tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post5620536753543382933..comments2024-03-06T05:17:56.336-05:00Comments on Biking for Birds: Aug 18 (Day 230) - Woodpecker-palooza, Thoughts on decision making in our livesDorian Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12770246226295859548noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-24243964703117924642014-08-19T19:18:38.473-04:002014-08-19T19:18:38.473-04:00Dorian, congrats on the birds you have found and t...Dorian, congrats on the birds you have found and the decisions you have made in your life. I have made two (or three if you count retirement) radical changes in my career/life. First "third" was advertising agencies, second "third" was healthcare, and last "third" was education at the college level. Birding has been along since graduate school and through all three chunks of my career. Now that I am retired, birding still fits in but the future "third" is still unknown. Carry on,<br />~ ZeissManUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04411775648255647390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-19521478814201978552014-08-19T11:39:39.365-04:002014-08-19T11:39:39.365-04:00It's a struggle to decide in life whether to p...It's a struggle to decide in life whether to pursue happiness or stability. Sometimes you get both. But as you mature your needs and interests change. When I was in my early 20s, I wanted to live in the big city and enjoy all the benefits of city life. Now in my 30s, I enjoy the boring suburbs where I can raise my kids. Early on I wanted to make $$$$ and live large. Now.... just the simple life is good so I can enjoy my family, recreation, etc. That being said, the current generation entering their 20s appears to be much more concentrated with enjoying themselves and doing what makes them happy compared to previous generations where having a stable job, providing for your family and setting retirement goals was key. I see that generation not being as financially responsible... enjoying a modern hippie lifestyle of cruising through life without plans for retirement. They want to be artists, photographers... things that make them happy in the short-term. My grandpa grew up in the pre-depression era and it wasn't about being happy, it was about surviving. He worked as a welder in an iron factory. Hard work, long hours, low pay, low job satisfaction. But it supported his family, and he retired at a respectable age (62). <br /><br />While you put hard work into your career, you saw it as less appealing. There are VERY few with your education and aptitude for scholastic and scientific endeavors, which the world could certainly benefit from. You could work hard, retire early and enjoy birding with whatever vision and physical stamina you had at that age. Or you could take a risk, bike for birds, write a book, serve as a visionary and conservation leader, establish a non-profit and benefit society in unforeseen ways. Risk/Reward<br /><br />Or you could play Call of Duty until 3am and live at your parents house until you hit your mid-40s.<br /><br />Life is full of choices. No one knows the right one for you. Bike on, and figure it out afterwards. See ya in Cali.John Muellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12865018860999540781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-13840245239237087762014-08-19T10:23:47.555-04:002014-08-19T10:23:47.555-04:00Dear Darion, Big change in your life! I love your...Dear Darion, Big change in your life! I love your quest and enjoy vicariously your adventure. On this page http://www.bemindful.org/poems.htm<br />are three poems by Mary Oliver that I've found useful to think on in times of change.<br />Judy P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14881037596367058162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3916447777056971449.post-67892146202430069632014-08-19T00:41:48.867-04:002014-08-19T00:41:48.867-04:00Well-played on the White-headed Woodpecker, Dorian...Well-played on the White-headed Woodpecker, Dorian. I was wondering what you were going to do about that bird!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com