tribe” and the lines above, it really made me smile.  For me, finding my tribe of cycling, running, and climbing friends who focus on a healthy lifestyle in the outdoors has brought me more joy and vitality than I could possibly imagine.  It’s changed my life, probably more than financial independence has.  So find your tribe folks, but please don’t behave tribal.  That’s a very different thing and something we’re all sick of.

Miscellaneous

The Many Worlds of Enough – Dave’s comment – this is a long read but well worth it. An amazing combination of words and graphics that really hammers a message home.

Risking It All: Are the Mountains Worth Dying For? – “For me it’s facing and avoiding the danger, seeing it for what it is, and dancing for all I’m worth in the most intense places in the world.” Dave again: It’s ice climbing season and I need to read this amazing essay weekly as a reminder.

Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes: a study in 48,440 adult patients – “Patients with COVID-19 who were consistently inactive had a greater risk of hospitalization, admission to the ICU, and death due to COVID-19 than patients who were consistently meeting physical activity guidelines.”