Reducing the Three

A long time ago I wrote about the three unpredictable things in life, particularly in Canada: Work, Whether and Women. This time I'm going to write about another three which I have been trying to reduce most of my life. If you do, you'll be happy as well! Here they are:

1) Responsibilities: We all have many responsibilities our lives but most of us don't take the majority of them seriously. Our responsibilities start from the time we wake up and then continues while we are on the road, until we get to work and then drive or ride back home. When we reach home, we sigh and relax but we still are accountable and responsible for our acts. We're just not responsible for what we normally are toward our employer! On the road you're responsible to other drivers and have to obey the traffic law or you'll be fined. Many of us challenge them on daily basis and some of us get fined. At work we are responsible toward our managers and in general our employer or we get written up and disciplined and eventually if it is too bad, canned. At home we are responsible for our families: Provide a safe shelter, provide good food, teach the kids the values of the society and train them to be good citizens, neighbours, students, friends and siblings. Our responsibilities are endless. Some not as important, some very critical which if we take them lithely, we will see the outcome later. By not having a child and spouse, I've reduced my biggest and most important responsibilities and could focus on others. That's my choice. Many cannot avoid this but I, majority of the time, sleep worry-free because I'm only responsible for me. 

2) Risks: We all face risks in our lives on daily bases but I'm the one who has taken many risks and have narrow escapes. However my constant effort for reducing and mitigating risk is never ending! The biggest risk in my life was buying a one-way ticket after getting my Permanent Residency Visa and coming to Canada. Many people do that these days but they all have people who give them guidance and a place to stay when they come. I stayed at Motel 8 during the first two days of my immigration! 

One of the biggest that we all face is the risk of unknown circumstances when we travel for vacation when we go to the countries which are notorious for trouble and issues. The country which Canadians WASTE and I would like to repeat and stress, WASTE their money is Mexico! One of the filthiest, nastiest most stinking toilets in the world. Every now and then there's news about explosions, kidnapping, mugging and other such incidents about the tourists in Mexico or the losers who move to live there but people never learn their lesson. I've been living in Canada for almost 25 years and never set foot on Mexican soil, the country where its people shove drugs up their own ass to smuggle them and make money!  

In the meantime I have taken risks every time I travel to the mountains. That's the type of risk which I'm willing to take because I have control over it. It's not like I'm walking on the street and someone's attacking me to rob me.

3) Cost: There are costs which you barely can reduce. There are some that you can do. You need to focus on the latter. I personally believe that there are many controllable costs. You only need to accept the fact that you cannot afford everything and know your limits. Don't say I'm hungry and get a small sandwich a can of Soda for $11 and stay half-hungry for the rest of the day trying to convince yourself that you had enough and it was a good lunch! It's not okay to go to a bar every other night and spend $20 on booze and think of how to pay for the credit card at the end of the month. If a piece of Stake is $21, you don't have to eat one every day. If you're not a contractor or mover, why would you need a big ass truck?! There are practically hundreds of ways to reduce your expenses and live an easier life but the question is whether you want it!

(Photo: Pick up trucks are very popular in Canada and many people who do not need them, drive them on a daily basis for commuting to work and back or even buying their daily needs. In fact the Ford F-150 pick up truck was the most sold vehicle in the Province of Alberta, last year. Imagine the amount of gasoline and consequently harmful gases which would not have been consumed and emitted, had these people simply driven a normal sedan)