"How did you come to this idea?" well that is a hell of a question. Was it yesterday? Six months ago? Two years ago when I was told I had diabetes? Maybe it started when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago or all those late nights in the ambulance when the seed was planted. Who knows, but if I think real hard I would say the seed began to actually sprout about six months to a year ago...maybe the diabetes diagnoses was the rain that got it moving.

So, when I was diagnosed with diabetes I was eating like crap, drinking like a fish, "socially" smoking a pack at a time, not exercising and fighting with my wife on the regular. Add in a couple other self destructive behaviors and my life was in a steady downward spiral. I mean, I should not of been. I had the great wife, good paying job, nice house, two dogs, all the freedom I could want....and yet I was miserable.

So the diabetes thing came as a blow. I had just seen my dad loose nearly all of his toes to diabetes and I had transported enough diabetics in my paramedic career to know it is a long term unpleasant disease that has some serious late years consequences. Knowing all of this, I didn't change my lifestyle. I continued to eat and drink and smoke and fight. My wife must be a saint, through all of it she tried, tried dearly to help me change. She vehemently disagreed with smoking, changed my diet for me, and encouraged exercise. We still kept drinking and I still resisted the healthy changes.

Fast forward to six months ago, my dad get's told he needs a cardiac bypass. I went to the hospital with him and then to my parents house where I proceeded to get annihilated, made a complete ass of myself and fell asleep. The next morning it occurred to me that I had a serious problem. That day I quit drinking, I quit smoking, and I started to change.

A week later my wife asked if I wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon, to which I replied "hell no!" That night she asked her father, who answered "yes" and  there it was...I was "brow beat" into running a marathon.

That has been an epic change. From that point forward we began exercising 4-7 times a week, revamping our eating habits, living a completely different lifestyle. Heck, just working out together was a major boon for our relationship.

Now change tends to go the way of landslides and fire trucks (thank you Phyrne)...it don't stop. As I spent no time drinking and much time running I had ample opportunity for introspection. I realized that in many instances I was an ass, my priorities we majorly skewed in the wrong direction, and that I was not happy where I was. I have never been one to sit still very long...especially not when I have identified something is wrong.

So I started making small changes. I listened more, then I began to actively listen when people were talking, trying only to think of what they were saying and not what I was going to say. I vowed not to say what I thought should be done or try and solve problems that were being told to me. I began to verbalize when I recognized I was acting in an unacceptable manner. When I got grouchy and wanted to fight I would often recognize after I had started down the path, then I would verbalize what I had done and say I would try harder next time.

After awhile the worst of my habits began disappearing....There is still room for improvement, a daily process of introspection and growth is crucial.

But why is any of this interesting to you aside from it being a story of another person's struggle for self improvement? Because I have recently decided I am going to quit my comfortable and secure government job. I am going to quit in an attempt to pursue those projects and opportunities that interest me. I am quitting so that I can be free to engage those opportunities that arise rather than bemoan the fact that they passed me by. I am quitting to declare my independence from the system!

But again, how is that revelation interesting and pertinent to you? I am certain thousands do this... or at least consider it.

Well, once I decided that quitting my job was ok, facilitated by my wonderful and beautiful supportive wife....it's like the vail was lifted, like anything was possible. The answer to all problems had come to me. The future held endless possibilities.

I began telling people how my wife told me she wanted me to quit my job, and most of my friends encouraged the move! One suggested I read the 4 hour work week...uh oh!

28 pages into it I put it down, screamed eureka! I called Christine and told her I wanted to sell all of our worldly possessions and that I wanted to move into a tent. She concurred. I explained more, telling her that I wanted to live, to see, taste, and feel the world. I wanted to quit living to work and start working to live.

We started this 2 days ago. We are giving away and selling all of our possessions that do not have a specific use or sentimental value. I am quitting my job in the coming weeks, I will focus on selling everything, getting the house ready for sale, and growing lasting streams of income that can be operated from a distance.

We plan to sell the house in August and hit the launch button. One of our friends is on board to do this with us. A high school friend of mine suggested I blog about the experience.

So, here is the blog detailing our revolution! Care to follow along?