Taxes

Benjamin Franklin said, "The only things certain in life are death and taxes."

Tonight I filled in my tax return alone. This is not exciting news, but it was in my mental list of "things to do NOW(!)" since August! I was very relieved to no longer carry the thought around. I am glad that my actions showed maturity and responsible time-planning ♥. I did it with 12 days to go before I travel, instead of pushing it aside until the last few frantic days. After my trip would have been too late.

I am also pleased enough to self-congratulate because dealing with cashflow/numbers/finances is really hard for me, uuuggh. That's why I dragged forever to do it. I forced myself to be interested because I must, I don't want to be clueless about it, but I do not have the heart for it. I used to pay people to handle them for me. It is fine of course, experts such as accountants are there to help us, but mine had not been giving me good advice.

I have a friend whom will look at my paperwork prior to lodgement, as it is my first time to tackle it without him. I should make this blog about him. I am lucky because since I came back home and him being aware of my future plans, he checks up on me to see where I could be improved or needed help. He is the same man whom prepared my will and testament. We've known each other more than a decade and I've never lied to him. We may have kept some information from each other while we were dealing with them (life), but eventually we've spoken openly about them - quite openly, honestly and humorously ♥. He is one of my confidant. He appreciates my effort to LEARN, and he encourages me, being one of the handful of people preparing me for the lifestyle changes I will (possibly) be going through. I'm grateful to have friends like him whom PROACTIVELY keeps me responsible, hahahah.♥

It's true, practise does make financial management easier. It is not about being too focused on gaining money (keeping it all for ourselves and our security). It can be about being aware of where I stand, and using the time and money available effectively. Having knowledge of my financial status and the policies that affects my investments arms me with intelligent questions to ask my financial planner. I cannot say I make good or right decisions - whether I get it "right" will be subject to opinions. But at least I know it is, or will be, suitable for my "free-spirited" future ♥.

Will and Testament

Today I signed and finalised my official will and testament. The first of possibly many, as my life stages evolve, and more or less may need consideration. I wrote a basic one about a decade ago, but I'm not sure if it would have held out in court, it was more a list, hahahah.

I had all the paperwork last month, but I kept pushing to work on it aside (until after my forthcoming trip). My tax return (which I was/am also delaying) was a higher priority. A good friend/blessing/confidante stressed my need to have one. He took the time to explain the legalities, and made it so easy for me to create the documents (he made it actually, I only had to read and approve it). He and another signed it as witnesses. Then it was done!

A lot of people don't have a will, especially an official one - written with lots of legal jargon and all pages signed with two witnesses. It felt really good and grown up to have one. It was satisfying to take responsibility of these confronting issues. But it was uncomfortable because it brought to the forefront of my mind the thought of my death. It made my head spin (figuratively speaking) to make plans for it.

Morbid stories were shared, with humour and reality. A story of an elderly whom have already chosen the clothes to be buried in. People whom already bought themselves burial plots (prime real estate, hahahah, ugh) and paid for their funeral costs and know which songs should be played!

I was asked how I would like my lifeless body to be dealt with. I decided I wanted to be cremated (Hhhmmm, I just remembered my brother passed away 3 years ago this week, the timing of this blog for my family may not be the best, sorry...). My family reside in various countries. If they wanted to keep a "piece" of me close by, they are welcome to separate my ashes. I like the idea of friends/family taking small bags of my ashes with them too, for them to keep or scatter wherever they feel like - at sea, in plants, on clouds, buried, at home, some place, etc. It sits well with the adventurer in me! :-) If someone decided to flush me down the toilet, that would still be fine, it is the person's way of saying goodbye (I would always be in their business, hahahah ugh sorry, one of the toilet humour shared).

I was also asked about organ donation (not part of my will). I will leave the decision to my family. I don't mind, but I do not feel at ease with the idea of being part of such a "list" while I am still living. In case a battle ensues on whether to keep me alive, for example between my family and my partner's family, or between my family, I request a concensus vote. The main executor of my will can (if willing) be the uneven count to make sure a decision will be made, but to vote the same time as everyone else so no one hopefully will know who voted a certain way. If two families are in conflict, the same system applies. Both sides with equal number, plus the main executor of my will (if willing). If one side has too many members, all their names should be placed in a covered bucket, and those names picked first by the other group (until they represent the same numbers as the other family) will have a vote. If it still comes to a standstill, please work it out. Remember I love a well-lived life, I will hold on to living for as long as I could, and while I am here I will always love you in words and actions, but I am not afraid to die and finally be with God.

Blessings and peace to all. :-)

Everest - Part II

A few days ago, I wrote the blog "Everest", talking about letting go of my goal to climb the summit, because the changes that may occur to my life may not be able to (financially) support this dream. I talked about accepting the consequences.

The situation has not changed. The battle within still rages. But in this blog I will give voice to the other side, and talk about perseverance.

Fair enough, my focus will not be... on myself. In stepping forward to the life changes, my self-centred plans will be pushed aside, and I will/may not have disposable income to be able to afford the high costs (of training, equipping, and travelling to practice climbing summits around the world). The summit dream requires both constantly present to succeed.

Instead of saying "never" though, I can continue dreaming BIG. Believe that there will be a third chance. Believe that the journeys of my new life may still lead to the second chance, where my personal dreams will naturally be included in the bigger purpose. The major focus may be different but I could still stay inspired and be motivated by this lesser priority mission. To trust that it will all work out and balance itself out.

To have that faith takes action. That's why we say "leap of faith", we have to move forward, even though we don't see what's ahead. The same as having faith in God when we trust and obey His plans despite the future not making sense or seeming to be insecure. We are not meant to sit idly. We can chase all our dreams concurrently with various levels of persistence, consciously and unconsciously. Just be mindful of our priorities and reasons.

When I was young I dreamt of many things, that made my journey through life wonderfully fascinating. Dreaming large should not stop when grown up. In fact, it is essential! Women in their 50s and 70s climbed to the top of Mount Everest. SO CAN I. These women were able to do it because they had many climbing experiences behind them. To walk the same path, I should follow their example - stay fit, keep healthy, train for altitude climbs on various mountains whenever possible, enjoy the journey and learn its lessons, and never give up on the dream.

Everest

"Dream BIG!"

... I was told when I was young.... So I did.... Why not? Dreams are free, gave me goals that felt grrreat(!) when achieved, and it gave me hope for the future :-). One that stayed consistent was to climb Mount Everest - to reach the summit, enjoy the top, and get back to base camp healthy. It is the biggest achievable adventure here on Earth for me!!!

Everything about it seemed impossible for me at the time - so high, so hard, so expensive, so far, so much training and preparation, and so dangerous. When I realised I could do it around 2005, I was "over the moon" (another dream, another blog, hahah)! I didn't take the opportunity, deciding to spend the money "wisely" for ventures, linked to dreams made with others, and I hoped would still eventually make my dreams a reality. I envisioned it'd delay preparation to climb the summit for about 2 years.

I have another opportunity to do it from now, before I get too old or unfit or financially incapable, while there are no kids to take care of. But again, there's a push to prioritise on something else. Life does that I know.... :-)

I stare at this photo A LOT. Really reflecting on my decision - to go or not to go. This is my hardest dream for myself I can make come true! I really want to go, NOW is the time to commit to training and to work (to finance the costs), with lots of preparation and balancing acts! It would take at least a year, and will voluntarily take me away from another path I feel/think I am heading.

NOT GOING now, will signify a HUGE change of focus for me. It will represent a change in what drives me, my motivation and my lifestyle.

If I don't seize this opportunity, my second chance, which I know in life sometimes never comes again, I may never go. Never say never, but I may not be able to reach the summit. Of course I'd still be happy to be standing at Base Camp admiring the landscape. My gratefulness will soar if I get to climb to higher Camps (1-4). But my spirit reaches for the top! EVEREST SUMMIT.

I won't regret letting go of this summit dream. I have faith in my reasons. It's just... there's a battle going on inside me at the moment. It's very hard to naturally accept what I picture as consequences, this a major example. Life-changing priorities and decisions.