Bliss on a Budget - Week 6

You have all heard the saying - "Ignorance is Bliss" - The the other saying that "Knowledge is Power." Well we are going to combine these two sayings and come up with our own saying today - "Knowledge is Bliss" - Let's discuss getting some Knowledge Bliss on a Budget.

I am the kind of kid that came out of the womb asking "why" you know those kind of kids - they drive you crazy with the "why" - "Why do we have to .....?" - "Why can't I....." when I was a kid my parents managed an apartment complex. It was one of those that was several stories high and built around a swimming pool in the middle (they (the owners) had to fill in the swimming pool with dirt and call it an atrium - because people kept jumping off the roof into the swimming pool) anyway - I was only 3 years old when we lived there - and yet I wanted to know all that was happening and the "whys" all around the apartments. So everyday - I got up, got dressed, and went around the apartments visiting all the residents and finding out the "whys" that were happening in my little world. My mother will be slightly mortified that I am telling this story - because who lets their 3 year old wander around an apartment complex visiting people who pay you rent - but you don't really know - it was a different time. I saw my first poker chips, beer cans, and various other things at this time. When I got done with this - I would attempt to escape the apartment and see the "whys"down the very busy dangerous street - giving my mother a heart attack.

The good news is I have great parents. They are all about the "whys" too - I was given the ability to travel all over the country and even the world - growing up - See museums, eating at famous restaurants (even if we could only afford to eat the lunch menu), gallery strolling in various places from London to Carmel from Rodeo Drive to Paris, France. But it's not all just the glamorous stuff - We have traveled Europe and America on $20.00 a day - This brings a whole new set of whys - cafeteria's, pubs, KOA campgrounds, side adventures that entail a little gambling - because there are 4 people to feed and only $5.00 left for the day - So maybe I put my money (all 1.25 of it) on dad in Elko and maybe he won in the casino - and maybe - although Patcee and Emily were against the plan - we shared our bounty with them as well. I was prepared to go hungry, but felt dad was lucky - and it paid off!

I am also lucky enough to have a man who brings whole new "whys" to the table. Since he came into my life, I have been to live stock auctions, (bought 2 horses and a cow) I have learned to shoot a gun, cut the hooves of a horse, bought a ripper at a farm auction, spread acres of manure - and bought my first pair of cowboy boots - I have sat court side, won the contests, seen the game, made a whole new set of wonderful friends. All because of "why"- and the accompanying "sure I'll try that" that comes with the "why". I have toured - to name a few - the Caterpillar Plant, The winery, the Beehive House - The planetarium, the aquarium, and the Church(s) -

When I was in Norwich, England trying to meet up with my Grandma Kay who was there (that is a story for another day) I was told by the people at the hotel - "oh you must tour the castle, and the cathedral" - so by myself in a foreign land - I walked into the town and did just that. After visiting the castle - I walked over to the cathedral - Well - I did not walk to the right entrance to tour the cathedral - and somehow I got involved in a baptism ceremony that was happening for some lovely folks joining The Church of England. Although it took me a moment to realize - when I was handed a program, and then started noticing that everyone was reading their yellow highlighted part - when it got to my highlighted part - I said my part loud and clear, and then we were standing up, and sitting, down walking to the candles, lighting the candles, and after a song our two there was lots of hugging (including me) and good happy feelings - I did my best to high tail it out of there after that.

The point of all this is - I want to know it all! It continues to amaze me every time I learn a new "why" that there is so much more - I don't know, haven't tried or seen, I don't even know what I don't know - and I can't wait to find it out. I travel a lot for work, and when I am not working - I travel a lot because to some extent I am a gypsy, and because I need to have more experiences and share that experience with the people I love. My children are the most curious people on the planet - They want to know why, my man, wants to know why - and so we are all a perfect match. I have some people in my life that have no desire to know "why" at first I tried to bring them experiences - some tried and then jumped on board my "why" wagon - some were scared of the "why" and continue to be happy in their lives as they are - simple and without significant interruption - and I have to say to myself "well I tried" and move on - because I have my own mission, and you never know when it will be over.

So here are my recommendations for Knowledge is Bliss - Take a moment and look in your town - I am sure there is something there you have never tried, maybe you drive by it all the time and think "we should...." Well you should - so do it. Maybe it's watching a foreign film about a culture or country you dream of going to (Life is Beautiful in Italian - in English is cheating - don't worry they have subtitles) maybe it is learning a new language - not because it is practical -because you always wanted to - Maybe you subscribe to a magazine with information that is not part of your daily fare. Go to the Library - They have everything there for FREE!

Just a quick note here - If you are Republican - turn off FOX - If you are a Democrat turn off MSNBC - both of these are just feeding you a steady diet of what you already are hungry for everyday - This is not information this is lazy talking points.

Maybe you will read a book about something that you never tried, maybe you will eat food you can barely get your head around, hike the mountain, try some yoga (this is part of my next - why) maybe you go to the zoo in the winter - no one is there and you can really just sit and be with the animals - But whatever it is - Do something this week that handles an outstanding "why" and see what new "whys" pop up.