I want to share this video with you all. I deeply enjoy some of the people connected with this project. I’ve fished Andros with Rebecca and Florida with Matt. I have talked to both of them at some length and I like them immensely as people. They are good souls. This movie has a lot of their souls exposed. You can pick them up, turn them around in your fingers and feel their grit. It’s heartfelt. A Deliberate Life.
Watching this now I do feel I have some perspective. I’ve gone through a few big shocks and changes in the past few years and I’ve come through all of it really better than could be expected.
I could have really tried to make a full go at living the passion when I got laid off in August. I really considered it and I had the support of my wife in doing so (she’s awesome). However, I ended up going a different route (although I’m still doing some work for Angling Destinations and who knows, maybe that will be what I do, full time, at some point down the line). I opted for Sales Client Services. I made a choice to talk to people about Heparin Antibody Panels and Platelet Aggregation instead of talking to people about fishing Andros/Los Roques/Belize.
I’m about 99.8% sure I made the right choice. I’m happy in it. I’m content in my work. It was a choice I made deliberately, consciously and of my own will.
In the wake of my divorce I made the decision I would be happy (although I’m a happy person, naturally, it has to be said). It was an easy choice for me, but there are plenty of folks who have not gone that route when faced with that particular fork in the road. Fast forward to today and I’m happily remarried and expecting a son any day now. I made a choice and lived that choice. Good things followed.
So maybe living deliberately isn’t as simple as just giving up your corporate gig to chase trout or bonefish or pike. Maybe it is about being wakeful in the choosing and loving your choice. That’s what I’m taking away from A Deliberate Life.
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I’m glad that your trajectory is up and to the right, boss. And that you’re being mindful of what’s important and makes you happy. That, sir, is exactly what it’s about.
Thanks for the kind words.
Bjorn, thanks for sharing this video. It was a rare treat to be able to watch the whole video instead of a trailer. It was very inspiring and I will redouble my efforts to live a more deliberate life. I’ve found a pretty decent balance between family, work and fly fishing/tying but not enough time fishing in Montana-beautiful scenery. I’ve had a life altering car crash and have a long road before I can work again so its all the more important to focus on balance. Best wishes with the new job, coagulation system and all but most importantly, your new bundle of joy, soon to be a new fishing buddy!
Eric English MD