I got rid of everything after my wife died. I sold my house. I gave away all of our belongings. I sold our cars. Then I put everything left into a pickup truck and 6x8ft camper and drove out West to live in the middle of nowhere on public lands. Two months later, I drove…
Author: Steve Ainslie
As Comfortable As Dave Chappelle
On the Joe Rogan podcast last week, Joe asked Dave Chappelle if anyone gave him a hard time about putting on his socially distanced comedy shows in Yellow Knife during the 2020 pandemic. Dave said, “Nope”. Then he added, “Even if they did, why would I give a shit?”
You Can’t Be My Friend Anymore
I’ve got a friend I’ve known for 20 years. For most of those years, I checked in with him every few months to see how he was doing and to keep in touch. Several years ago, I was complaining to my wife about my seemingly one-sided friendship and she said, “In the past 15 years, how…
Stop Asking Yourself If You’re Happy
Fifteen years ago, I called my mentor one morning to discuss a dilemma. I said, “Jim, I don’t understand it. I’m unemployed with no good job prospects and growing debt. My wife is sick all of the time from her year long treatment. We won’t even know we if it’s effective until it’s over. My mother is living with us while recovering…
My Wife’s Birthday
I’m not one who keeps track of things like anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. Generally I pay no attention to them. I could care less about my birthday. I prefer normal days to holidays. But my wife’s birthday will forever be seared into my memory. I loved her. It was an important day for her. So…
I Love Not Being On The Road
My life continues to be consistently fantastic. I wake at 4:45AM, feed and walk the dogs in the predawn hours and then workout for the rest of the morning. I swim every afternoon. I walk Wiggles several times a day
Boringly Fantastic
My life continues to be consistently fantastic. Some people might find it boring, but to me it is rich and full. I wake at 4:45AM, feed and walk the dogs in the predawn hours and then workout for the rest of the morning. I swim every afternoon.
Willpower Is Overrated
People who know me think I have great willpower because I exercise religiously, I eat a strict diet, I don’t drink, I was faithfully married for 29 years until my wife died, I keep a neat house and I’ve been able to retire early. They are wrong. I don’t have great willpower.
So You Want A Quiet, Simple Life?
I always wanted to have a quiet, simple life. I thought if I worked hard enough and saved enough money, I’d be able to do it. In some ways, this has been true. What I didn’t realize is that I was building a quiet, simple life along the way. If I had been more intentional…
Buying Memories
It’s been raining a lot here lately. Every time I am out in the rain walking the dog, I think, “I need to get a good raincoat”. But I have a decent raincoat. I’d say it is even a good one from Outdoor Research. It’s a thin, waterproof shell that is made to go over…