Another chance to live again

[hertsbiker]

I'm tired with my life. I've done loads of stuff, a lot of bad stuff, a lot of good stuffm, had loads of fun. But on hitting 35, it all went a bit pear shaped. Suddenly I feel like I need to do something MORE.

2 years on I have resisted the urge to be selfless, but it's got to the point where I *must* change.

Decided that when (not if) I lose my current job, I am selling up and going to Africa to help others.

It maybe years, it maybe months, but I have lost my fear now. Being afraid of losing things, stuff, money. And what for?

TO live the 5-9 drudge? to pay the mortgage? to drive a fast car, ride a fast bike? WHY? seems so meaningless when I see people with nothing. Can I help? probably can.

Givng money seems so easy, but gicing time? this is the hardest bit. Well I'm tired of life in the UK, anyone else up for the biggest adventure ever? dunnow why I have gone into this stage of life, but everyday existance is just that - an existance, self fullfilling with no spiritual reward...

Any views?

C

PS, no, I'm not drunk. Just getting older.

[vixpy1]

Go, and good luck to you!

Not something I could do!

[treehack]

why africa?(just curious)

[DeltaFox]

Do whatever makes you happiest Carl.

[apache]

Called mid life crisis mate, I painted the shed and felt a lot better

[Youth Gone Wild]

If that's what you want to do, then do it, and good luck.

[wedge girl]

Spending time one Christmas helping the homeless charity Shelter, really helped me re-evaluate my life, I also spent some time working in an orphanage in Romania, and in Brazil.

I live a very different life these days, and whilst I have less material things , I have a far better quality life and truely appreciate the relationships I have around me.

Far too many of us know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

I will confess to liking my home comforts but I do at least understand how quickly they can be lost.

[Davel]

If you don't have the ties and can do it, then good on you.

Knew a Doctor/Surgeon a few years ago who spent all his holidyas in third world countries working as a doctor at field hospitals where the need arose.

Lot of respect to the guy...

[2 Smokin Barrels]

hertsbiker said:

Decided that when (not if) I lose my current job, I am selling up and going to Africa to help others.

Why wait for that to be the catalyst. I'd start planning now & do it on your terms.

Could the work thing be part of the problem? I know a crap job is like the death of a thousand cuts. Maybe that is all the change you need?

Good luck.

PS 37 is still a sprog!!

[lazyitus]

Fully understood.

Just do it. If it doesn't work out you can always return.

If you do it though, it will more than likely work out!

Get it done

The hardest bit is buying the ticket, the rest is easy.

[egoboss]

hertsbiker said:

I'm tired with my life. I've done loads of stuff, a lot of bad stuff, a lot of good stuffm, had loads of fun. But on hitting 35, it all went a bit pear shaped. Suddenly I feel like I need to do something MORE. 2 years on I have resisted the urge to be selfless, but it's got to the point where I *must* change. Decided that when (not if) I lose my current job, I am selling up and going to Africa to help others. It maybe years, it maybe months, but I have lost my fear now. Being afraid of losing things, stuff, money. And what for? TO live the 5-9 drudge? to pay the mortgage? to drive a fast car, ride a fast bike? WHY? seems so meaningless when I see people with nothing. Can I help? probably can. Givng money seems so easy, but gicing time? this is the hardest bit. Well I'm tired of life in the UK, anyone else up for the biggest adventure ever? dunnow why I have gone into this stage of life, but everyday existance is just that - an existance, self fullfilling with no spiritual reward... Any views? C PS, no, I'm not drunk. Just getting older.

go for it. possessions are suffocating. sure they are sometimes fun but ultimately they are here to keep us ensnared in the "game" and in the loop of "work to make money to buy nice things to aspire to even better things so work more aspire more get better things then want even better things" - ad infinitum - is why some while ago i settled for the mx5. i'd get a tvr and want a morgan aero8 then an aston db9, etc ... opting out at least once in life is good for perspective; i did it quite a few years ago for a while but am nowadays back in the loop/game. maybe i should "tilt" ... i'd miss all my books, though. daft, isn't it? books!?!?!

;-)

[Lois]

if you go to africa keep in contact so I have a place to go on my elective in 3 and a bit years

[Rob_F]

At 21.39 in Biker Banter...

hertsbiker said:

I feel alive again.

That was quick eh mate?

Rob.

[gh0st]

apache said:

Called mid life crisis mate, I painted the shed and felt a lot better

If that didnt cheer you up Carl then nothing will

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Rob_F said:

At 21.39 in Biker Banter... hertsbiker said: I feel alive again. That was quick eh mate? Rob.

21 minutes is a long time in Pistonheads

[cymtriks]

I'm the same age, I know how you feel.
I drive to work feeling angry about my job and drive home regretting that the day wasn't different.

I've been looking for an opportunity, not necessarily another job, more another challenge, in life for some time.

If your change of direction is clear, and it looks like Africa, then go for it.

And if anyone knows of a job suitable for a mechanical engineer who wants to succeed and do well, is willing and able to work hard for a decent reward and wants a challenge then I'd love to know about it. (You'd think employers would like this attitude but they seem to regard it as somehow odd or threatening!)

Good luck in Africa. Let us know how you get on.

[mybrainhurts]

hertsbiker said:

PS, no, I'm not drunk. Just getting older.....

Suggest you get older something else before the spiders get you.......

[hertsbiker]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

Rob_F said: At 21.39 in Biker Banter... hertsbiker said: I feel alive again. That was quick eh mate? Rob. 21 minutes is a long time in Pistonheads

yeah, it made me think that I'm chasing danger & excitement for excitments sake. The bike is terrific fun to be sure, and the only thing that keeps me sane, but spiritually I need more than thrills. I need to sleep at night and think I did something that made a difference.

Need not be Africa, but where else has the vastness of suffering? charity may begin at home, but when you don't feel like you belong anymore, like your country is disowning you, you may as well go elsewhere.

This is that chance, to live again, and feel worthwhile. Dunnow if it's gonna be easy, suspect not, but I look on it as the ultimate get away from it all, so I will enjoy my decadance and fast thrills while I have them, but not be sad when they go.

Being able to "let go" seems really important to being free. Fight Club it may be, but my stuff owns me. I don't like it.

Christ, I wish I didn't feel like this, but I do, and the genie won't go back into the box.

[2 Smokin Barrels]

hertsbiker said:

but where else has the vastness of suffering?

Birmingham

[gary_tholl]

cymtriks said:

I'm the same age, I know how you feel. I drive to work feeling angry about my job and drive home regretting that the day wasn't different. I've been looking for an opportunity, not necessarily another job, more another challenge, in life for some time. If your change of direction is clear, and it looks like Africa, then go for it. And if anyone knows of a job suitable for a mechanical engineer who wants to succeed and do well, is willing and able to work hard for a decent reward and wants a challenge then I'd love to know about it. (You'd think employers would like this attitude but they seem to regard it as somehow odd or threatening!) Good luck in Africa. Let us know how you get on.

Jesus, that's almost scary... did you reach into my head and pluck that out? Exact same prediciment I'm in, except 12 years younger, and an Electronics Engineer. I just need the balls to stand up and walk out of this place. It's getting closer though, I'm sure of it... I think about doing something else everyday, to the point where it's getting tough to do my day-to-day crap.

Gary

off to work on the 'ropa in 10 minutes... that always makes me feel better!