 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” What does that verse have to do with escaping the rat race? Quite a bit actually.:) When we were children we learned to ask questions about everything. Not that we had no faith in our parents but we had a God given curiosity about why things were and how they worked. If you have a desire to escape the rat race you must relearn this skill you had as a child to question everything you have been taught up to now. For most of us kindergarten and the first few grades we were encouraged to dream about a life of adventure and having fun. Dad and mom supplied our needs and we enjoyed just being kids! In our early pre teen years, in the middle of all this fun, dreaming and adventure our parents, school teachers, and other grown ups started to portray to us how "life really is". Which I must say really did not make to much sense to me, if it was really that bad then why do it? But anyone who had those thoughts was soon labeled lazy, stupid or had just not grown up yet and realized how hard life really is. But the question is how much of the so called hardness of living is the rat race that society claims is normal? Here is an example. My grandparents raised over 90% of the food they ate on the small acreage they had including chickens and a cow or two for milk and meat. So needing money for food at the grocery store was very minimal, in fact they would not have starved because my grandmother canned most of the vegetables from her garden. So while my grandfather did work a 40 hour a week job, he had less stress because the money was enough and he did not lay awake at night worrying about feed his family. Here is another example. The Amish, whom have been for the most part outcasts of society, have not been the least concerned or stressed out paying high electric bills because they don't have any. I do realize a few have adopted using electricity but many have not. Please don't misunderstand me, modern conveniences are nice but that is all they are a convenience not must have things that make or break our life. And letting society suppress our child like ability to dream, have fun and ask questions is something everyone is going to have to deal with if you are ever going to escape the rat race. How is that done? One needs to start by asking the question is my daily life based on what I want to do or is it a conditioned response by the way parents and society has trained me? Another question only you can answer, is the American Dream about having more and more stuff or being free to be who I really am? Which leads us back to the Bible verse I started with. Child likeness is not avoiding responsibility. Child likeness is living a life of adventure and fun no matter what you do or how old you are and if you find yourself not having an adventure with your life maybe it is time for a change. A wise man I recently was introduced to posted a chart to help anyone rediscover the attitudes of a child and gave me permission to post this, hopefully it will help you also.  Please go take a look at Bob's blog and his websites that are helping thousands of people leave the rat race. Taking his advice will get you one step closer on your journey.
www.cheaprvlivingblog.com  Or is it one of the stepping stones to escaping the rat race?
I remember a few years back, when in my thirties, subscribing to Sierra magazine and was in awe of all the backpacking trips they sponsored through out the year. It made me research who the founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, was and how he lived. According to the Sierra Club he was a farmer, inventor, sheepherder, naturalist, explorer, writer, and conservationist - was born on April 21, 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland. Until the age of eleven he attended the local schools of that small costal town. In 1849, the Muir family emigrated to the United States, settling first at Fountain Lake and then moving to Hickory Hill Farm near Portage, Wisconsin. John Muir Biography While is parents made him work hard when he was younger he eventually developed a hungry for the beauty around him. How does this fit with the title of this post? First off I must point out I am not talking about giving away everything and living a life of poverty. That to me is not necessary, especially in the light of what Jesus said in John 10:10 "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)" AMP The minimalism I am talking about is not only "stuff" but also being in debt, working more and more hours to buy more "stuff" and probably other things I have not thought of yet.:) John learned to enjoy God's creation without the distractions modern man seems to think he needs. I call them distractions because they, for the most part, do not make or break your life. Cell phones, the internet, houses, clothes, vehicles, ipads, computers, email, career jobs or any other latest and greatest gadgets. While I am on this subject did you know most of what you think you have to have has been drilled into you by advertising? Interesting subject but will save for another post.:) One aspect of escaping the rat race is removing stress and one small step toward that is down sizing or minimizing which in many ways removes the so called "responsibility" society puts on us. Here are a few things one can start with: Turn Off Your Tv or Your Computer Remember when reading or enjoying yourself out side used to be so cool? While I realize for many of us there might be withdrawal symptoms doing this in steps, 1 or 2 days a week, might be the best way. Get Rid Of Debt and Stop Creating More Especially in a relationship debt can cause the most stress. But this goes hand in hand with the first suggestion of turning off your tv. Most folks are in debt because some advertiser convinced them they are just not with it unless they have (fill in the blank). Quit Comparing Yourself To The Neighbors He who "has the most toys wins" is the biggest lie since the federal reserve system. While it is wonderful to have and enjoy nice things dump the concept of doing or having because someone else you know has it to. There are hundreds more I am sure but to be honest this is where I am starting. I don't believe God intended for us to be stressed out and not enjoy life and getting rid of the junk and stressful debt is a good place to start. Hi folks,
Welcome to Escaping The Rat Race! Here I will be posting about my journey on what I am doing to escape the rat race many of us find ourselves in and hopefully help others do the same. | AuthorMy name is Curtis and I will be your host on this journey. CategoriesAll Popular Quotes
"It's impossible to have true freedom when burdened with the debt of a house. Extreme freedom requires extreme sacrifice." Bob Wells
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings." John Muir
"All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen." Ralph Waldo Emerson "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1 
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