2024 was by far the most difficult and challenging year I've experienced. We had a miscarriage, my career went sideways, and money was always tight. Throughout all of it we continued working and adapting to get closer to the goal we've been climbing towards, Freedom.
Freedom means different things to people but as for myself, I don't want to rely on a grocery store, a power company, or any system set up to babysit the population. 2025 is going to be a year of reducing the amount of things I have to outsource, and food is at the top of the list.
Everyone will have different things they want to work at this year, but I believe freeing yourself and your family is the most important goal to strive towards.
"Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control."
-Epictetus-
Freedom means different things to people but as for myself, I don't want to rely on a grocery store, a power company, or any system set up to babysit the population. 2025 is going to be a year of reducing the amount of things I have to outsource, and food is at the top of the list.
Everyone will have different things they want to work at this year, but I believe freeing yourself and your family is the most important goal to strive towards.
"Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control."
-Epictetus-
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It's easy to get distracted and veer off course when things aren't going right. Having children that are always watching and learning from you, -even when you don't think they're paying attention-, should always bring you back to what's important.
About 3 children ago I started reading the stoics. I'm convinced that to be a good Father, Husband, and leader, applying that way of thinking is required. We should be virtuous, indifferent to external forces, live according to nature, rational, exercise self control, contribute to the good of our family, neighbors, and friends, and be strong mentally and physically.
At the end of the day we're not just raising children, we're raising philosophers and conquerors that will one day blaze a path across the world.
“This is what you should teach me, how to be like Odysseus—how to love my country, wife and father, and how, even after suffering shipwreck, I might keep sailing on course to those honorable ends.”
– Seneca the Younger-
About 3 children ago I started reading the stoics. I'm convinced that to be a good Father, Husband, and leader, applying that way of thinking is required. We should be virtuous, indifferent to external forces, live according to nature, rational, exercise self control, contribute to the good of our family, neighbors, and friends, and be strong mentally and physically.
At the end of the day we're not just raising children, we're raising philosophers and conquerors that will one day blaze a path across the world.
“This is what you should teach me, how to be like Odysseus—how to love my country, wife and father, and how, even after suffering shipwreck, I might keep sailing on course to those honorable ends.”
– Seneca the Younger-
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Progressive Overload isn't just for the gym, the idea translates into everyday life.
The jobs that were exhausting physically and mentally to me a few years ago are just another day at work today. My team quickly adapts, and I continue to push us all to be better at what we do everyday. My company has two departments and they are lightyears apart in efficiency and productivity. My counterpart has twice the people and less overall work. His guys are largely out of shape and brain rot on their phones most of the day. My team amazes me all the time when we're doing what used to take us 16 hours in 10.
By progressively challenging myself, my sons, and my colleagues to be better everyday, I've created a culture of excellence that pours over into everything we take on.
"If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got."
- Henry Ford-
The jobs that were exhausting physically and mentally to me a few years ago are just another day at work today. My team quickly adapts, and I continue to push us all to be better at what we do everyday. My company has two departments and they are lightyears apart in efficiency and productivity. My counterpart has twice the people and less overall work. His guys are largely out of shape and brain rot on their phones most of the day. My team amazes me all the time when we're doing what used to take us 16 hours in 10.
By progressively challenging myself, my sons, and my colleagues to be better everyday, I've created a culture of excellence that pours over into everything we take on.
"If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got."
- Henry Ford-
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In modern times it's very easy to
go to the grocery store and have access to any food item year round. Most people would say this is a great thing and marvel at how far we've come. I however see this as a huge societal weakness.
In my industry I see the food transported by ships and trucks up close and it's gets pretty unclean. Produce also gets harvested early and sprayed with chemicals to survive the trip and quickly loses vitamin content. By the time it arrives in your pantry it can be weeks old and a fraction of it's fresher self.
Eating seasonal from local farms is the most effective way to get the best nutrient dense food and often at better prices. It connects you more to your food because you know where it came from, and helps support local family farms. I started our farm after learning that the eggs in the store are often already months old (in America). The more I learn, the more I want to be self sufficient and protect my family from the food industry that doesn't have our best interest in mind.
"Do not seek to have everything at once, but rather to be content with what you have."
- Epictetus-
go to the grocery store and have access to any food item year round. Most people would say this is a great thing and marvel at how far we've come. I however see this as a huge societal weakness.
In my industry I see the food transported by ships and trucks up close and it's gets pretty unclean. Produce also gets harvested early and sprayed with chemicals to survive the trip and quickly loses vitamin content. By the time it arrives in your pantry it can be weeks old and a fraction of it's fresher self.
Eating seasonal from local farms is the most effective way to get the best nutrient dense food and often at better prices. It connects you more to your food because you know where it came from, and helps support local family farms. I started our farm after learning that the eggs in the store are often already months old (in America). The more I learn, the more I want to be self sufficient and protect my family from the food industry that doesn't have our best interest in mind.
"Do not seek to have everything at once, but rather to be content with what you have."
- Epictetus-
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We’re constantly bombarded with messages to buy more, upgrade more, and to be in competition to have the newest thing to be cool. It sounds like a pretty stressful way to live, and those people are never satisfied.
We didn't have many material luxuries when I was growing up. We took care of and valued what we had. I was happier with a stick playing in the woods than my peers with a new video game. I've raised my own sons to do the same, and they've developed some awesome hobbies outside the brain rot.
I imagine each thing we complicate our lives with as a heavy chain we drag around as we go. With so many worries and vices that we keep dragging around, it gets hard to see the small things that make us happy.
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."
–Epictetus-
We didn't have many material luxuries when I was growing up. We took care of and valued what we had. I was happier with a stick playing in the woods than my peers with a new video game. I've raised my own sons to do the same, and they've developed some awesome hobbies outside the brain rot.
I imagine each thing we complicate our lives with as a heavy chain we drag around as we go. With so many worries and vices that we keep dragging around, it gets hard to see the small things that make us happy.
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."
–Epictetus-
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This is my oldest sons most recent project. He built a scale wood model of the Russian PPSH to give to his best friend for Christmas.
After chores and homeschool he disappears into my shop for hours building different toys and models out of scrap wood I've saved. Almost all of his projects are gifts for his friends.
After chores and homeschool he disappears into my shop for hours building different toys and models out of scrap wood I've saved. Almost all of his projects are gifts for his friends.
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We all come from a long, chain of ancestors who by modern standards survived conditions we can't imagine today.
It’s their genes and their blood that make up our bodies right now. We our designed for resilience. No matter what situations we face, we can overcome them if we tap into our natural abilities to excel and destroy all obstacles that come up during our lifetimes.
"Our ancestors have left this to us in trust, to preserve and to hand on to our descendants."
- Marcus Aurelius-
( Pictured, my Great Great Grandparents holding my Grandfather.)
It’s their genes and their blood that make up our bodies right now. We our designed for resilience. No matter what situations we face, we can overcome them if we tap into our natural abilities to excel and destroy all obstacles that come up during our lifetimes.
"Our ancestors have left this to us in trust, to preserve and to hand on to our descendants."
- Marcus Aurelius-
( Pictured, my Great Great Grandparents holding my Grandfather.)
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A lot of times when I'm running a big work project it's absolute chaos. In my industry things never really go according to plan A, and people start to panic as they lose their perceived control of the situation. The ones who panic waste a lot of time frantically reacting to a problem, instead of calmly building a solution.
In these situations people will conform to calm leadership. No one really wants to be around people having panic attacks at the slightest issue. It's a calm confidence that puts others at ease; you become a safe harbor for those around you.
"The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength."
- Marcus Aurelius-
In these situations people will conform to calm leadership. No one really wants to be around people having panic attacks at the slightest issue. It's a calm confidence that puts others at ease; you become a safe harbor for those around you.
"The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength."
- Marcus Aurelius-
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The mental health of young people in America and around the world has been on a steep decline. Suicide rates and gender dysphoria among some of the most disturbing, with more children on antidepressants than ever. A lot of blame gets passed around for this but as usual, if we simplify things in our life, things get easier.
Homeschool aside, if we just let the kids be kids again and protect their childhood, the majority of these problems would disappear. You can use my sons as proof. If you let them play, explore, build, and conquer their own little worlds in childhood, they'll grow up into stable and self sufficient adults.
"What society does to its children, so will its children do to society."
– Marcus Tullius Cicero -
Homeschool aside, if we just let the kids be kids again and protect their childhood, the majority of these problems would disappear. You can use my sons as proof. If you let them play, explore, build, and conquer their own little worlds in childhood, they'll grow up into stable and self sufficient adults.
"What society does to its children, so will its children do to society."
– Marcus Tullius Cicero -
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It always blows me away how much my sons grow while I'm away working. Coming home last night after a week and seeing them all this morning; I swear they all shot up an inch or more.
Young fathers, treasure all of it. It will slip through your fingers every time you blink.
Young fathers, treasure all of it. It will slip through your fingers every time you blink.
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I look forward to bad weather. Our area shuts down a few times a year for hurricanes or winter storms. It's always an opportunity for me to stay home for a few days with my family, and focus on simple things like keeping the fireplace going and protecting our animals. These events test the model of the family I have forged and provide unique team building moments.
Modern degenerate culture has taught people reliance on someone else to solve their problems. This reliance turns into slavery in the end. Real freedom is doing things our own way and being the driving force in our own life.
"Freedom is the will to be responsible for ourselves. It is to preserve the distance which separates us from other men. To grow more indifferent to hardship, to severity, to privation, and even to life itself."
-Friedrich Nietzsche-
Modern degenerate culture has taught people reliance on someone else to solve their problems. This reliance turns into slavery in the end. Real freedom is doing things our own way and being the driving force in our own life.
"Freedom is the will to be responsible for ourselves. It is to preserve the distance which separates us from other men. To grow more indifferent to hardship, to severity, to privation, and even to life itself."
-Friedrich Nietzsche-
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In the past 5 or so years I've seen more people in our circles go full black pill with everything over the smallest set backs. Having a cause that you truly live for is essential to be able to look past all defeat and appreciate the little victories hidden in it all.
In being Boldly Optimistic and moving forward with life, we ditch the setbacks, and advance against our enemies no matter what they throw at us.
“Our actions may be impeded… but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
-Marcus Aurelius-
In being Boldly Optimistic and moving forward with life, we ditch the setbacks, and advance against our enemies no matter what they throw at us.
“Our actions may be impeded… but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
-Marcus Aurelius-
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I worked for over a decade for a company that always promised tomorrow and always came up empty. We all hoped that we would see some reward for our efforts, but in the end the company sold out to Bank of America executives while the old owner sails on a yacht around Greece. Now in less than a year the company has gone from being a 12-million-dollar company to closing its doors by the end of the year.
I was always very concerned that any other company I went to would be more of the same. That it would be better for me to stay and work with the devil I know. I've been told that the grass isn't always greener on the other side for so long I never dreamed anything would change. I was the first to find new work and quit, and the grass is pretty dang green over here.
It's not too late to find something else. Especially as we get older, we get into the mentality that we just have to suffer through something. What I've found throughout all industries is that now is the best opportunity to start a new career. Everyone is hurting for good people, and good people are extremely hard to find. Stop selling yourself short like I did in the last 10 years.
“Only, consider at what price you’re willing to sell your power of choice. If nothing else, make sure, man, that you don’t sell it cheap.”
-Epictetus-
I was always very concerned that any other company I went to would be more of the same. That it would be better for me to stay and work with the devil I know. I've been told that the grass isn't always greener on the other side for so long I never dreamed anything would change. I was the first to find new work and quit, and the grass is pretty dang green over here.
It's not too late to find something else. Especially as we get older, we get into the mentality that we just have to suffer through something. What I've found throughout all industries is that now is the best opportunity to start a new career. Everyone is hurting for good people, and good people are extremely hard to find. Stop selling yourself short like I did in the last 10 years.
“Only, consider at what price you’re willing to sell your power of choice. If nothing else, make sure, man, that you don’t sell it cheap.”
-Epictetus-
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Forwarded from The Nopestead
"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."
So today and every other day, thank you for being my best friend, my rock, and my husband. Thank you for being the most amazing father, provider, and role model for our boys. Thank you for everything you have done, continue to do, and have sacrificed for all of us. You never cease to amaze me and I'm so incredibly honored and humbled to call you mine.
Happy Father's Day to my husband and all the other dads out there! Thank you for everything you do for us all!
So today and every other day, thank you for being my best friend, my rock, and my husband. Thank you for being the most amazing father, provider, and role model for our boys. Thank you for everything you have done, continue to do, and have sacrificed for all of us. You never cease to amaze me and I'm so incredibly honored and humbled to call you mine.
Happy Father's Day to my husband and all the other dads out there! Thank you for everything you do for us all!
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After 7 sons and 15 years, I'm proud to announce our first daughter due in December!
If I, a high-school drop out, can have a family this size on a single income; what's stopping you? It won't be easy, you will struggle, and you will sacrifice. The things you sacrifice are insignificant and void of any real value. You will learn to live simply and ultimately live a happier life because of it.
I know having a large family and a large responsibility doesn't seem very simple, but once you get there you'll see how much comes about naturally. It is all within your reach.
Today many parents foster their children to consumerism and entertainment. A lot of parents are ruining their children because they seek to be children themselves.
“If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could be better changed in ourselves.
-Carl Jung-
If I, a high-school drop out, can have a family this size on a single income; what's stopping you? It won't be easy, you will struggle, and you will sacrifice. The things you sacrifice are insignificant and void of any real value. You will learn to live simply and ultimately live a happier life because of it.
I know having a large family and a large responsibility doesn't seem very simple, but once you get there you'll see how much comes about naturally. It is all within your reach.
Today many parents foster their children to consumerism and entertainment. A lot of parents are ruining their children because they seek to be children themselves.
“If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could be better changed in ourselves.
-Carl Jung-
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I'm here at the top of the mountain this morning after an excellent hike up.
Don't forget to enjoy these moments, and take every opportunity to have them when life grants the chance.
Don't forget to enjoy these moments, and take every opportunity to have them when life grants the chance.
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Today I delivered baby number 8, our 3rd at home, and our 1st girl. My Church, my home, and my friends group has had babies and pregnancy announcements in mass this year, and that gives me a lot of hope for the future.
My oldest son is learning to drive, and our newest is just a few hours old. Seeing all those smiling faces and coming home to such a wonderful wife has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Living simply, will slow the world around you, and you can take a breath and enjoy all of the things that would normally pass you by.
“But for those whose life is far removed from all business it must be amply long. None of it is frittered away, none of it scattered here and there, none of it committed to fortune, none of it lost through carelessness, none of it wasted on largesse, none of it superfluous: the whole of it, so to speak, is well invested. So, however short, it is fully sufficient, and therefore whenever his last day comes, the wise man will not hesitate to meet death with a firm step.”
-Seneca-
My oldest son is learning to drive, and our newest is just a few hours old. Seeing all those smiling faces and coming home to such a wonderful wife has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Living simply, will slow the world around you, and you can take a breath and enjoy all of the things that would normally pass you by.
“But for those whose life is far removed from all business it must be amply long. None of it is frittered away, none of it scattered here and there, none of it committed to fortune, none of it lost through carelessness, none of it wasted on largesse, none of it superfluous: the whole of it, so to speak, is well invested. So, however short, it is fully sufficient, and therefore whenever his last day comes, the wise man will not hesitate to meet death with a firm step.”
-Seneca-
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