When I was a young kid, my parents would sometimes send me to the grocery store to pick up a loaf of bread or container of milk. They would leave two dollars on the kitchen table on their way to work. After school I would find a note requesting the desired goods and go shopping. After shopping I would have some change from the two dollars (remember - that was the 60's). Often my parents would say "just keep the change." I could do whatever I wanted to do with the change. It was usually some instant gratification usage like bubble gum or candy.
When I was in high school, I would unload semi trucks at night for the company my father worked for. This opportunity would occur 3 or 4 times per month. I would get paid about $ 100 per truck. If it took me longer than 3 hours per truck to unload the 75 - 100 lb. sacks of turnips or potatoes, I wouldn't be able to do two trucks in a night. So I would bust my ass and usually have the two trucks to unload myself. The first time I was able to do two trucks in the one night (remember - I had school the next day) I offered back 50% of money for the second truck. It wasn't quite full and I didn't want the driver to think I was taking advantage. The old guy (probably was younger than I am now) said, "just keep the change." I could do whatever I wanted to do with the change. It was usually some instant gratification usage like weed, gas for the parents car when I borrowed it or draft beer at 20 cents per ALCB glass.
After high school I worked the drilling rigs for a year. Some of my friends worked in bars or restaurants, they got tips and were told to "keep the change." I don't know what they used the tips for, but based on the fact they were getting minimum wage - they probably used the change to live on. It was tax free at the time and it gave them a livable wage. I didn't know if I would ever get to "keep the change" ever again when I started to work in the oil and gas industry. As I moved up to land man for various brokers and oil and gas corporations - bonuses took the place of "keeping the change." I could do whatever I wanted with the bonuses. I used the bonuses for instant gratification like bigger homes, a better life for my family, cooler cars, faster motorcycles and travelling.
A little over a year ago I decided that I would start a charitable foundation. I wanted this foundation to be sustainable and not dependent on cash donations from the community. I had a vision of a charitable organization that produced oil and gas and that would get to "keep the change" of the industry properties. Minor operating and non-operating interests, oil or gas fields on their decline. Properties that would not justify the high fixed operating costs that most private and public corporations must spend due to Sarbanes-Oxley regulations or financing guidelines.
That vision is now becoming a reality. Last week, the Federal government granted Letters Patent for Philosopher's Stone Oil & Gas Foundation. Some of the work will be done by older workers that are disabled by arthritis. Working at less compensation or no compensation than their knowledge and time would garner in the oil patch. Philosopher's Stone will be able to grant flexibility in the work environment to allow for disabilities. Some of the work will be outsourced with the understanding that equal opportunity employers will be the only corporations utilized. In past posts I have articulated a more detailed version of Philosopher's Stone.
I am currently recovering from my surgery and am still getting questioned about the changes in my plans for the future, my goals and my willingness to expose my deepest thoughts to the "blogosphere". Many people think I have "too much time on my hands", that I'm losing my edge or desire for worldly rewards. I haven't changed how I feel about them or my family. I haven't changed how I feel about working hard and accomplishment. I still like living in a nice home and twisting the throttle of a hot "crotch rocket". I'm still excited when I watch the Arizona Cardinals play football (well - most of the time). It's just that now I see things differently.
The journey to acquire material wants has changed me, but no longer defines me. The strength to persevere has changed me, but no longer defines me. Position and status have changed me, but no longer define me. I am defined by those I have touched in this world. My family, my friends, my colleagues and acquaintances. I am defined by the passion to recover my health. Lost weight, beating arthritis and improved cardiovascular condition. I will be defined by the integrity I live my life from this point forward. So people are right, I have changed.
I will gratefully listen to my parents and I will "JUST KEEP THE CHANGE".
