Pondering this subject, it could mean so many different things … but it has become a frustratingly personal issue, and it all boils down to life choices. At the age of 60 I have to do three different jobs just to make ends meet. I have virtually no time for anything else.
I've just been to a Mothers' Day lunch with my son. Spending time with him for the first time in months made me realise how unfair the whole system is. He is 26, he has a beautiful 1 year old baby girl, but his life has become a soul destroying quest for survival. He is a professional diver, which is a high risk profession and it takes him away for long periods, so instead he works for a local builders' supply store to be close to his new family.
We live in a magnificent part of the world, the Indian Ocean our daily soul food as we drive to work. BUT, in order to survive in this beautiful environment, have a roof over our heads and food on our table, petrol in our tanks (public transport virtually non-existent here), we have to work for the lowest legal wage, in pointless jobs that only serve to advance the owner. I know this is not a unique situation globally, and that is what really frustrates me the most. What the hell is going on? We are slaves to the machine, willing slaves to this materialistic, capitalistic order.
There is an option …. live off the grid …. in South Africa you can't just find a remote space to go set up home, you need to purchase land, pay land tax, and have some liquidity to educate your child (or face prosecution), and for transport, emergencies. This is where the frustration sets in …. despite all the years of hard work, we are still unable to set ourselves free! Boggles the brain!
Graphics courtesy of Pixabay
Your problem with freedom is, sadly, a regular problem for many people now a days! Its hard to make ends meet, to just make it by. I understand completely your struggle to "live off the grid" as really, the government doesnt really allow you this freedom. Ive learned to take joy in the small things and to try to not let worry take over my every day life. I hope you can do the same. Great entry :) And screw the downvoters, thats really shitty of them! Imagine how much their life must suck to feel the need to run around and try to hurt people they dont even know.
Hi @smylie2005, I think that's one of the most frustrating things about this whole system - that it is a problem for just about everybody! And it begins at school, this conditioning to accept this as our lot in life. Reminds me of Pink Floyd's Brick in the Wall. You are right, of course, about finding joy - my greatest joy is my 1 year old granddaughter, and also that I live in such a beautiful seaside village. My anger and frustration is the result of my son being sucked into the system - I really want freedom for him.
On a more positive note, my husband and I are embarking on a new venture in an attempt to gain a bit of freedom which we hope will also benefit our son. Thanks for your encouragement, it is so appreciated that you took the time to read it and respond with such positivity.
My reason for finding the positive in a oh so negative world! She looks up to me and I have to show her the reasons to keep that smile bright. It might be wrong, but I dont want her to know the struggles of life before she has to deal with the real world! She deserves to know happiness! And I know you feel the same about your little miss! I hope your son finds a way to be able to live out his life how God intended, in the beautiful water! I wish you all the best on your new venture, may it bring you at least a little freedom, but so much peace! Much love :)
What a beautiful little girl you have. I agree we have to let them experience joy as long as possible. Thanks for your good wishes, much love and blessings to you and yours xx
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@apolymask I'm curious as to why I got 2 downvotes? Would you be able to answer this? Did I do something wrong or was it just that bad?
I'm curious too! I thought it was a good post! And a good entry! Weird...
I don't know why you got the downvotes. I only saw one of the names and didn't recognize him, I doubt either of them were connected with the IFC. Not sure how they found you, maybe one of the tags you used? I dunno, but they appear to be trolls...? I wouldn't worry about it too much, probably just a random thing, but if they keep doing it let me know! And we'll try to get to the bottom of it. And no you didn't do anything wrong and your entry wasn't bad either.
Now there are 4 downvotes, and I can't seem to look up the accounts today. Yesterday I looked up one, the avatar is the Anonymous mask. Maybe because I used Freedom as a tag? Oh well at least it hasn't done any harm so far.
Nice post @leighleigh, good luck in the contest, we need more entries. Looks like the Hive found you also, at least the downvotes did no real damage, just some people thinking they have the freedom to do whatever harm they want.
Thanks @bashadow. I've joined the Hive discord channel, although I'm having discord problems if I try to connect via my laptop, can only access via my phone app! Isn't that weird? And yes I agree, it would be great to have more entries, to have some different perspectives on the subject.
Great entry leighleigh. Some powerful ideas to mull over and ponder for sure!
Indeed! It is tough to do though! It would be ideal if we could bring freedom to the masses though rather than having to essentially segregate ourselves. But.. I mean.. When the system is so corrupt.. What do you do? Sometimes the only thing you can do is separate. So.. I think there's some deep wisdom there.. And.. Maybe the answer is for us to sort of find a way to go our own way. Thanks for the thought provoking entry!
Thanks @apolymask. It would be tough making the transition, especially as we are so used to certain comforts. To convert to solar panels, water tanks, and so on is also costly. I have a friend who actually went right back to basics - he and his wife and 2 children lived in a shack on a piece of land which he rented, pumped water from a stream, made a fire for heating water and cooking, used gas lamps and candles, and grew the most amazing veggies which he was able to sell. He also grew weed hidden amongst the bush and this provided some income as well although it is illegal here. Unfortunately he couldn't always pay the monthly rent and had to move off the land.
I wish I knew the answer!
I understand your situation and I completely agree with how the system is complete bogus. I don't live off grid but I do live in a town is such a low population, public transportation is also non existent. We all have to have our own vehicles. Those that work the same jobs carpool. Those that don't help pollute the earth but we are given no choice. The system controls us to a point where we feel we have no choice but to be in it, thinking there is no way out. But that is just an illusion. We must go back to our roots, to our grandmothers grandmothers. Find the knowledge and then move forward.
I really enjoyed your post. Thank you for sharing. Resteeming so people can get a bit of light on what is going on.
Our village is also small @foxyspirit, although being a holiday destination it booms in the summer holiday season (December in the southern hemisphere) and most people's livelihoods is dependent on this. As for going back to our roots, this made me think about world history - there have always been controlling, powerful empires, e.g. the Egyptians, Romans .... Thanks for your usual intelligent comment, you've given me more to think about in terms of the future for the next generation ... as I said in my post I hate the idea of my son feeling there is no way out. Maybe the kibbutz type system is something to think about. Thanks too for resteeming!
There will always be controlling people, but going back to where people lived in the country and had their own farms to live off of, rather than today where many people overuse the farms. They were a bit more detached then compared to today.
You are welcome. I love having a chat that brings up more thoughts. ^_^
I think about it a lot myself. Seems the percentage of time spent just on meeting survival needs continues to increase.
Being self employed is an option for those who can pull it off. Most of the time it can be longer hours but more of a sense of freedom.
So right @headchange! Cost of living rises but income doesn't so our time is stolen as we become more enslaved! I was self employed for about 12 years, it was wonderful being free, but then I accepted an offer which I thought would be good for my family - with hindsight it was the wrong choice. My husband has been self employed for 26 years ... he alternates between feast and famine due to the seasonal nature of his business. Even so, I strongly agree that being self-employed is definitely the way to go.
It really is a feast or famine lifestyle for sure. I find the older I get the more I prefer to get by with less in favor of having some freedom at least where time is concerned.
Definitely agree with that. The older I get the less I have and want! But I still have to slave away to survive, which is what I'm trying to change for myself and my family.
Great post. I agree that we work from dawn to dusk, and often beyond, and can barely enjoy the benefits of all that work.
It's such a sad reality for most, @kathys-girl. It's time for people to rise up and challenge the system, break free, take our lives back. There are thousands of people here who feel the same, groups are being formed in this direction. At least people are becoming aware and speaking out. Thanks for reading, I hope you can find a way to enjoy life - more freedom to you.
It is quite sad. I juggle from two jobs as well so it must have been quite hard for you, especially that you are not getting any younger.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. ^^
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