Free …

I had dinner with some friends the other night, and we talked about the difference between our professional lives and how we truly see ourselves. The four of us; three in IT and one in Finance, spend our days with data. With numbers. We configure. We test. We document. But none of these friends seem to be defined by those systematic, methodical tasks. So I asked them, “How would you describe the ‘real’ you in one word?” One labeled herself a hippie, the second, an explorer. In my mind, I was a mountaineer. One simply said, “Free”.

It’s no wonder I’m drawn to these women.

So many of us spend our days doing things that are such a departure from who we really are. I spent some time thinking about my response. A mountaineer. But that single word didn’t fully describe how I want to develop over this next part of my life. I feel most alive when I am in the process of capturing moments … the beauty in the curve of a leaf, the rich scent of a grove of cedars, the melodic sound of a mountain stream. To photograph and write about my experiences makes them a part of me. I want to be outside. Always outside. Wildlife, new places, different cultures … I’m voracious. Intrepid. A wannabe gypsy.

I spent a recent lunch hour browsing Class B motor homes. Downsizing is a big part of my master plan to evolve into … me. It’s going to take some patience to get there. I need to balance responsible saving with spending that supports my travel addiction. I need to clear out my garage, my closets, my drawers. I need to work out a budget. I need to figure out that Social Security sweet spot. I need to stay healthy and strong. So today, I’m a business analyst. But tomorrow …………..