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Your input is requested ….

I’ve been thinking about what it is I do.  And how I want to live.

I watched No Impact Man, the story of one family who lived for a year without creating a carbon foot print — in New York City.  They drastically altered their living habits.  Riding bikes instead of driving, living with no electricity, walking up nine flights to their condo – some pretty serious changes.  Yet they both kept the jobs they had and still lived in New York City.

I lived in Chicago for many years, and I know how expensive it is to live in a large city.  Rent alone can kill you.  Then there’s the more expensive cost of food compared to rural Iowa.  Things like parking, transportation, and cost of living — all higher than where I am now.

This past year I made some drastic changes, and now live on much less money than I ever have.  Yet – it’s been a wonderful year with fantastic friends and travel and much learning.

I’m now at a point in my life where I want to do some amazing things.  I’ve seen that I can do it. Money is nice, but it’s not everything.  Whoever said do what you love, the money will follow — is right.  Now, what do I want to do?

You know me – what do you think I’d love doing and be good at? Can’t wait to see your responses!

8 Comments

  1. Judy Wrolson on May 31, 2011 at 4:38 am

    Teach, my dear, teach!



  2. Deb on May 31, 2011 at 11:40 am

    Thanks Judy – teaching runs in my family ….. my mom has set that bar very high.



  3. MissDazey on May 31, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    You are a natural teacher, thanks to your Mom. The question is–what do you want to teach? I am assuming you want to stay in Iowa. I am also assuming you want to do something that includes lots of internet stuff.

    Are you still writing the travel book?

    I’ll be watching for everyone’s comments. I think we all go through periods of this kind of decision making. I am an example of doing everything wrong, so shouldn’t be giving opinions.



  4. Deb on June 1, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Miss Dazey –
    we don’t do wrong things, we just learn lots of lessons along the way!
    I do like teaching, and traveling, and this marketing thing I do.
    I am still writing the book – it took a different turn when Dad died, so now I’m waiting to see where it’s going. Still Mom and me though.



  5. maggie d on June 1, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    While I know you enjoy learning and teaching, I don’t think that a typical teaching job is for you. That may be my own frustration talking, but I feel that you want to make positive changes on the world, and you wouldn’t be able to do that in a regular teaching job. I think that you could teach alternatives (like living on less), or work for a charity that impacts people around the world. This may not be so helpful to you, but they are my thoughts (as unclear as they may be)



  6. Deb on June 2, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Maggie –
    that’s exactly the kind of thing I was looking for – and I agree, traditional teaching is not for me. However, I do like sharing knowledge (and learning myself in the process!) — working on some things, will write about it!



  7. Jody on June 2, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    You, my dear friend, are a doer, a connector and a problem solver. I think you have found your spot it’s all in how you use it. 🙂



  8. Deb on June 3, 2011 at 12:02 am

    Thanks Jody – working on using it! Then there’s the compensation part of the equation I could use some help on. lol