Truth be known, my best thinking occurs when I’m walking the dogs. I don’t know why that it, but it’s curious. There is something about putting one foot in front of the other, walking through familiar landscape, in and out of wooded areas, which relaxes me, and frees my mind to journey in various directions.
My wife and I have been talking about this major upheaval in our lives, happening in 2023, for a long time, and in the past it was like this mental exercise, just tossing out scenarios and what ifs, no real meat to it, you know? But now we are approaching October, which marks five months until we depart, and two months before we sell the home, so it is starting to get very real.
What follows, then, are some random thoughts regarding our very “turbulent” future and no, “turbulent” is not meant in a negative way.
FILLED WITH GRATITUDE
I am filled to the brim with gratitude for those people, nine and counting, who have committed money to us through our Patreon account. I am touched to the point of tears for their generosity. They truly are helping an old man to build his dream, and a middle-aged woman to realize hers. These people do not see me on a regular basis. They are not family. Four are friends I have met in person; the other five are basically strangers, and yet all nine have decided to spend their money to support us, and I really don’t have the words necessary to convey how I feel about that. A thank you seems hollow.
MORE GRATITUDE
I am also so very grateful for the life I have been given. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am. I was raised by loving parents who sacrificed so that I could have the best education and not want for any necessities. I realize, and give thanks daily, that I was raised in a supportive, loving environment. There are, literally, billions of people who are not as lucky as I am. The fact that I can sell a house and just take off on an extended journey, well, that is something so many people can only dream about, and that dream is hollow and frustrating for them, knowing full-well that they will never be able to do what I do.
COMPLETELY UNRELATED
An odd thing is happening to me as I get older, and I wonder if it is true of everyone. I have reached the age where I am doubting my abilities and decisions, like I don’t trust my decision-making process any longer. I am filled with doubts I have never experienced, and it’s strange, working through it all, calming myself down, and learning to trust in myself again. It helps, of course, having a partner, someone I trust has my best interest in mind, someone I can bounce my thoughts off of, knowing that our two minds, combined, are every bit as good as our single minds when we were younger.
This growing old thing is an interesting transformation, to say the least.
That’s all I’ve got for you this week. Be well, be happy, and do all things with love.
Bill
P.S. you can find us on Youtube, same name, As We Wonder
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Thank you Misbah! You are a loyal friend, an encouraging and uplifting friend, and I greatly appreciate you. Blessings to you always!
Hello, Mr. Bill. I wish you all the happiness and success in all your adventures. May you and Ms. Bev have a lot of fun, and may it bring smiles to your faces that last a lifetime. Don’t doubt your decisions, Sir. I understand you might be frustrated, but don’t you know how much I trust you and your wisdom? Following your heart is essential to have a happy life, and I am so glad you are doing that. Good luck with all your adventures! Take care, be well, and keep smiling.
Many Blessings to you and your family.
I do know that, Sue, and I thank you for it.
Bill if I lived in the USA and you pulled up outside I would be so delighted to welcome you both in for a Cuppa my friend… In the mean time you know how much I wish you both well upon your Great Adventure…
Much love <3 to you both
Jo, so nice to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I try to post about our travels weekly, so check my Facebook page periodically and you’ll see new articles and videos shared. Thanks again.
It is good to hear from you this morning, Bill. I am wishing you the very best on your adventure and travels.
I think it is very normal to doubt yourself as you age. Normal, but not pleasant at times. I frequently need to tell myself to stop beating myself up and get back to living. Doing the things I love.
I would love to hear of your travels–or just your walk with your dogs. Life doesn’t always have to be adventurous to be treasured.
I’m glad you are doing well, Ann. Fall has arrived. It was hot yesterday, but today the fog has settled in, and rain is predicted for tomorrow and Thursday. Pretty soon I will be whining about the rain, and won’t it ever leave? lol
John, thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. It must be very hard, with your wife’s restrictions, and the added strain that puts on your. Best wishes, my friend. Stay strong and trust in yourself.
That is such lovely advice, Sue. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am filled with excitement about all of this, and a touch of anxiety, but in the end, the excitement will win the day. 🙂 I hope this finds you well. If you lived in the U.S., we would one day pull up at your house, honk our horn, and introduce ourselves in person, and wouldn’t that be lovely? 🙂
Bill, I think what you and your dear wife are doing is absolutely amazing, to embark upon such an adventure at any time of life takes courage, to do what you are doing in your retirement years is more than remarkable. And to have such support is a real bonus..
I guess when we get to around our ages, we wonder if we are doing the right thing.. I mean selling up to not know your where your roots are going to be put next is a massive step at any time of life..
Many people I see, hear, read about are doing similar things in that they are selling up and TRUSTING their intuition as to where to go and what to do,
I have a friend in Australia who is selling her home of many years, they spent almost a year travelling across Australia working as they went, and they have two adult grown children.. They too are feeling the same calling to uproot and go with the flow..
So Bill… Keep trusting your intuition both of you.. Follow what your heart not your head tells you what to do my friend and I am sure you will be guided along every step of the way..
Sending you much love..
Sue <3
Thanks, Bill! It’s just nice to know I’m not the only one with these weird thoughts.
Not sure if it’s normal, but my mind functions the same way and not to rub it in, but I’m a little y9ounger than you. Still, life is great!!! Wishing y0ou the best, Bill.
Hi Bill.
Yes, i find the same thing while walking the dog.my mind seems to have more time to wander, and wonder about things. I am one of the worst for worrying or doubting my decisions..just ask my wife.
She is the more adventurous one of us by far, but she is restricted physically and relies on me a lot. This means I often have to be involved in things that I am not comfortable with. Still, maybe that is good that she tests me out and gets me out of my comfort zone.
So, just letting you know that is normal to doubt your decisions, especially as you age, but having a partner to discuss them with is a comfort. Good luck with selling the house and your adventures moving forward.
Yes, fine thank you, Bill. Shame the RV wasn’t right for you – one will come along soon, I’m sure!
I’m glad you’re thinking of somewhere to call home when you need a break. That makes me feel less worried about you! Sounds silly, I’m sure, but it’s a huge undertaking and you might need solid shelter now and then – a pied à terre, as they say.
Rain was certainly welcomed here when we had a long dry spell (unusual for us!). The garden suffered and the expected second raspberry crop never really happened; never mind, can’t win ’em all.
Ann
It’s always lovely to hear from you, Ann. I hope this finds you well.
We went to look at an RV this weekend, but it wasn’t satisfactory for our needs. And we are looking at a small piece of vacant property, a place to call home when we take a break from traveling. So things are progressing. I think we will have the house up for sale by January. That is our target date.
Summer is fading, the driest summer on record for our area. Rain is arriving on Wednesday. It’s like an old friend returning to us after a prolonged vacation. 🙂
Be well, my friend.
I know exactly what you mean about trusting decisions and thought processes, Bill!
I think it’s natural as we grow older, and yes, it is much better when two people are involved, being able to bounce ideas off one another.
I’ve already said that I think you are both very brave. I don’t think I could sell up as I would feel that I have no roots, no base, and both those things are very important to me. But I do understand why you are doing just that.
Certainly, just walking in the countryside, with or without dog, is liberating for the mind, especially a well-worn, familiar path. I think we can become one with our own environment, spiritually and physically. It knows us and we know it, absorb it, welcome it and benefit from it in so many ways. It’s about being part of nature itself, a double identity for both sides.
Keep these bulletins coming, Bill! It is so interesting to see the progression in both your journeys, the two parts making the whole.
Take care of yourselves!
Ann