It is a funny thing, this thing called life. At times it all goes according to plan and life is a song. Then, that song turns from a beautiful Midnight Sonata by Beethoven, into something more likely to resemble a song sung by one of those bands with lead singers who have to make up that could raise the dead, and hair that resembles the departed.
Still, it is part of why this journey through this plane is so fantastic. The full spectrum of human emotions is at our disposal virtually on demand, by a simple change of scenery, location, or experience.
It is, however, in the pursuit of these experiences that we may well get to experience the parts of life that we’d rather not. But even though these periods are less than enjoyable, they do often add up to be some of the richest and most rewarding.
We’re going to take a look at a few areas of “adulting” that many of us will have to confront at some stage of our lives, and more to the point; discover how to make these experiences part of our victory story, and not our downfall story. (To turn a phrase, ain’t nobody got time for that!)
DEATH, DIVORCE…AND TAXES
It is true that of all the many things that we’ll get to avoid in life, at least two of the above-mentioned are inevitable. Or are they? Well, OK death is the one that is an absolute certainty, lest you’re an eccentric billionaire that can afford to have yourself cryogenically frozen for millennia.
About divorce though.
We live in a self-preservation society where we’ve all been taught to believe that all things have to work in our favor all the time for us to attain earthly Nirvana, and even though we all know that this is intrinsically untrue, we pursue these ideals with gusto in an attempt to attain said Nirvana, and the collateral damage? Well – exactly that. A necessary, painful, and often life disturbing change of circumstances for many people around us, which we then justify by assuming that this set of circumstances, however unchosen by the incumbents on that journey, is nevertheless a part of their journey too – and therefore, necessary for their own development.
It is something of a philosophical conundrum. While no one is intended to live unhappy and personally unsatisfied, are all divorces necessary? The Institute for Family Studies doesn’t seem to think so.
Seems to be, that the only ingredient necessary for any couple to make their marriage work is the will to do so – the genuine will. Not the one where either or appears as “victor” – the only winner should be the union, not the individual. Our parents and grandparents knew this – so where did it all start changing for us?
Well, that’s a philosophy lesson for another day, but here’s some food for thought:
What does your single self look like? What is it that your pursuing as a singleton that you can’t in your marriage? – and if you can’t why? Now, we’re talking. Either way, it’s not a decision to be taken lightly, and we thoroughly recommend getting some counseling before making any final decisions.
Taxes. So here’s a funny thought that most Americans may not have heard about:
Did you know that you don’t necessarily have to pay taxes? It is going to make some changes and you’re going to need to plan for it – carefully and with expert guidance and advice, but there are now over a dozen countries that offer citizenship by investment, many of which are tax-free havens in the Caribbean for example. This company offers expert advice and can help you make the right decision or because it may require you to renounce your American citizenship and move to a new country – but if you’re the adventurous type and you’re over Uncle Same taking a huge chunk of your earnings, this could be the solution for you and your family, and not mention – a whole new world of adventure and opportunity.
WHEN THE LAW CATCHES UP
We’re going to assume that all of our readers are perfectly good people and law-abiding citizens. But, be that as it may, you could well find yourself on the opposite side of that thin blue line without even knowing that you have. New laws that govern business, finances, taxes, social laws, and more are being passed all the time and ignorance of the law is not a defense.
Luckily for most of us, our brushes with the law will be minor and hardly require a new orange jumpsuit, but should that happen to you, you’ll need help with Bail Bonds.
Here’s the thing, even if you are “nabbed” for something more serious and you end up having to do some time in prison, this does not have to be the end of your life. Finding your flow in life is a quest that we all have to do in one shape or another and the universe works in such strange ways, we have no idea what is going to happen next, where we’re going to be headed, or what the result will be.
We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we always get to choose how we respond. So even should this terrible part of life become a part of your journey, you will still get to choose how you emerge. These people did.
MOVING HOME & CHANGING CAREERS
It is more often than not that these two events coincide. It is usually that we move home because we have a new job and wouldn’t you believe it? These two events just happen to crack the list of the topmost stressful things that a human can do – the others being divorce and death. So, you’re keeping great company.
But so many of our ideas and thoughts towards these life events have been formed by ideas that were birthed generations ago so why do we carry them around with us now, well – humans are creatures of habit after all.
Frankly speaking, none of these events need to be on the same list as death and divorce. Planning, timing, and getting the “buy-in” of all the stakeholders (your family) is what is going to make the difference. Planning will give you the financial freedom to get the help you need to make the move you want to make and career planning with your boss will help you predict what’s going to happen next in your climb to the top.
Now, life doesn’t always give us a heads up – rather, we know the opposite to be true but that’s the exciting bit. Even when the number ”99” is the order of the day, removing the stress from the situation is as easy as simply choosing to do it. If everyone takes a step back, evaluates personal responsibility, one may be quite surprised at how simple these processes can be.
IT STARTS IN YOUR HEAD
Literally. No matter what life throws at you (and this is a solid truth), you will always have the luxury of choosing what to do next, and that level of confidence comes with first knowing this. Your options might not always be what you’d want them to be, but you will have options, and in that meleé lay something of the mystery of life. The richness of life is weaved with fine silk and with the other stuff too.
You have to think that it is possible first. Start with that.
