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Do you like your lifestyle?

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
Yes, whether it IS an obligation or not, I FEEL like it is an obligation. Some of it is, some of it isn't.
Being a Baha'i really sucks and there is nothing in it for me, nothing, except maybe after I die. I do not even like God.

That mindset can be difficult. I fall into it sometimes, too. Occasionally, I just have to wipe the slate of what I feel my obligations are, and just start over. What am I really obligated to do? Then slowly decide... yes. I need to scoop the cat box. No, I don't need to organize the toys. (Just for example.)

I'm sorry you feel being a Baha'i sucks. I know you've said its what you believe is true, though. I think I also recall you saying though you don't like God, you like Baha'u'lah. Do you ever ponder what he might say to you about your situations?

I am working because I don't know what I would be doing if I was not working. I have no family or friends, nobody to go places with, and I don't like traveling alone. All I have are cats who have been dying all around me. My husband does not want to do anything but sleep, a few chores, and watch TV. He would not even care if I went out with another man, but I would never do that.

I wonder if it might do some good to make a big list of all the things you like, just to see it. Anything. Little things. Tomatoes? The color teal? Pine trees? Some song or the other? You get my drift. Anything.
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
That mindset can be difficult. I fall into it sometimes, too. Occasionally, I just have to wipe the slate of what I feel my obligations are, and just start over. What am I really obligated to do? Then slowly decide... yes. I need to scoop the cat box. No, I don't need to organize the toys. (Just for example.)
I let a lot of things go but there is still too much to do. Oh well.
I'm sorry you feel being a Baha'i sucks. I know you've said its what you believe is true, though. I think I also recall you saying though you don't like God, you like Baha'u'lah. Do you ever ponder what he might say to you about your situations?
I don't always feel this way, only when I am overwhelmed with too much to do and not enough time to do it.
I have no idea what Baha'u'llah would say about my situation I just read what He wrote and try to do what He enjoined the Baha'is to do
I wonder if it might do some good to make a big list of all the things you like, just to see it. Anything. Little things. Tomatoes? The color teal? Pine trees? Some song or the other? You get my drift. Anything.
I like the animals and nature, which is all around me outside. It is just my indoor environment that sucks but I don't have time to do anything about it or the motivation. I just wish I could be more aloof about it, sometimes I can be, sometimes I can't.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
I let a lot of things go but there is still too much to do. Oh well.

Yeah, I feel that way sometimes, too.

I don't always feel this way, only when I am overwhelmed with too much to do and not enough time to do it.
I have no idea what Baha'u'llah would say about my situation I just read what He wrote and try to do what He enjoined the Baha'is to do

I don't know a lot about the Baha'i faith or Baha'u'llah. What does your scriptures say about handling stressors?

I like the animals and nature, which is all around me outside. It is just my indoor environment that sucks but I don't have time to do anything about it or the motivation. I just wish I could be more aloof about it, sometimes I can be, sometimes I can't.

I get that, too.
 

wandering peacefully

Which way to the woods?
Do you like your lifestyle?

If so, why do you like it? If not, why don’t you like it?

Have you ever thought of changing your lifestyle?

Have you ever tried to change your lifestyle?

Have you ever been successful in changing your lifestyle? If so, were you happier?

Thanks, Trailblazer. :)
Great question!

Yes, I love my lifestyle. I am currently sitting in a camp chair in Acadia National Park, on a whim, in front of a dwindling fire, in the dang mist and fog, listening to my mom snore in the tent I have to crawl into soon. What a life!

It is all about the adventure one chooses to create. :)
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Great question!

Yes, I love my lifestyle. I am currently sitting in a camp chair in Acadia National Park, on a whim, in front of a dwindling fire, in the dang mist and fog, listening to my mom snore in the tent I have to crawl into soon. What a life!

It is all about the adventure one chooses to create. :)
I am really happy for you, but admittedly I am more than a wee bit jealous. ;)
That is what I should be doing in my retirement that never transpired.

Nevertheless you are an inspiration for me. I used to love to travel and maybe there is hope for me yet.

jordan-pond-sunrise-susan-cole-kelly.jpg
Acadia.jpg
 
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Trailblazer

Veteran Member
No. I hate my life, for the most part. Don't need to go into why. I tried to take myself out of it in January.
I know what that feels like. Apparently we are in a minority so nobody here can understand what it feels like to be us.
But I understand what it feels like to hate your life, I really do. Still, we go on.
 

wandering peacefully

Which way to the woods?
I am really happy for you, but admittedly I am more than a wee bit jealous. ;)
That is what I should be doing in my retirement that never transpired.

Nevertheless you are an inspiration for me. I used to love to travel and maybe there is hope for me yet.

jordan-pond-sunrise-susan-cole-kelly.jpg
Acadia.jpg
That's great! I hope you get the chance. There are so many natural areas that are inspiring as I'm sure you know living on the upper west coast. I've found I just have to make up my mind up to go adventuring then focus the steps one at a time to do it. Otherwise, I would just sit around thinking about going for an adventure.

I know there are many important things in life for different people. One of my most important survival tools is being able to create my own adventures. If there isn't one readily available, I make one up. :)

I don't know what life would be about if not for exploring and being part of nature.

As a side, I follow Monarch butterfly status. I know the west coast population is really taking a hit with the fires and loss of habitat. I started rearing them here a couple years ago. It requires planting native species milkweed in your yard/ gardens because that is literally the only thing monarch larvae eat. I have 11 chrysalis' in my mesh raising enclosure waiting to change into Monarch Butterflies. I know you said you have a natural yard, which is great. I do too. No pesticides, no chemical lawn fertilizers, as many native species plants as possible. That's what will help restore the lost ecosystems.

Since last December creating a 3.5 mile trail system on our 300 acre property behind my camp. It has been the most rewarding and energizing hobby. Walking trails only of course. My neighbors and family will be using them. I will leave the old atv section open as only a couple of my neighbors who ask permission, use it. But they also know they have to fill any ruts they make and no using during mud season.

Anyways, I know you are busy doing God's work, but I don't think God would mind people taking some time for things they have always wanted to do.

And thanks for helping nature and animals in your yard.
 

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
That's great! I hope you get the chance. There are so many natural areas that are inspiring as I'm sure you know living on the upper west coast. I've found I just have to make up my mind up to go adventuring then focus the steps one at a time to do it. Otherwise, I would just sit around thinking about going for an adventure.
That's very true. I could have an adventure every weekend if I made my mind up to go adventuring. I used to get out a lot more when we first moved to Washington state. We would hike up in the mountains to the natural hot springs in the Olympic National Park. It is so beautiful up there.
I know there are many important things in life for different people. One of my most important survival tools is being able to create my own adventures. If there isn't one readily available, I make one up. :)
That's great. My survival tool for now is animals and nature and that is right on my property and in my house. I also go for long walks near my house and the trees are amazing especially at night. I never used to notice just how tall these trees are when I rode my bicycle rather than walking. Now I go for walks at night and i take a flashlight and look up into the trees and see how tall they are. It is so quiet I can hear a pin drop. It is a mystical experience.
I don't know what life would be about if not for exploring and being part of nature.
I think it would be pretty dull. I always lived very close to nature and recreation areas, even when I lived in Redding, California, where we were surrounded by forests, lakes and recreation areas. My first date with my husband a few days after I met him was camping out at at Whiskeytown Lake. My husband was from San Diego and lived in the city so he was never exposed to the great outdoors till we got married and I was always on another adventure as I used to love to travel all around California, Oregon and Washington.

I will never forget the time shortly after we first got married. We parked his motorcycle at the trailhead and hiked up to the top of the mountain, 6,000 feet, because I insisted on continuing to walk well past the managed trail system. My husband did not want to keep going but I had to see what was at the top, but then I was too afraid to walk back down because there was a large drop off the side of the trail... Needless to say, going up was a lot easier than going down. I told my husband I was going to stay up there till the forest rangers came to rescue us :D but I did eventually work up the courage to go back down. Those were the days.
As a side, I follow Monarch butterfly status. I know the west coast population is really taking a hit with the fires and loss of habitat. I started rearing them here a couple years ago. It requires planting native species milkweed in your yard/ gardens because that is literally the only thing monarch larvae eat. I have 11 chrysalis' in my mesh raising enclosure waiting to change into Monarch Butterflies. I know you said you have a natural yard, which is great. I do too. No pesticides, no chemical lawn fertilizers, as many native species plants as possible. That's what will help restore the lost ecosystems.
That is a great hobby. :) No, I never used any pesticides on our property which is no longer a yard, it is a wildlife refuge for raccoons, possums, squirrels, and chipmunks, and a bird refuge. I wish I had a working camera so I could take some photos. we used to have beautiful lake view but now we have a beautiful view of the trees and the animal occupants.
Since last December creating a 3.5 mile trail system on our 300 acre property behind my camp. It has been the most rewarding and energizing hobby. Walking trails only of course. My neighbors and family will be using them. I will leave the old atv section open as only a couple of my neighbors who ask permission, use it. But they also know they have to fill any ruts they make and no using during mud season.
That is nice of you to do that. In our previous house which is on the river, there was a trail that went down to the river but we never used it because it was all grown over, but the last tenants restored it. That house is located only about a quarter mile from the Chehalis-Western Trail where we used to walk and bike all the time, and I would ride my bike on it as far as I could to get to work downtown.
Anyways, I know you are busy doing God's work, but I don't think God would mind people taking some time for things they have always wanted to do.
Yes, I have been busy doing God's work for about the last nine years and meanwhile my life is passing me by. No, I know God would not mind if I took some time for myself and He probably hopes I will, for my own sake. I am kind of at a crossroads now, trying to make some decisions, and I am reassessing my life. I think it is going in another direction eventually but I cannot say what that will be. I will still be on the forum but not as much as I have been. The older we get, the more we realize how little time we have left. Baha'is are enjoined to take care of the planet, not just serve God all the time. I recall a saying from when I first became a Baha'i was "One planet, one people, please."
And thanks for helping nature and animals in your yard.
You're welcome, and I am sure all the animals agree. :)
People are always calling me and sending me postcards asking if I want to sell this property, but what would happen to the animals and trees if we sold it. I cannot fathom abandoning all these animals.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Do you like your lifestyle?

If so, why do you like it? If not, why don’t you like it?

Have you ever thought of changing your lifestyle?

Have you ever tried to change your lifestyle?

Have you ever been successful in changing your lifestyle? If so, were you happier?

Thanks, Trailblazer. :)
Yes i do like the lifestyle i have now, if i did not like it i would have change, as i have changed my lifestyle many times before because it was not how i wanted it to be.
So i would say, yes i feel the last change made me very happy and it has been a success

At the moment i have nothing to complain about in my life
 

wandering peacefully

Which way to the woods?
That's very true. I could have an adventure every weekend if I made my mind up to go adventuring. I used to get out a lot more when we first moved to Washington state. We would hike up in the mountains to the natural hot springs in the Olympic National Park. It is so beautiful up there.

That's great. My survival tool for now is animals and nature and that is right on my property and in my house. I also go for long walks near my house and the trees are amazing especially at night. I never used to notice just how tall these trees are when I rode my bicycle rather than walking. Now I go for walks at night and i take a flashlight and look up into the trees and see how tall they are. It is so quiet I can hear a pin drop. It is a mystical experience.

I think it would be pretty dull. I always lived very close to nature and recreation areas, even when I lived in Redding, California, where we were surrounded by forests, lakes and recreation areas. My first date with my husband a few days after I met him was camping out at at Whiskeytown Lake. My husband was from San Diego and lived in the city so he was never exposed to the great outdoors till we got married and I was always on another adventure as I used to love to travel all around California, Oregon and Washington.

I will never forget the time shortly after we first got married. We parked his motorcycle at the trailhead and hiked up to the top of the mountain, 6,000 feet, because I insisted on continuing to walk well past the managed trail system. My husband did not want to keep going but I had to see what was at the top, but then I was too afraid to walk back down because there was a large drop off the side of the trail... Needless to say, going up was a lot easier than going down. I told my husband I was going to stay up there till the forest rangers came to rescue us :D but I did eventually work up the courage to go back down. Those were the days.

That is a great hobby. :) No, I never used any pesticides on our property which is no longer a yard, it is a wildlife refuge for raccoons, possums, squirrels, and chipmunks, and a bird refuge. I wish I had a working camera so I could take some photos. we used to have beautiful lake view but now we have a beautiful view of the trees and the animal occupants.

That is nice of you to do that. In our previous house which is on the river, there was a trail that went down to the river but we never used it because it was all grown over, but the last tenants restored it. That house is located only about a quarter mile from the Chehalis-Western Trail where we used to walk and bike all the time, and I would ride my bike on it as far as I could to get to work downtown.

Yes, I have been busy doing God's work for about the last nine years and meanwhile my life is passing me by. No, I know God would not mind if I took some time for myself and He probably hopes I will, for my own sake. I am kind of at a crossroads now, trying to make some decisions, and I am reassessing my life. I think it is going in another direction eventually but I cannot say what that will be. I will still be on the forum but not as much as I have been. The older we get, the more we realize how little time we have left. Baha'is are enjoined to take care of the planet, not just serve God all the time. I recall a saying from when I first became a Baha'i was "One planet, one people, please."

You're welcome, and I am sure all the animals agree. :)
People are always calling me and sending me postcards asking if I want to sell this property, but what would happen to the animals and trees if we sold it. I cannot fathom abandoning all these animals.
Sounds like a fantastic place to live and yes as we get older, the adventures become a bit more difficult for sure. Mom couldn't get in and out of the small tent she had purchased and wanted to try on our trip. She is 75 with artificial knees after all. First thing I did after getting home and unpacking was to buy a huge tent!

Glad you have local nature to enjoy as well. I couldn't imagine living permanently in an area with no trees! They are magical. And just the difference in temperature between forested and deforested land should encourage everyone to plant trees in their yards and local areas. Especially when they are also so beneficial for all sorts of wildlife, insects and birds. When I travel out west now it seems like a barren waste land compared to 50 years ago.
 
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