Retire Early
Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler
In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
to take advantage of their wisdom and experience. |
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"Change Is
Hard," She Said
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli
It was cool sitting on the shaded veranda.
We were surrounded by a lush garden, and my
best friend and I were staring at the Bradshaw mountains of Arizona in the
background.
"Change
is hard," she said to me.
How many times have I heard this? But I
took a few moments to mull it over again.
“I’m not so sure it needs to be…” I gently
offered back to her.
I felt that emotional resistance of someone
who absolutely holds this belief to be true.
On her face I could see the “Oh, here she
goes again” expression that I sometimes get.
To this, I responded, “Look. I know
‘everyone’ believes that. ‘Everyone’ thinks change is hard because they’ve been
told it’s hard. They’ve been taught that it’s hard…
“Unbearable, even.”
The wrinkle in her brow told me she wasn’t
yet convinced. Over and over, life experience has shown her how hellish it has
been to make changes. She has always said that she didn’t “do” change very well.
Butterflies on a butterfly bush
I leaned in a little closer to her and
pointed to her garden.
“Do you see those plants?
“The butterfly bushes, the trees, the
roses… the vegetables you have in your raised beds?”
I could hear her say mentally to herself
“So?”
“They are changing.
“Every. Moment.
“Every second.
“They are growing, thriving, … just
BURSTING with life.”
I paused for dramatic effect.
With an open hand I gestured to her
manicured paradise and then asked “Does this look like a hell-hole to you? Do
you hear screaming, cursing, and gnashing of teeth because these plants hate
change?”
Bird feeders hung from the rose trellis,
and together we watched a few wild rabbits munching on the seed that had fallen.
Humming birds zipped through this idyllic scene and the silent butterflies
landed on her specialized plants to attract them.
Rabbits eating bird seed
“I think Life is Movement,” I almost
whispered.
Warming to my topic, I went on.
“Some people call it ‘Change’ and can
barely spit out the word because it takes them away from a comfortable routine
and they are afraid
of what might come next. But actually…
“LIFE MOVES.
“Try not moving for a day or two. Don’t
drink water, pass your bowels, blink or even leave your bed.
“I think THAT would be hard…
A few more moments passed.
“This garden that you enjoy every day is
the perfect example that movement and change are good. It’s easy, natural, and
necessary. Otherwise we’d be dead!
Backyard garden
“I think that we have been taught that
change is hard. We’ve been taught to hate it. Why not call it movement instead
and
just go with it?”
My dear friend just sort of blinked,
staring out into her amazingly full… abundant… back yard.
“Yeah, sometimes I just beg for these
plants to grow. I want to see what they’ll look like when they’re a little
taller or when they bloom.”
“I bet!” I agreed.
“And do you ever hear them cussing you
out?”
She gave me a crooked smile.
“They’re just doing what nature does –
grow, expand, bloom… drop a dead leaf… – Every. Single. Moment.
“I think that’s what Life is supposed to be
like for us too,” I sighed.
We soaked in the bliss of the warm breeze
rustling through the leaves. The fountain bubbled water, and we watched cloud
art float by.
Sipping on her iced tea, my dearest
companion said “ ‘Life is Movement.’
“The feeling is different when I look at it that way.
“I just hope I remember.”
Smiling softly and crunching on an ice cube
I suggested (to the both of us), “We’ll have your garden here to remind us just
in case.”
At that moment, the back door flew open.
“Wanna play cards?” her husband
asked enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Noodles, her 8-pound rescue pup jumped up on
her lap and started licking her face.
My girlfriend and I looked at each other
knowingly.
“Life is movement,” she said confidently.
“Yup, it shure is,” I said as I grabbed
Noodles and nuzzled into her soft fur.
About the Authors
Retire
Early Lifestyle appeals to a different
kind of person – the person who prizes their
independence, values their time, and who doesn’t
want to mindlessly follow the crowd.
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