Looking for Wisdom from those Posters w/ a Lot of Life Experiences

[JDS]

I can relate to this - my parents lived a fairly successful life - balancing both work and enjoying what they had. Starting out - had very little aside from the ability to work. Old man left home the day he turned 18 - wound up in Newark, NJ and in short had a pretty good time until he hit the lottery at 22. Unfortunately the lottery he hit was the US draft lottery and the grand prize was all expenses paid tour of SE Asia in less than first class accommodations.

He came home - but said he was done with city life and returned to his parents home. Met up with my mom - took a job back to working for the airlines until he had enough of the life and returned back “home” about 2 years later. He wound up working for a local industry (now long gone) and mom got a job clerking for an attorney. He lasted until he could retire at 55 - mom did clerical stuff until taking a job with dads uncle as a clerk - when that business closed - we took a chance, bought another business and ran that for a decade plus.

Dad was smart - got out at 55 and then sold the business shortly thereafter. Weren’t rich - but had enough saved up. Then got another blessing when we leased ground we owned for a nice sum. Right before 65 he developed cancer - fought it as he could but was gone shortly after turning 67. Mom had issues for the last decade and after dad passed managed well for a few years - but eventually Parkinson’s caught up and died 3 years later - spent the last 18 months in nursing homes.

I asked him if he ever regretted anything - really didn’t have any. He enjoyed living and kept all things in balance. That to me is the key - everything in balance, don’t overdo it either way and don’t take stupid chances - but still take chances. Don’t rely on stocks to make you happy or wealthy - they will do neither. Find what you love to do and then find a way to do it for a living.

Love gambling - there are plenty of opportunities aside from being a gambler. Hell - knew a guy who was the elevator operator in an AC Casino - he was happy - was around gamblers all day and could talk sports/gambling/horses all day and get paid for it. Who knows - could be me one day - work for a company who has some very specialized companies dealing in gambling/casino and horse racing operations (I do nothing close to these in my job/company) - of course I’d probably fail the background those guys have to go through - but opportunities are there.

Just be a decent human - try to help someone and take care of yourself and the rest will resolve itself. 22 years ago I met a guy working out in the gym of the place I worked - started talking to him everyday and became friendly. Typical old dude - I worked midnights and ended shift at 6am - so hit the gym after my shift and showered there - old dude started his day there. We would talk maybe 5-10 minutes about just general things. No idea who he was - thought he was day security guard/front desk to be honest. Finally one day one of my co workers stopped in and saw us talking - after old guy left coworker started with the questions. How do you know him - what’s he like - I’m like no idea just see him down here most every day - turns out he was the freaking CEO/owner of the very large company. Continued to talk with him for many months every morning - it eventually led to some great opportunities that I just built on from there in the industry after leaving his company (I left 2 weeks after he passed away). Has been a hell of a run for a job I expected to last 6 months tops before I moved on to something more permanent. 22 years later - I’m still doing it.

Wow that was a lot to read, but God damn it was a lot of good

 

[BMR Genie]

I can relate to this - my parents lived a fairly successful life - balancing both work and enjoying what they had. Starting out - had very little aside from the ability to work. Old man left home the day he turned 18 - wound up in Newark, NJ and in short had a pretty good time until he hit the lottery at 22. Unfortunately the lottery he hit was the US draft lottery and the grand prize was all expenses paid tour of SE Asia in less than first class accommodations.

He came home - but said he was done with city life and returned to his parents home. Met up with my mom - took a job back to working for the airlines until he had enough of the life and returned back “home” about 2 years later. He wound up working for a local industry (now long gone) and mom got a job clerking for an attorney. He lasted until he could retire at 55 - mom did clerical stuff until taking a job with dads uncle as a clerk - when that business closed - we took a chance, bought another business and ran that for a decade plus.

Dad was smart - got out at 55 and then sold the business shortly thereafter. Weren’t rich - but had enough saved up. Then got another blessing when we leased ground we owned for a nice sum. Right before 65 he developed cancer - fought it as he could but was gone shortly after turning 67. Mom had issues for the last decade and after dad passed managed well for a few years - but eventually Parkinson’s caught up and died 3 years later - spent the last 18 months in nursing homes.

I asked him if he ever regretted anything - really didn’t have any. He enjoyed living and kept all things in balance. That to me is the key - everything in balance, don’t overdo it either way and don’t take stupid chances - but still take chances. Don’t rely on stocks to make you happy or wealthy - they will do neither. Find what you love to do and then find a way to do it for a living.

Love gambling - there are plenty of opportunities aside from being a gambler. Hell - knew a guy who was the elevator operator in an AC Casino - he was happy - was around gamblers all day and could talk sports/gambling/horses all day and get paid for it. Who knows - could be me one day - work for a company who has some very specialized companies dealing in gambling/casino and horse racing operations (I do nothing close to these in my job/company) - of course I’d probably fail the background those guys have to go through - but opportunities are there.

Just be a decent human - try to help someone and take care of yourself and the rest will resolve itself. 22 years ago I met a guy working out in the gym of the place I worked - started talking to him everyday and became friendly. Typical old dude - I worked midnights and ended shift at 6am - so hit the gym after my shift and showered there - old dude started his day there. We would talk maybe 5-10 minutes about just general things. No idea who he was - thought he was day security guard/front desk to be honest. Finally one day one of my co workers stopped in and saw us talking - after old guy left coworker started with the questions. How do you know him - what’s he like - I’m like no idea just see him down here most every day - turns out he was the freaking CEO/owner of the very large company. Continued to talk with him for many months every morning - it eventually led to some great opportunities that I just built on from there in the industry after leaving his company (I left 2 weeks after he passed away). Has been a hell of a run for a job I expected to last 6 months tops before I moved on to something more permanent. 22 years later - I’m still doing it.

What industry do you work in, DJ?

 

[djefferis]

I’m in a hybrid kind of role in the insurance/finance sector. The parent company handles big casinos, racetracks, horses, trainers and horse farms. I’m no where near that side of the company - probably never want to be. It’s more fun being a customer than an employee. Figured that out on my 2nd day of dealer school at the casino. For all the shit you have to put up with as a front line employee in a casino - I’d rather just be a visitor now and then instead of having to go there every day.

Basically - learned to make myself valuable to my employer and their clients by knowing how to handle a whole slew of crazy/stupid situations large customers may find themselves facing and knowing how to handle/who to call and what to do. Jack of all trades/master of none.

 

[pete0]

I posted this thread because one friend I used to work with, recently retired at 68 and saved as much money as he could so that he and his family could have a great retirement. The dude was rich because he lived a frugal life.

Right after he retired, he quickly developed dementia and could not enjoy the retirement he worked so hard for. It hit him like a ton of bricks.

During the periods that he is relatively "aware" he always expresses regret about not living more and spending his money while he was younger.

This is a good thead

What makes one happy/content is up to debate really, I think.

I would say take risks when u can, u only get to take it once.
Sometimes in life, amazing opportunities only come around once.

It all comes down to striking the fine balance in life.
Do u want to work like a donkey for 30+ yrs, THEN take a vacation to spain ? IDK..

Make urself INVALUABLE.

 

[pete0]

Some quotes to look into :

Alan Watts

“Well, I keep saying it: deemphasise anxiety. Reassure people. You meet people who say ‘I’m really scared. I’m scared about my job. I’m scared about my [relationship]. I’m scared, scared, scared!’ D…

www.tumblr.com

11 Quotes From Alan Watts That Will Change Your Life. - LifeHack

Alan Watts is considered as the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West. He had an astonishing and an indescribable way of

www.lifehack.org

Educational chit :

Maharishi International University | Accredited & Nonprofit

A university that's radically different. The home of Consciousness-Based Education.

www.miu.edu

 

[Tanko]

This is a good thead

What makes one happy/content is up to debate really, I think.

I would say take risks when u can, u only get to take it once.
Sometimes in life, amazing opportunities only come around once.

It all comes down to striking the fine balance in life.
Do u want to work like a donkey for 30+ yrs, THEN take a vacation to spain ? IDK..

Make urself INVALUABLE.

Great post.

 

[easy_street]

When we die, no one is ever glad they played it safe.

 

[quantumleap]

When we die, no one is ever glad they played it safe.

A bunch of people near the end of their lives were interviewed and asked if they had any regrets. The one underlying answer was "We always think we have more time,"

If I were to get a diagnosis tomorrow that I had a terminal disease, I would find it hard to find something I regretted not doing. I've done so much in life.

 

[quantumleap]

Some quotes to look into :

Alan Watts

“Well, I keep saying it: deemphasise anxiety. Reassure people. You meet people who say ‘I’m really scared. I’m scared about my job. I’m scared about my [relationship]. I’m scared, scared, scared!’ D…

www.tumblr.com

11 Quotes From Alan Watts That Will Change Your Life. - LifeHack

Alan Watts is considered as the foremost interpreter of Eastern disciplines for the contemporary West. He had an astonishing and an indescribable way of

www.lifehack.org

Educational chit :

Maharishi International University | Accredited & Nonprofit

A university that's radically different. The home of Consciousness-Based Education.

www.miu.edu

If you like Terrance McKenna, look up some of his video interviews on YouTube. The ones I especially like are done by Jeffrey Mishlove of the old "Thinking Allowed" program.

Back in the late 90s I had a C-band satellite. There was a channel there called The Wisdom Channel. That show appeared on that satellite channel.

Here's one titled "Hallucinogens and Culture". I have to give a disclaimer here that I do not take hallucinogens but have been curious about DMT and Ayahuasca..

 

[chuckythegoat2]

Too many variables in my opinion.

- Lots of people “settled down” early in life with the wrong person. The results made them think they chose the wrong option. They did - but not in settling down - they chose the wrong person.

- Healthy living vs enjoying life - again varies greatly. Knew a guy - ran 2-3 miles 3 time a week / worked out and stayed active - dead at 51 from a heart attack (no family history) - his BIL drank and smoke 2 packs a day - never exercised and had a largely sedentary lifestyle. 88 and going still (lots of health issues - but to be expected - still gets around).

- Spend vs save - again - ALOT of very wise people put 20% of their income into a 401k - did them no good as they worked at Enron and the only choice of investment in their 401k was company stock (and it came at a 15% discount to market so looked like a great deal).

Hell - my sister has saved jack shit in her life - I on the other hand have tried to maintain a balance of some sort - saving and spending. We shared inherited property - I’m the custodian and have control. Recently got a hefty offer to lease said property. She has done nothing - and falls ass backwards into a payday benefitting from our parents hard work and later my efforts. A lot of stupid people got in on things like crypto early and fell ass backwards into fortunes - likewise a lot of smart people worked their ass off on assembly lines at GM/Ford and saved in retirement funds full of company stock. Think of how many very bright people work everyday as engineering types at Boeing - wanna bet they aren’t wishing they never put a dime into that company stock ? It’s sometimes just blind luck - 9/11 happens and markets crash / COVID hits and markets crash - somehow the rally a year after both events - only to be more turbulent in between.

Wow, this is a Great Post.

If I had to summarize: LIVE and LEARN.

A few Basic principles that should be learned early. And I'd say these are hard to argue AGAINST:
1) Understand the value of Investing.
...Appreciate the value of Compound Interest.
...You want to be the person accumulating the interest, not the one paying interest.
...Keep your debt to a minimum unless you're GAINING investment value on the debt.

2) Put stock in physical fitness.
...It's a lot easier to learn this when you're young.
...Don't become too sedentary. Stay active.
...Find a sport/activity you enjoy. Practice it regularly.
...Adopt a sensible diet. Minimize your sugar intake.

 

[pete0]

A bunch of people near the end of their lives were interviewed and asked if they had any regrets. The one underlying answer was "We always think we have more time,"

If I were to get a diagnosis tomorrow that I had a terminal disease, I would find it hard to find something I regretted not doing. I've done so much in life.

hmm...

I thought, most ppl regretted not taking a chance, when it was given to them ?
or appreciating their kids ?
or their health ?

something like that .. if i remember correctly ..

 

[pete0]

amazing thread tho

great responses in here.

 

[flyingillini]

The education thing is an absolute waste of time unless you’re going to be a doctor, engineer, maybe programming

Go find successful people and work for free and you’ll see how positive things come out of that

As far as wealth creation, it’s not from education and working for someone and that means even a doctor

it’s going out there and taking risks and starting your own stuff

Couldn't agree more, this was 20-30 years ago. Education means nothing unless you want to be one of those as JJ mentioned where it is required.

 

[flyingillini]

Tankster we can talk on the phone or zoom sometime if want to have a heart to hear talk sometime. I have probably done more than most on this forum and experiences the highs and lows of life. I have done more than people could of dream of here and I continue to do so. I have a lot of input on this but way too much to sit here and type. Reach out to me if you want and God Bless.

 

[Tanko]

Thanks everyone for the great responses.
A lot of knowledge on this forum.

 

[pete0]

When we die, no one is ever glad they played it safe.

Underrated post !

 

[carolinakid]

always show everyone with the respect you would like to get

 

[pete0]

‘My life will be short. So on the days I can, I really live’: 30 dying people explain what really matters

Facing death, these people found a clarity about how to live

www.theguardian.com

Why Being Near Water Really Does Make Us Happier

There are scientific reasons why we’re so drawn to lakes, rivers, and oceans.

getpocket.com

-----------------------------

Basic stretching: (do NOT overlook the power of yoga/ stretching in daily routine)

How to Stretch If You’re a Very Online Person

Eye yoga to mitigate the screen time, easy moves to soothe “tech neck,” and more simple stretches for your wrists, hips, and anywhere else that needs some TLC at the end of the work day.

getpocket.com

 

[quantumleap]

hmm...

I thought, most ppl regretted not taking a chance, when it was given to them ?
or appreciating their kids ?
or their health ?

something like that .. if i remember correctly ..

You know, that's what I thought too, pete, and that's what I actually was looking for.

Perhaps we can consider my post as only 1 side of the story and take into consideration what you mention also.

 

[edawg]

Always liked the funeral scene in Waking Ned Devine it rings so true.