Pondering about my future (after 20 years fi).
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:22 am
I reach 70 this month. Some future ponderings.
Outside world
I have learned that:
a. Our minds are prone to manipulation, even by ourselves. Science and philosophers are proving that. Google, Facebook, some newspapers and broadcasters and the like are using that fact. To manipulate me in politics, and consuming. In choosing my education, in choosing medical solutions or to seduce me to have tests on my body. But google informs me too if I am looking for information. I have to be critical not to be biased. I have to examine myself about my biases. And to maintain/develop the skill to avoid most information in the relentless ocean of info.
b. The technological/biochemical drive of mankind investigates the workings of the human mind and body and then to try to change those by biochemicals (drugs), with magnetic fields or with direct surgery and implants. To help and treat the sick. And to use that for manipulation. For example the food industry is looking too and use chemical additives to mislead my taste/mind, so that I become prone to eat wrong. But common knowledge and science is informing me about food so that I can prepare myself.
c. The complexity of our institutions is dangerous. National administrations have no limit of grow and no inbuilt brake to intervene my way of life. Specialisation obscure the whole and form obstacles. For example hospitals. I have witnessed that their widened specialisation and complexity cannot cope well to cure people. And (communal) administrations, once set up to help their inhabitants, now often hinder them with futilities or complex rules that are not maintained. So that those who ignore the rules are spared. Experience helps me to (for)see the workings of administrations and how to avoid (the unhelp).
Those three help me to live well in- and with my outside world. They change with time as they always have. Therefore I must stay alert, and keep my mind in shape. And for the real possibility that in the future my mind start to detoriate I should have (younger) people around me with (a kind of) the same mindset. And to give them the tools/authority to steer/react in my place.
Private world
I live twenty years in financial independence now, shaped along the lines of ere principles.
Such a long period of freedom, being master of my time and where I could choose free where and how to live, have been a boon to my life. I feel well.
Housing
I lived not very stationary. In this period of twenty years I have lived in six houses owned/changed/maintained by me and DW. In three countries in Europe, with three different languages and three different legal systems.
Houses/real estate are also my skill to earn money and a motivator to continuous learn all kind of skills.
At the moment one of our two houses is a listed building of over 450 years old. I have to cope with authorities and my personal wishes to insulate and ventilate and reduce heating and maintenance costs.
I wonder if I will continue moving house. It is in my blood and gives opportunities for interesting changes. It is also always a lot of work, mostly more work than estimated. Over time I have found that it is a rewarding thing to do in many aspects, and for me it feels adventurous. If I move again, I aim for easy to maintain, I aim something inspiring or with grandeur.
Sport
I found (new) sports to do: horse riding, kajacking, swimming in open water, xcountry skiing, big water sailing in a 36 foot, (solo) living/trekking for weeks in a 25 foot motorboat (last year even over coastal seas), driving an open two-seater, walking and cycling. Kettle bells, pilates. Most of them I will continue and I will try others, perhaps tennis. I have stopped horse riding. I have sold my 36 Ft sailing boat but all those other sports I like to continue as long I love to do them. In the future I like to add rowing and small sailing.
As you see, all those are more or less individual sports, I can do them on my own, which I often do. So I am independent from the need of company to sport, although I like company.
I aim the most simple of them (cycling, xcountry-sking, swimming and walking, kettle bells and pilates) to maintain until I die, knowing to adapt if my body restricts me.
Love
All my adult life I have a woman as partner. The first companionship and love lasted about 26 years, from which I have a grown-up daughter. The second companionship and love last at the moment 27 years. Do not think that at (my) age one cannot fell in love with others anymore. It happened to me some years ago and it happened to my wife not so long ago. The effects are partly wonderful for the one who fells into it, partly stress- and very painful for the one who feels jealous. Both very basic human reactions, both difficult to overcome without a divorce. We did. We have learned to live together without doing all things together, we have learned to do things like hobbies and sports also on our own.
Love is such an essential part of life, I aim to be able to give love as long as I live and not to one person. I hope to get love for the same period.
Hobbies
I like reading and studying everything I think that enhance my practical knowledge. I like fiction.
Practical philosophy is a focus point for me. Sometimes I draw or paint. I love piano playing although I know that I am not a gifted person. I still find pieces to play within my grasp which let my romantic mind glow. I see a lot of films on dvd from libraries in Holland and Austria. I like the forum of ERE, it gives inspiration and new insights. I will continu these.
And I embrace serendipity.
Outside world
I have learned that:
a. Our minds are prone to manipulation, even by ourselves. Science and philosophers are proving that. Google, Facebook, some newspapers and broadcasters and the like are using that fact. To manipulate me in politics, and consuming. In choosing my education, in choosing medical solutions or to seduce me to have tests on my body. But google informs me too if I am looking for information. I have to be critical not to be biased. I have to examine myself about my biases. And to maintain/develop the skill to avoid most information in the relentless ocean of info.
b. The technological/biochemical drive of mankind investigates the workings of the human mind and body and then to try to change those by biochemicals (drugs), with magnetic fields or with direct surgery and implants. To help and treat the sick. And to use that for manipulation. For example the food industry is looking too and use chemical additives to mislead my taste/mind, so that I become prone to eat wrong. But common knowledge and science is informing me about food so that I can prepare myself.
c. The complexity of our institutions is dangerous. National administrations have no limit of grow and no inbuilt brake to intervene my way of life. Specialisation obscure the whole and form obstacles. For example hospitals. I have witnessed that their widened specialisation and complexity cannot cope well to cure people. And (communal) administrations, once set up to help their inhabitants, now often hinder them with futilities or complex rules that are not maintained. So that those who ignore the rules are spared. Experience helps me to (for)see the workings of administrations and how to avoid (the unhelp).
Those three help me to live well in- and with my outside world. They change with time as they always have. Therefore I must stay alert, and keep my mind in shape. And for the real possibility that in the future my mind start to detoriate I should have (younger) people around me with (a kind of) the same mindset. And to give them the tools/authority to steer/react in my place.
Private world
I live twenty years in financial independence now, shaped along the lines of ere principles.
Such a long period of freedom, being master of my time and where I could choose free where and how to live, have been a boon to my life. I feel well.
Housing
I lived not very stationary. In this period of twenty years I have lived in six houses owned/changed/maintained by me and DW. In three countries in Europe, with three different languages and three different legal systems.
Houses/real estate are also my skill to earn money and a motivator to continuous learn all kind of skills.
At the moment one of our two houses is a listed building of over 450 years old. I have to cope with authorities and my personal wishes to insulate and ventilate and reduce heating and maintenance costs.
I wonder if I will continue moving house. It is in my blood and gives opportunities for interesting changes. It is also always a lot of work, mostly more work than estimated. Over time I have found that it is a rewarding thing to do in many aspects, and for me it feels adventurous. If I move again, I aim for easy to maintain, I aim something inspiring or with grandeur.
Sport
I found (new) sports to do: horse riding, kajacking, swimming in open water, xcountry skiing, big water sailing in a 36 foot, (solo) living/trekking for weeks in a 25 foot motorboat (last year even over coastal seas), driving an open two-seater, walking and cycling. Kettle bells, pilates. Most of them I will continue and I will try others, perhaps tennis. I have stopped horse riding. I have sold my 36 Ft sailing boat but all those other sports I like to continue as long I love to do them. In the future I like to add rowing and small sailing.
As you see, all those are more or less individual sports, I can do them on my own, which I often do. So I am independent from the need of company to sport, although I like company.
I aim the most simple of them (cycling, xcountry-sking, swimming and walking, kettle bells and pilates) to maintain until I die, knowing to adapt if my body restricts me.
Love
All my adult life I have a woman as partner. The first companionship and love lasted about 26 years, from which I have a grown-up daughter. The second companionship and love last at the moment 27 years. Do not think that at (my) age one cannot fell in love with others anymore. It happened to me some years ago and it happened to my wife not so long ago. The effects are partly wonderful for the one who fells into it, partly stress- and very painful for the one who feels jealous. Both very basic human reactions, both difficult to overcome without a divorce. We did. We have learned to live together without doing all things together, we have learned to do things like hobbies and sports also on our own.
Love is such an essential part of life, I aim to be able to give love as long as I live and not to one person. I hope to get love for the same period.
Hobbies
I like reading and studying everything I think that enhance my practical knowledge. I like fiction.
Practical philosophy is a focus point for me. Sometimes I draw or paint. I love piano playing although I know that I am not a gifted person. I still find pieces to play within my grasp which let my romantic mind glow. I see a lot of films on dvd from libraries in Holland and Austria. I like the forum of ERE, it gives inspiration and new insights. I will continu these.
And I embrace serendipity.