Journal #20: Josh

This is from a journal written on January 29, 2022, in Cartagena, Colombia.

Yesterday we closed out the work week and went straight to a bar to grab beers and watch a Colombian futbol match, a FIFA qualifier round.

Brett was texting this guy who had approached him in the co-work the other day. They were sitting near each other, and after Brett closed one of his sales calls, this guy complimented him on how he sounded on the phone. He told Brett about how he founded this company and has seven contractors working for him right now. As it turns out, he had just fired his only sales guy, so he had to start running sales calls himself. A struggle for him, he admitted, as he is an engineer.

Anyway, this guy, Josh, met up with us at Beer Lovers that evening, and we had a constant stream of stimulating conversation from that bar on into dinner.

He's been a digital nomad since 2018. Yeah, all through the pandemic. When Covid-19 hit the globe, he hunkered down in Mexico.

We talked about politics...

and the state of democracy and how things will worsen before they get better. He offered a fascinating theory that technology will take the place of traditional government one day, potentially through the blockchain and other decentralized and secure technologies.

We talked about Colombians...

and how they are more happy and friendly than people in other countries. Josh noted that the reason is that these people and this country are on the upswing. They were in a horrible, dangerous state not too long ago. People are living here that were alive and remembered the bad times. And now, they can walk the streets safely, and their businesses thrive. Their quality of life is far more excellent than just twenty years ago.

We talked about where he was from...

a small town in Greece but moved to the UK for school and stayed there for 20 years.

We talked about his experience traveling...

Josh explained that once you start to travel long-term, you inevitably begin to assume an entrepreneurial mindset. And once you act on that (becoming your own boss, starting a company, etc.), it becomes harder and harder to relate to your peers back home.

He told us this story of his friend whom he has played basketball with since they were 14. The last time he went back to see him, though, his friend had greying hair and a beer belly.

Josh is 39, by the way, but he looks a solid 32.

We talked about life...

and the ultimate question: would you be ok with dying tomorrow? In other words, do you feel like you've made the most of your life?

Brett answered yes. I answered yes. And Josh answered yes.

Even though Brett and I are only in our twenties, we can't afford to wait to do something with our lives. We could die tomorrow. Some might argue that the lifestyle we've recently chosen increases our odds of dying young, and maybe that's true. But we're living and experiencing the world. If I did die tomorrow, at least I tried to send it.

Then it occurred to me: If stress is the most prominent factor in early signs of aging, then maybe most people are subconsciously answering, "No," to the ultimate question. And that stress is more significant than any job, relationship, or living situation.

Because some people know deep down that they haven't truly lived, experienced the world, and know that they would not be ok with dying tomorrow.

Damn.

I also want to note that I understand my privilege in living this lifestyle; not everyone gets such an opportunity. But you don't have to travel to feel like you've lived your life with purpose. It could be hanging out with your elderly neighbor now and then, volunteering at a local church, orphanage, shelter, food bank, or becoming an assistant coach to a youth sports team.

There are so many ways to make an impact and live purposefully. Right now, that is traveling and meeting people from other cultures and broadening my perspective on the world.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this night talking to Josh and his brother. It just reinvigorated my desire to continue pursuing this lifestyle and all the benefits it's shown to me mentally and physically.

As Matthew McConaughey would put it, Greenlight.

I hope to cross paths with these greek brothers again.

Continued...

Right after writing this, I read another chapter of You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero, and I got to say, it continues to amaze me how this book meets me right in my thoughts and backs me up.

So listen to this:

In Chapter 12, Lead with Your Crotch, Sincero talks about the problem with getting older and choosing a more "grown-up" version of life. You know, the one where you settle down and start taking a more "realistic" approach to everything you do. She talks about the importance of constantly living our dreams.

"We only get to be in our bodies for a limited time. Why not celebrate the journey instead of merely riding it out until it's over?"

The following are some of her nuggets of wisdom from when she started a band with her friend and little brother. They called themselves The Crotch.

"1. Just See What You Can Get Away With. Live with a sense of "Why not?" It takes all the pressure off, puts the punk rock attitude in, and reminds me that life is but a game."

2. Lose Track of Time. Figure out the things you get lost in and start doing more of those things more of the time."

3. Keep Being the Beginner. Let the Beginner live alongside the expert. Hone your skills; take your craft seriously; learn what you need to learn; invest in yourself; practice your ass off; fall down, get up; keep going; get really, really, really good at what you do, but don't lose the fun in the process."

4. Love Yourself. And the bluebirds of happiness will be your permanent backup singers."

BOOM. I still don't know what I'm doing with this life I've been blessed with. I don't know where the heck I'm going with this blog, but it brings me joy to be present and write about my life as it's unfolding. I will keep learning as I go, lose track of time in the process, see what the hell I can get away with, and love myself through it.

Oh, and share some stories of the people I meet along the way, like Josh.