Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. —Pele
October’s Muse 2026: Back on Track
The View from My “Office”
My muse this month is my own life. Things have taken a turn for the better, and that makes me excited to write about it. I am certain about two things right now: Some people have it a lot better than I do, and some people have it a lot worse. Many people have a lot of things in common with me. Right now, everyday living expenses in the United States are extraordinarily high. Gas and groceries cost more now than at any time in history. Health care, utilities, and pet food cost more, too. I am grateful I have a home, that I can afford to have pets, and that I am finally employed. I know many are struggling with economic issues too. But I can feel both grateful and aggravated at how hard it is to just live. The 32 months I spent looking for a job cost me dearly.
Not caught up on the Muse? My Q3 Muse brings some of what led to this moment into focus.
Stormy Road Through Colorado's San Juan Mountains
Did I mention I am finally employed? The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is partially managed by a company that oversees the hiring and employment of 25 National parks that are in the western part of the United States. They hired me, and I start next week. I had a sales job last year, which did not work out. Just note these two words: sales and job. For me, it was unsustainable. But I am FINALLY employed. Which means now Paul and I can get back on track with finances, building our lives in such a way so that we can eventually retire, and also live a life we love. We have worked hard our whole lives and we intend to live all of it in ways that we enjoy.
A few months ago, I wrote about finding my “Next There”. It turns out getting back on track is an important part of getting there.
We are very committed to making our media company, Best of Both Worlds Media, work. So far, we are making a lot of progress. I am launching my new apparel and drinkware section of our online store this week. I have been invited to have affiliates in my work. And I have applied for Google AdSense. Monetization is a necessary part of this. I have also had invitations to write in other publications. All of this is really very good.
What I hope to do is both document and hopefully inspire others to see what we have done, which is to pull ourselves out of a serious hole and come out doing well on the other end. We had a pretty big temporary setback with all of the employment struggles, but we are now both employed. I will never think poorly of anyone who is in that situation. Now is not a great time to find a job either, as our whole economy has been incredibly challenging for most Americans.
One thing about Paul and me is that we are resilient and determined. We have a lot of crazy creative ideas. But those ideas are only crazy until they actually work. They are beginning to actually work. I think there's a certain kind of faith involved in pursuing a dream. You have to believe your dream is possible, even when you don't yet have the evidence for it. And then you have to keep working toward it. I believe that providing content that is helpful and gives people hope matters too. It has not been easy, but we have also not given up. I love the idea that only you ever give up a dream. No one can stop you from continuing to work toward that dream. The past ten years have brought a lot of adversity. Despite health issues, the loss of loved ones and pets, employment struggles, and financial challenges, we are finally back on track. That is because we did not give up.
Sunlight Through Autumn Trees in Colorado
Our goal is to eventually work entirely for ourselves, but that plan requires that we be employed for a while. I am so grateful to have found this position. They are a great group of people to work with. I know this is a great fit, and I will really enjoy working there. Not a bad way to get back on track.
We are very committed to making our media company, Best of Both Worlds Media, work.
More than anything, I am sleeping again, and life feels so much more sustainable. This means our dream of eventually moving to Europe and retiring is that much closer. We don't know exactly how we'll get there yet, but we believe we can. That belief influences the choices we make today. It’s funny, I’ve watched a lot of television shows and podcasts about people moving to Europe, and I’ve read plenty of stories about their experiences as well.
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This is the view from my new “office.”
The Trail Back: Autumn Hiking in Colorado
What they skip over is how people got there. What did they have to do? Okay, some people sold everything, and others had plenty of money to begin with. But what if you have neither of those options? That is the heart of why Paul and I are trying something new and completely different with Best of Both Worlds Media. This positive turn in my life has renewed my trust in myself and reminded me that perseverance is a really big deal. I think what matters is finding your dream, whatever it is, and creating a life that makes achieving it possible.