I clearly remember how amazed I was by this one persons freedom & happiness. It was about 2009.
I worked in wireless retail. (ouch)
This customer would  frequently show up at my store, and ask a bunch of questions about his phone service , He was really into newest Blackberry.

Id describe his appearance as “upscale but totally relaxed, down to Earth.
A large framed guy. in his mid 30’s.
Being chill- he stood out among my typical hurried, frazzled, “get to the bottom line ” vibing customers.
He was always pleasant and seemed to have all the time in the world.
For the purpose of this essay, I will refer to him a DUDE.

Dude.

Dude was a Realtor by trade.
He was HAPPY.

At that time in my life, his life- his freedome PISSED me off!

He had time. Lots of time.
And I didn’t.

In that season of my life,,my financed were less than stellar.
For example…..If I “lost” a just few “hours of work”?
-My (stupidly) financed car would have been repossessed.
-Food shopping would be pasta. ONLY pasta.
-My phone would have been shut off.

Dude lived in town .
He worked in town.
He rented an inexpensive, simple apartment.
He could walk or cycle to his office, & usually did-when he “worked”(10 hours a week?)
He owned one car. A 10 year old small car. He bought it used, paid cash.

Labels. Dude.

Because of these traits, society would judge Dude as:
-Lazy
-an underachiever
-low aiming.
-layabout.
-Unstructured.

Career Fail.

A few years later I played the role as a Realtor.
Glad I did it – glad I no longer do it.
(enough said).

During that chapter of my journey, I often thought of Dude.
Why the hell was HE so happy in this field that I enjoy about as much
as being electrocuted for 8 hours a day?
EVERY day.
At the time, I definitely could NOT understand his happiness.

Many years later- And I get it!
(I’m happy- and you can be as well).

I have learned that ones happiness is more than a career.
Or Stuff.
Or sunny days.
Or new cars.
Or home ownership

Happiness is finding meaning in your work.
Happiness is being part of a real community.
Happiness is the time to do more than “working to survive”
Happiness is when a person and their real values align.

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 Welcome to the R3volution
(You are not alone).
-Scott