I have been quite ambitious in the past, and I have had high profile jobs, including my own businesses. Career wise, most people who know me consider me as having been very successful. I have had new cars, big houses, nice furniture, the latest computers, never really had to worry about money. I thought, up until 2002, I was doing really well until my former wife pointed out to me that the life we were living was ridiculous. By 'normal' standards, we were doing great, but in actual fact, she was right - our life had become quite ridiculous. Like so many other people, I was in a rut, working for everyone else except myself, and paying out huge amounts of money on totally useless things. I literally did work for myself in my own businesses, but I wasn't really working for myself - I was just a slave to the business. Maybe I just wasn't a good businessman then. Regardless, family life suffered, and I personally wasn't really going anywhere. My wife at that time actually became ill with high blood pressure (like so many do), and she wasn't having a good time! I was wasting my life, my family's life and lots of money, and when I took a look at what was going on, I realised how stupid I was. I always thought I was so smart. This was not life; it was an existence, and a pretty poor existence at that.

So in late 2002, my ex wife convinced me a sea change was appropriate, and once again she was right. We packed up and left the cold climbs of Canberra for sunny Queensland. We bought a property and started simplifying our life. Money was a bit tight, but we managed and our lives improved significantly. It wasn't so much the location, although I loved south east Queensland, it was the fact that we answered only to ourselves, and that we could choose our own lifestyle. We dispensed with lots of complications and life became relatively simple. It was this simplicity that made all of the difference. We were somewhat remote (20 minutes from a small town and 2 hours from a large city) and we didn't have to participate in the more stressing aspects of life. We had left the city behind and were now in the comfort of the country. We sort of did as we pleased, and it was really nice.

Strangely enough, despite the positive move to the country, my marriage broke down in 2005. I don't think it really had anything to do with the move to Queensland or the lifestyle we both seemed to enjoy so much. There were other problems, as there inevitably are. The separation and divorce happened fairly quickly, and my life as I knew it for the last 20 years, just vanished. The property went, along with my lifestyle and employment. Friends largely disappeared. My community involvement went, and of course my family was now estranged from me. Talk about a shock to the system. My brain just couldn't cope, and I don't think I had ever used my heart - it was in total disarray. Nothing like a major shake up to one's life to bring about a major re-think on life. So that's what I did.

And the answers my friends. Well, for me anyway, given my situation. I seek a simple and relaxed life. I do not subscribe to complicated living any more - other people can do that if they choose. Dispense with as many of life's complexities as possible. In Australia we live in a society that is very commercial, and I think artificial. We are told what to do, how to do it, with whom, and when, by the media and by governments. We are compelled to work till we are in our sixties, and our lives seem to be owned by governments and big business. We must pay superannuation, we must subscribe to health insurance (otherwise we are penalised), we must pay bank fees, and we must submit taxation returns. We are regulated and manipulated and it has become very obvious in recent years, that most people can't cope. For the first time in Australian history, people are realising they may never be able to afford to buy their own house. Personally, I don't think it really matters, but it is an indication of how life is changing in Australia. People are just being used to accumulate revenue for governments and big businesses. There are so many blatant grabs for money it's not funny - road tolls, stamp duty on sale of houses, capital gains tax - what a joke, payment of commission for using your credit card, etc. The focus on life now is fairly and squarely money - that's it, and we just keep paying. Nothing else matters in Australia - it has become part of our culture. So sad.

Well, I don't play that game anymore. Fortunately, my ex wife left me enough money to live comfortably in an Asian country. Nowhere near enough to live in Australia of course, but I no longer wish to live in Australia anyway. So the Philippines is looking good - warm, friendly people, beautiful ladies, relaxed lifestyle, cheap living, and simple governments and businesses. They seem to be about 50 years behind Australia in many aspects of life, so they still treat people nicely and it means it's easy to predict what is happening in the future. There is no need to work hard or long hours because you can live comfortably on a small investment and a small income. So, its back to farming for me. That's what I like doing, and I think that provides me with the answers to life. It's enjoyable, relaxed and simple. You wont read about me in Farming Weekly, and I won't win any small business awards. I'll just be the one out there enjoying life. I'll work if and when I want, and I'll work for my family and myself. My life with my new partner will be one where the heart has some say in my daily routine. We will value love and care. Communication and honesty will ensure a successful relationship.

Isn't that what life is meant to be like? And if you think it's a bit too simple, well you are right it is. It's simple and perfectly achievable, and in my opinion that is what life is all about.

If you want to express your thoughts on my blog, please do - let me know by e-mail - and let me know if you are ok with me putting it up on this page . . .

Ken

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