In today's show I discussed the book I gave away a few weeks ago, Henry And The Great Society (get it free via PDF here).
Opening notes at the top of the show:
- Congrats to all the graduates of our Idea event in Colorado this past weekend (pictured at the right)
- Congrats to new Free Agent Academy member Thomas MacDermut from Cary, North Carolina who registered with us just this morning,
- The replay of the interview with myself and my wife Teri Miller by a Michigan radio station was posted yesterday here
- Asking all those who listen to our shows via itunes to please leave a review.
Most of you reading and listening were going along in your life, only to get hit with, "I feel little meaning or purpose, I spend all day toiling for nothing of worth other than money". But you have no margin in your time and money and are handcuffed. You're best option is to simplify. Do you want purpose and fulfillment and meaning and a legacy, or nice, unnecessary stuff?
Points from the book, covered in the show:
1. Fulfillment in work comes from being invested in it all, from beginning to end.
- today in traditional employment, we seldom get to participate from beginning to end and are disconnected from purpose and responsibility.
2. Relationship focused
- 'Henry' in the book was fully engaged with family, again, from beginning to end.
3. Henry and his family were Community focused (much more relational)
- They had to be, as they relied on those close by cause of geographic boundaries
4. Simple life
- They just had much, much less, which led to much margin!
5. Longterm view
- Henry was focused on building the assets of his farm, not accumulating amenities
- He expected his work to add up to something that could be handed down
Ultimate, Henry gave it all up for EASE and 'MORE'
When did we as a culture abandon purpose for comfort?
- We work to afford our stuff, and we only buy 'stuff' due to comparison
- Until we know the next gadget, we're stoked with what we have. Cooking on an open fire was fine. But along came the wood stove, and soon we couldn't fathom cooking by the fire. Then the gas and electric stove. Then the microwave.
Listen, and give your feedback:
Free Agent Underground Show - "You'll need to simplify to make room for the free agent pursuit"
I have so much to say with this one too so I will try to make it short and sweet.
As a means to survive I was forced to find a way to live on less, and He has taught me so much $ would not make me change my ways. It really gives you a more appreciative and a realistic perspective that you wouldn't have living the world's way.
I stay at home not because I am financially blessed, but because it is what I believe is BEST for my family.
There are sooooo many times when I find an amazing opportunity to get something we need not want. I truly believe that it is not by chance I always find these, but blessings upon us that I have chosen the right path and He is providing for us.
A few things I do:
Make my own laundry soap~ridiculously expensive in the store.
Serious my price for clothes is .50 and I am picky about clothes. I went all out and spent $2 on my Easter outfit~and no I am not dressing in grandmas curtains!
I just learned about a clothes swap~you give some you get some. Great way to recycle!
toys~every child has to many darn toys. Ya, spend more time cleaning them up then they doing playing with them. You can find any toy you want at a garage sale. Or better yet, get them outside and let them discover all the toys of nature. Amazing how long a rock can be entertaining!
I told ya I could go on and on, but I won't.
Thank you for inspiring,
Carolyne
Posted by: Carolyne Jimenez | March 31, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Carolyne - thanks so much for sharing this. It's amazing that someone
will buy a new car and flush thousands down the drain. But just as odd,
that folks will buy a $100 outfit that we later get at Goodwill (with a
decades use still in it) for $1.99. Doesn't matter how much money you
have...no need for that.
Posted by: Kevin Miller | April 01, 2011 at 03:23 PM