I found inspiration to start this journey from ‘The Rut, & the Way Out.’ posted by Leo Babauta on his zenhabits blog.  I doubt anybody will find this post shortly after it’s published, but no worries if my site design looks eerily similar to Leo’s, it’ll get changed in the future.

I’ve come to the realization that I’m in a giant rut and instead of getting myself out, I’m digging myself deeper.

I’ve worked my entire life chasing a higher salary and becoming an expert in my field of study.  I’ve managed to claw my way to a six-figure salary, own two nice cars and have a nice apartment in a wealthy section of Houston, Texas.

The problem?  I hate my job and I live an empty, hollow life.  I put my career in front of everything else.  I’ve been divorced, twice, and I don’t have the greatest relationship with my fourteen year old son.

I’m happy though that I’m only thirty-five years old and have come to this realization now.  I have time to change things.  And, I’m thankful for Leo Babauta for publishing his blog that sparked this tiny first step of mine.  Let’s see where it takes me.

Along with following the Zen Habits blog, I’m going to study Bhuddism.  I was raised a Christian, but I honestly can’t say that I’m a believer.  I wish that I was.  It seems like it would make life a lot easier.  All the answers would be right there in the book.  Bhuddism is a lot more attractive to me in that it seems that it centers around living in the present.  This is something that I have no practice in doing, but it sounds that it would make for a peaceful life if it can be achieved.

I can’t remember the last time that I wasn’t worried about what I have to do tomorrow or what happened yesterday.  I think I must have been a child.

It sounds like the true definition of freedom.