top of page

Finding Peace in What Is: Lessons from Unfairness and Living Simply

Sep 17, 2024

4 min read

0

0

0




enough

Hey there, fellow wanderers of life! It’s Oddly Robbie, back to reflect on some things that may have gone sideways in my life, but ultimately led me to a place of peace and fulfillment. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of your favorite tea (or yerba mate if you’re feeling adventurous), and let’s chat about fairness, loss, and finding enough in the life we have.


If Life Were Fair, I Could Be a Farmer…

There’s this idea floating around that life’s supposed to be fair. We grow up hearing that good things happen to good people, and karma will sort out the rest. But I’ve found that’s not always the case.


I come from a family of farmers, and if things had gone the way they should have, I might still be working on that family farm today. But life took a few underhanded turns. My family lost out on property, land, and even oil rights through some shady dealings. Someone destroyed a will in the courthouse and another took advantage of my grandmother with Alzheimer’s to shift property into their own hands. If things were fair, my brother and I would have inherited the family farm and its legacy and part of the other. But, let’s face it, life often doesn’t play by the rules.


And you know what? I’ve come to realize—I don’t want it to change now.


Why? Because I Have Enough.

Let me explain. There was a time when the injustice of it all weighed on me. I imagined what life could have been—acres of land, working hard, probably feeling isolated, and struggling with my ethical values, especially now that I live a vegan lifestyle. Can you imagine me, a vegan, trying to run a traditional farm? Talk about inner conflict! I’d be isolated, stuck, and constantly in a moral bind.


Instead, I find myself with enough: enough money to pay rent, repair my bike, and afford healthy foods that align with my values. I live simply, but that simplicity has given me so much freedom. The losses my family experienced were painful, and they still feel unjust, but I’ve come to see that living a life with “just enough” is exactly what I need.


Let’s Dive into Some Lessons…


1. Karma Isn’t Always Fair (And That’s Okay)

There’s a lot of comfort in believing that karma will right all wrongs. But let’s face it—life doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes, the bad guys get away with it. My family’s history is a testament to that: manipulated wills, destroyed documents, and underhanded deals. Did karma fix that? Nope.


But here's the kicker: you can find peace even when life’s unfair. It’s not about waiting for the universe to balance the scales. Sometimes, it’s about deciding what to do with what’s left. Justice isn’t always guaranteed, but contentment? That’s something we can control.


2. You Can Live a Rich Life Without Riches

In a world that’s obsessed with getting more—more money, more stuff, more success—it’s revolutionary to be okay with enough. For me, enough is being able to pay the rent, repair my e-bike when it breaks down, and afford healthy, ethical food. That’s it! I don’t need acres of land or oil rights to feel rich. The wealth I experience comes from living in alignment with my values—whether it’s living vegan, fixing what I have rather than buying new things, or enjoying the freedom that comes with simplicity.


3. What Would Have Been Isn’t Always What You Need

Looking back, I can say this with confidence: if I’d stayed in the family farming business, I wouldn’t be happy now. The isolation, the long hours, the disconnect from my vegan values—it wouldn’t have been a good fit for me. The oil money would also be a conflict with me as it is at the expense of the planet.  It’s a reminder that even though things didn’t work out the way they were supposed to, life often has a way of giving us what we need, even if it’s not what we expected.


Sure, I could have been knee-deep in farm life, battling isolation and moral dilemmas. Instead, I’m living a simpler, more connected life that fits me like a well-worn glove. Sometimes, it’s the things we didn’t get that save us from a life we weren’t meant to live.


4. Fairness Isn’t Always Possible, But You Can Find Your Own Justice

One thing I’ve learned is that while you might not get justice in the form you expected (I didn’t get the farm or the oil rights), you can create your own version of fairness. For me, that fairness comes from finding peace in the life I have now. I’ve rebuilt, found my place, and learned that contentment isn’t tied to wealth or legacy—it’s tied to living authentically.



Wrapping It All Up: Gratitude for “Enough”

In the end, I’ve found peace in having enough. Life didn’t hand me the farm, and karma didn’t swoop in to fix the wrongs done to my family. But instead of focusing on what was lost, I’ve learned to focus on what I have—and that’s been the key to finding contentment.


I’m grateful for the life I have now: simple, connected, and aligned with my values. And while the losses were real, they no longer define my future. The past doesn’t dictate what’s possible moving forward. I’ve built a life where enough is truly enough.


So, if you ever find yourself lamenting the things you’ve lost or the unfairness you’ve faced, I encourage you to think about this: what if you already have enough? What if the life you’re living now is the life that’s meant to bring you peace?


Until next time, keep living your truth, and remember—there’s more to life than fairness. Sometimes, having enough is the best gift of all.


Stay odd, stay strong.


Robbie



Final Thoughts and Takeaways:

- Karma isn’t always fair, but you can find peace by focusing on what you can control.

- Simplicity and contentment can bring you more happiness than material wealth or success.

- Life may not have worked out the way you expected, but that doesn’t mean it’s worse—it might actually be exactly what you needed.

- Living in alignment with your values can bring you a sense of fulfillment and peace, even in the face of loss.


Thanks for reading, friends. If you liked this post, share it with someone who needs to hear that enough is enough!

Sep 17, 2024

4 min read

0

0

0

Comments

Share Your ThoughtsBe the first to write a comment.
bottom of page