skidbrake

I'm a book publisher living on the central coast of California. This is my work: http://www.informedguides.com. It is how I support myself and others and I am fortunate to be able to do it well, but it is not my life. In recent years I have been awakened to the futility of consumerism and the culture of consumption as a substitute for real living. I was given sight with which to examine my own selfish and wasteful behaviors and it sickened me. I have been working to change the ways in which I live, work and consume and am enjoying this process. I have given reason authority over impulse and am discovering that most of my perceived needs are false. This is liberating. As the self-imposed burdens lessen, I am finding more time, energy and money to invest in the people I care most about -- and some I do not know but am now feeling concern for. I have also learned that leaving the rat race does not require disengagement from the competitive world. The perceived disadvantages to being "off the fast track" are false. There are parallel paths to the same destinations that are more life-affirming, ethical and just as financially rewarding as those we are told to follow. To find these alternative paths you must stop talking and listen. That is the best lesson I have learned in recent years. As we enter this New Year I look forward with excitement to the new things I will discover by keeping my mouth shut and my mind open.