I Am Myself
Feb

This is a guest submission from Ricky Ferdon at Happiness-Is-The-Natural-State.blogspot.com.
The Grind Of The Marina
I worked at a marina for 22 years, being operations manager the last nine. I was the guy in charge. Everything rolled downhill to my lap. I was in charge of maintenance, hiring and firing, customer relations, insurance, everything. The hours went according to the sun, and so from April through October were long.
Most days were 10 hours, with weekends usually going to 12. The clearest way to put it: the job was crushing me. It was crushing my spirit, my sense of self, and my joy of life. I was on an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication.
I was overweight and just not happy at all. I felt trapped, due to financial obligations, with no way out. I woke-up each workday with tension very palpable in my back and shoulders.
Eventually I was able to get completely out of debt, and to save some money – not much, but some. One day the owner called me into a meeting and told me that the marina needed to go in another direction. He stated that rentals needed to pick-up, customer service needed to improve, and that a new burst of enthusiasm was needed.
He asked me, “do you think you can do that?” I paused, thought a minute, and answered, “NO, I’m not your man.” This was a bold, ballsy answer, as I realized somewhere in my head that I was stepping off the precipice of having a job and the “security” of that, and into the unknown. It was scary, and yet refreshing at the same time.
The Next Step
I left the marina the last day of September 2009. Fast forward: the first year of retirement was not that great. I DID get off of the prescriptions and cashed in my small retirement account that the company had for me. I went through some mental stuff and it truly took me almost that whole first year to be able to relax.
I “enjoyed” the first year socially, going out to eat and drink most nights. This blew a bit of my funds though. I was 54 when I retired, and had been working since age 13 in a family business. That’s 41 years of work.
A Passion For Running
In June of 2010, I decided I wanted to get back into competitive running and began a power walking daily program.
I cut back on my meals to one a day. Around October, I began to transition to running sections of my walking course, until eventually I was running the whole thing. Also in October of last year, I had one of those epiphany or enlightenment moments. I was chatting online with a young friend who I used to mentor when he was a teen.
His words “woke me up” as to my true meaning and purpose in life. All of the spiritual and philosophical studies I had done over my life, as well as my true nature which I possessed as a youth, came together all at once and I knew what’s what.
It’s now February 2011: I am happier and more content than I have ever been in my entire 55 years.
I’ve run in two races, winning my age group in the first one. I am vegan as of January 4th if this year. The passion of my heart is mentoring youth. I am now free of the time constraints and soul searing of a job that I disliked. I can now go to various athletic events of youth I know, I have time to teach kids how to surf (for free), I have the time now to be available 24/7 to any youth for any reason.
Going Forward
I am planning on helping to coach the high school cross country team next fall, and am looking into being a volunteer coach with the local recreation department. I am using the Internet as a contact base for the many youth I know and in meeting new kids.
One mission I have is to help youth to remain open-minded and free in a world through people and institutions that seeks to put them in a box and otherwise control their thinking.
I believe that we are born happy and possessing the accompanying joy. Just watch little kids at play: their smiles, laughter, freedom and one or two will always be running!
To me, the greatest sin is for anyone/anything to try to suppress/oppress that innate purity of existence which is their birthright.
This is my greatest heart’s desire. It defines me and gives my life meaning, period. I cannot accept that I will die one day, unless the time I have here is spent in the service to others. That service is to teach self-worth, to give unconditional love, and do it by unrestricted example. THIS, then, is what I can do now that I am free from the “grind”.
The grind held me down and held me back from truly blossoming into the free thinking, free spirit that I truly am.
After 41 years, I am myself.
Ricky Ferdon is a freethinker, minimalist, youth mentor, vegan, and competitive runner. He was born and lives in Georgetown, South Carolina. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and spent his last 22 years of employment working in a a marina.
He has been married twice, has two grown children, ages 29 and 33. He retired in September 2009. His blog can be found at Happiness-Is-The-Natural-State.blogspot.com.

Steve
Ricky,
Thanks for sharing your story with us. It’s definitely inspiring to see you living your passion, teaching our youth, and following your heart.
Ricky Ferdon
Thanks so much, Steve! It was a loooong road to get to this point, but I am so grateful to be free to be “me”. My heart’s wish is for all to realize their true nature.
Timo Kiander
Hi Ricky!
Congratulations, you have found your purpose!
I’m a runner and triathlete (in age groups) and running is a passion of mine as well.
I truly hope that I have a chance to compete much more at some point. Currently having a 9-5 is eating most of my time, but I have managed so far.
Ricky Ferdon
Thanks Timo for you kind words. Congrats on the running! I know from experience that it’s often difficult to find time to train when working a job. At the same time, I could come home from a stressful day, lace up the shoes and just run. It would melt away the tension. Just believe in your abilities and follow you body. Don’t necessarily buy into all the ideas out there that you should train this way or that way. Do what feels right! Peace and Love!
Chick italian
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story. Steve, thanks for allowing it. Look forward to more like this.
Ricky Ferdon
Thank-you, Chick Italian – happy it spoke to you! Peace and Love!
Patricia@lavender-oil
Hi Ricky & Steve
Ricky glad you are now living the life that you have chosen, rather than the grind of your former employment.
As a baby boomer I am embarking on a completely different career path. With a steep learning curve I am learning heaps from generous on-line blogging buddies and my fledgling business is up and running My dream was to have my own small biz and it’s happening.
Thanks for sharing with us Ricky. Appreciated.
Patricia Perth Australia
Ricky Ferdon
Thank-you, Patricia, for your comment. Good luck with your business – your page looks great! I liked what you said, and totally agree: “…taking action rather than just reading about what to do; will be imperative to my success”. There is indeed SO much info out there and plenty of opinions as to what one “should” do. Ultimately, we take in the the info then must filter it and cull it, and make our own decision. As a vegan, I can find 5 differing opinions on the subject of protein. As a runner, I can find so many opinions on how to train. We learn to read our bodies and tune into the natural discernment that is part of our true nature. And I am in agreement with your words regarding being true to content and being authentic. Thanks again and good luck with everything! Peace and Love!
Keshav
What a story Ricky. My morning was sad (similar to your situation) and your post brightened my day with fresh hope.
Thanks Steve for bringing this.
Ricky Ferdon
Thank-you Keshav! I see your blog and enjoyed the post about riding on the train. But, get to writing! Tell people about your “situation” and about your heart that yet remains free. Work is a game. Learn to play it very well without selling out your soul to it. Stay in touch with your inner self: your true nature, even through the dark and frustrating days. Peace and Love!
Leah | Smart Goals for 20-somethings
Steve great ideas for guest posts- I like that you’re including stories of people who are ending the grind.
Ricky – your story is great because it illustrates how important it is to take risks to become happily successful. Many of us fear failure but if you’re currently unhappy in your job what’s the worst that could happen? You find another unhappy job? In my opinion, things can only get better. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Steve
Leah,
Glad you liked it. I thought it would be helpful to include posts from those who are looking to end the grind and from those who have already done it.
Ricky Ferdon
Thank-you Leah, for commenting. It was a risk to answer my boss that day in that meeting with, “no, I’m not the man for it.” At the same time, it was as if a door was cracked in the darkness and I could see a sliver of light coming through it’s edges. And I reached for the doorknob and entered that light with a deep breath. “In my opinion, things can only get better”. I agree. No matter one’s situation, just hold on to hope that one day you’ll be free. Peace and Love!
Judy Helfand
Ricky and Steve,
Great story…hopeful. Ricky, I was wondering if when you were moving through this journey were you doing it alone? By that I mean, did you only have to consider yourself in the decision process or was there a spouse, significant other…or even adult children that needed your assistance?
P. S. you are a good writer, too.
Judy
Ricky Ferdon
Judy, thank-you for your comment. I loved your article on Gert Boyle. I’ve been wearing an old pullover Columbia hoody this Winter running, and so far in two races. Yes, I am married and the decision was on-the-spot as the meeting was unannounced so there was no planning as to my response and no talking it over with my wife first. So she found out after the fact. Fortunately, she accepted it without quarrel. Perhaps within herself, she realized it was the right move at that point in my life. Luckily I was and am debt-free. There was a small retirement account that I eventually cashed in. My wife is number 2 for the IT department of two hospitals and pulls in way more salary than I ever did. Financially, we’re okay. When my little fund runs out we’ll see what happens. I don’t spend any time worrying about the future. Thanks for the comment on my being a “good writer”. I feel my writing is a little primitive and undisciplined, but I’m learning from others such as Steve here at Ending The Grind. Peace and Love!