what life can really be about.. reached a decision..

[BaliLife]

Hi all,

So as usual, I'm at work and bored.. Fortunately I don't really work in a supervised position, so I can kinda be around as much or as little as I want.. Lately its been very little..

Reading this forum usually keeps me going throughout the day, at least for the 2hrs or so that I stick around the office..

Anyhow, the other night I was watchin bbc (best unbiased news station in the world) and I came accross a show called 'the hapiness formula'.. I should start by saying, I've been a little on the downside lately - a little depressed with some big lifestyle changes.. 3.5 months ago I was 281.5lbs, now I'm 200 - have been on a very stringent medically supervised diet.. though physically feeling better, it hits your lifestyle - my wife and I used to eat out 4-5 nights per week, but with the rabbit food ur allowed on this diet, it can't be done.. I still have a small amount to go (13 lbs) and the upside is now upon me.. Have started exercising and enjoy it.. In any case,m to get to the point, this show was about the effect of consumerism in our western societies, and how we work to buy and that the consumables we buy don't satisfy, so we work more to buy more.. Nothing too new.. But it went further and it was all backed up by credible studies.. It said that the more brand aware children are, the less happy they are.. And I think of the stories that my father used to tell me about growing up in iran,, they def had far less that what we have, but the joyful childhood they speak of, with such a simple life was definitely a treasure.. So anyhow, my revelation reaffirmed one thing.. That I want my kids out of this consumer driven society, I want them to be happy, understanding the simple wonderful things in life.. We're fortunate in that we're a young family (under 30) and don't need to work.. So I'm going to move the family to our villa in bali next year, spend every waking moment with my kids, I'm gonna learn how to surf (was always too fat when I was a kid), lay on the beach with my son, travel as often as we like to perth and sometimes back to vancouver.. Basically veg out.. Going to buy some land up near bedegul and have some folks run an organic garden for the household..

Sergio's comment the other day about how he wants to love close to the beach so when the surfs up his son can ditch school and go surfing with him really resonated with me.. We come from a very education focussed background, and actually one of the other options (what we were previously planning) was to go back to perth to study more (got into a masters program).. But after reading sergios comments, it made me realize, that those are the kind of memories that u can give ur kids, that are a real gift, they'll cherish them forever.. Not buying them a new car.. Don't misunderstand me, I know indo is not without its pockets of consumerism, but its far less and fortunately the western disease of consumerism and materialism hasn't yet choked indonesian culture as it most certainly has in the US and is doing so in canada..

Just my thoughts, like to know yours..

Ct

[matahari]

right on balilife.. I totaly agree with you.

the term "the simple things in life" is surely underestimated. To be able to enjoy life without depending on material and in many case just plain pointless stuff is the way to go.. at least that´s how I feel.

When I`m in an enviroment such as where I live right now here in Norway where It´s easy to see how the materialism is getting it´s claws into most of the people I just don`t feel as happy as when I am living amongs people who has in my mind a better sense of what is meaningfull in life.

Good luck with the move and everything.. :)

[Jim Thorpe]

Balilife,
I am curious, since you have commented, if you have changed your impression of the BBC since their own investigation has shown them to biased?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... bbc217.xml

Cheers!

[FreoGirl]

I appreciate where your coming from Balilife - and I hope you find it.

My observations though are that the average teenager in Indonesia is far from immune to the consumer trap, and in Bali where the standard of living is better for most than other islands, it is very much in play.

I guess though that there just may not be as much to buy in Bali? But most teenagers there want 1. a mobile phone, 2. cool clothes, 3. a motorbike, 4. a computer , and on it goes. The pressure for my step kids to have mobiles is pretty strong from their peers.

That being said, what I like is the balance between work and life. Work doesn't come first - if you need to attend a ceremony then you do. If you have a family matter, you can deal with it. The trick will be keeping that going with the younger generation.

[BaliLife]

yes.. agree with all of you - (except mr thorpe:P).. i'm also a foodie.. obviously - afterall did hit 281lbs (not on junk food either) - so now, one of the things i find pleasurable, more than ever is cooking with fresh, quality produce.. my wife is going crazy - every night i'm up til 2am cooking.. in any case, i'm getting an outdoor kitchen put in at the villa.. food is without a doubt one of the joys of life.. that being said, any good recomendations for buying quality western specialty ingredients in bali? or do i need to import myself? e.g. balsamic, parmesan (& other cheeses - not cheddar), spices, etc??

ct

[InAdelaide]

Hi There was an Article in the Jakarta Post that most Indonesians have suffered Depression to some degree since the economic downturn, and I read in one of the papers a few months ago that in Gyniyer ( I know the spelling is wrong) in Bali... has the highest suicide rate among young men in Indonesia. I was surprised.......I was told by someone that 50% of Balineese teenage boys use drugs, its a big problem. ....

My advise would be to get back on track before making any major changes....

At the same time I think 2 or 3 months in Bali would be great therapy and better than sitting at home

[Jimbo]

"the simple things in life"

The problem is that life is not so simple and is very difiicult to survive without money, work, education etc. If you take the simplistic view that you can just lotus eat and be happy you are heading or disapointment for your self and family.

I do not believe that you can just go fishing( or surfing and not go to school.s (work, college)etc. We all have responibilities. I do agree however tha life is too materialistic and that simpler times were better but then each generation says that.

[JAMIE]

Well bali life , for me John Lennon wrote it best with "imagine" and the best I can do is dream of a better life( for all of us ) .Consumerism has reached every corner of the world , almost and its only gunna get worse . But more important then that is your taking hold of your health , well done and keep up the good work !

[BaliLife]

thanks jamie / all..

jimbo - i agree, can't just do nothing forever.. there's a business in bali i'll be running but it will afford me much spare time.. fortunately money is not an issue.. i def wouldn't allow my kids to skip school all the time, and as it stands a quality education is a must have..

again folks, if anyone can give me some tips on 1. quality western food supplier, 2. surfing (re a board and lessons) would be much appreciated..

ct

[Bert Vierstra]

I know how to eat, but not how to surf

http://www.dijon-bali.com/

http://www.balideli.net/