Location... Location... Location...

Have you ever thought about your retirement years?

Where will you live?
Will you be close to family?
Or mobile, so you can see things you always wanted to see?
What things will you do to stay busy and active?
Are there life goals you plan to accomplish?


In Hillsboro, one of our biggest frustrations was the fact that we were still 1 hour from the coast, and at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Mt. Hood. Which was WAY TOO FAR, for convenience' sake, to easily get to the mountain and get active. One of our family goals is, and always has been, to be able to be more active - quickly. When I say quickly, I mean like... walk out the front door and be engaged in an activity.


So, when the Speer Clan decided to come down to Florida, one of our top considerations and beliefs was ... no matter where we were in Florida, we would still be close to the water. We'd be able to get out and canoe, kayak, wander the shores, or swim, or surf pretty easily. That was a key for us wanting to come here, because we knew there weren't any mountains for us to go out and climb, or hike, or snowboard, or snowshoe. It was vital to us that we have some kind of outdoor
activities that we could enjoy, so we wouldn't be trapped inside all the time.

Although I do like A/C and Wii-ing, and the TV, I'm not really that excited by the thought of sitting on my rear-end all day long.


Fast Forward one year...

Now, here we are with gas prices sitting at just below $4. And we are sitting in the middle of Florida, instead of on the coast.


And I am starting to realize something ...

So many times we put off what we want to do, for what we have to do. Or, maybe I should say... for what we 'think' we have to do.

Honestly, I don't know why or where that belief system ever got started, but I am starting to find it sick and twisted and disenchanting. Now, I'm not suggesting we just drop whatever it is we are doing at this exact moment, and just run out and do whatever we want. BUT - I am saying we need to start re-focusing and using our lives for things that are gonna help us get where we want to go.



Once I start to realize, and dream about, where I really want to go... my mind starts trying to figure out ways to get me there. AND my mind also becomes occupied with thoughts of hope, of plans, of dreams, of things that are good for me (or you) to think about - RATHER THAN ... "crud, I HAVE TO get up and go to work today doing something I can't stand."

It's a very invigorating and exciting mental image, and not a defeated, downcast mental image. Just that fact alone can make all the difference in the world.


Anyhow...

All of these ideas had me thinking about the future over the weekend. However long our time here, in Florida, ends up lasting for - our next stop along the way is going to lead us somewhere that is WAY CLOSER to the activities we've been putting off for so long.

And I don't mean an hour away.

That's too far!

I mean - within a 15 minute drive, or a short bike ride, or a few minute's walk.

One thing that definitely became clear to me during this last gas price hike was the shrinking of our local area. If, and when, gas prices do go back up to the high point they were at (and even higher), it's is going to shrink our local sphere of activities. And whatever is within your sphere MUST be something that you want to do 'all the time'.