Open Source Living

I just finished the book, "What Would Google Do?," and I found it a very compelling read. Much of what Google has done is to build an open source community where others can build, or profit from their platform (of course Google profits most from this philosophy). The fundemental premise is to open your platform to others who will improve, revise and contribute to the greater good in the community (i.e. OpenOffice & Wikipedia). Yes, Google also has closed networks, and proprietary features, but the general concept has helped others and in so doing enriched Google.

What if we practiced "open source living."  Everyday I am trying to be the best I can be, but unfortunately I do that from a skewed, biased perspective. If you ask me, I am a pretty good guy, talented, intelligent and if you are over 50, I am not to hard on the eyes (and yes there is a little ego there). What if I allowed others to contribute to my pursuit of perfection - yes there are risks, but let me share three thoughts with you about "Open Source Living."

1. We already allow others to impact our "programming." We read self-help books, hire trainers, dietitians, even medical professionals to advise us how to have a better life. Some of us consult with counselors, preachers or friends in areas we need improvement. Still, we can be very protective in this area, even when we seek advice and improvement.
2. Your life has certain open source elements already. There are people who talk to us and about us with or without permission. They comment on our shoes and on our work-ethic. They make judgments about our moral conduct and our parenting skills. People are trying to write chapters into our lives whether we want them too or not.
3. So what if we take a Wikipedia approach to life. Here is Trent version 1.0. Make your edits, your changes, and your contributions. Once you are finished, I will go back and edit the results in an effort to retain accuracy (and my overly active ego). Folks are going to talk about me anyway, how about I give them permission to do it to my face.

So here is your chance friends and enemies, brothers and sisters, acquantances and strangers. Today is an experiment in open source living. This is your chance to add your praise or criticisms, your suggestions and concerns. Trent version 1.02 will be released after the weekend.

Trent Wheeler

UNTETHERED

I just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for following the Untethered blog. It simply amazes me how many people are searching for that inner freedom that only comes when we remove the restraints of life and really live.

If you noticed the image above, that is our new logo design for all the untethered blogs, gear, and excursions that will follow. Special thanks to Sorrel Dugan for doing the design work. She is an exceptional artist, seamstress and designer. You really need to check her blog out at:

http://www.sorreldugan.blogspot.com/

In the coming months we will have two exciting things coming your way:

1. The first will be our initial T-shirt design. We are working with a lot of ideas and images, so I may post somethings soon, and take a vote.
2. The second is an Untethered Excursion. Having decided if this is a back to nature hiking / camping trip, a motorcycle rally, or an Untethered cruise.

Stay Tuned!
Stay Positive!
Stay Motivated!

Sunshine

This year I have reconnected with a lot of old friends from the past. Re-establishing those old friendships has been a mixed blessing. While it is fun to recall all the high school antics, and remember the "good ole days," there has also been the reality that life is very uncertain.

At least three of my friends are having serious bouts with cancer, two are battling Lupus, and suddenly I am reminded that tomorrow is tenuous at best. I think this is one reason Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow...  Can worry make you live longer?   Can worry make you any taller? Don't worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself. (Luke 12:25-34).

I think that all my travels to places far and wide have ruined me for any kind of "normal" life. Every year I long for a simpler existence. I have friends in Africa and Central America who are content with a small plot of land, their daily bread on the table and the simple necessities of life.

Today I road through the backroads around Nashville, soaked in the sunshine and thought about the simplicity of life when we cast off all the cares, worries and STUFF that consumes us. This week a friend reminded me of the simple pleasure of just laying out in the sunshine and how lucky we are to be able to stop and smell the roses.

Embracing Freedom

At times our fight for freedom and liberty are collective efforts. We band together against an oppressive government, we lobby for the restoration of certain "inalienable rights," or we join a rally, political party or PAC.

The real embrace of freedom however is a personal choice in how we live. It is the difference in wanting to do a thing and having to do it. Most mornings I choose to get up and go to work because I love what I do - it makes a difference and helps people. For a good portion of my life I struggled to meet others expectations. I let other people put me in their little box and I tried to live accordingly.

One of the most liberating revelations I have had in my life is learning to say - NO! No, I don't have time right now. No, that isn't in my area of expertise. No, I just don't feel like it. That sounds a little indulgent, but I am afraid that all too often in life we err on the other side through surrender. I am worried about what people think if I don't serve. I am afraid I won't be held in the same esteem if I say no. I don't want to be viewed as selfish, or seeking my own needs.

Serving out of desire, out of passion for what you do not only gives you an individual sense of liberty and freedom, it also allows your greatest gifts to rise to the top. Your freedom is not bestowed on you by government,  your employer or even your family. Freedom comes when you choose to have an untethered mind, to know and understand who you are and live to your potential - not the potential or ideas others have defined for you.

Trent Wheeler

Living without a Net

In the last few weeks I have attended several funerals of people I love. The only common denominator is that they are now gone. Some were very young, others had lived a full and rewarding life. Time is an indescriminate taskmaster. The days and hours tick away the same for each of us, but the end often comes unexpectedly. Death never asks if we have fulfilled our dreams, lived our lives to the fullest, or contributed anything of value to society.

So why not live life without a net? There may be a lot to be said for security, stability and cautious living, but the truth is we are all going to die in the end. Who is it that we most often admire in this world - its the risktakers. We long to be the cowboys in the untamed west, we revel in the achievements of those who tempt death to reach the peak of Mt. Everest or overcome the most adverse circumstances to succeed against all odds.

Untethered is defined as "unbound, without limits, to be freed from bondage." What is it in your life that holds you back from living your dreams? What obstacles, tethers or chains are confining you? I am convicned the greatest obstacles to living an untethered life are the contraints we place on ourselves. When I hear someone say, "I could never go whitewater rafting, or parachute out of plane," I simply ask, "Why?" Beyond the limitations in our own psyche - what's stopping you?