When we decide to take on the THPL life, as our way to live, there are quite a few moments when we are confronted with a decision- one that causes us to potentially separate ourselves from the others around us. And if perchance we decide to go our way, a different way, we might expect that others will follow. It is highly likely, though, that others will not follow. Even if it is a good idea, one that reinforces all of the principles we espouse with THPL, the pull to the center is often too strong. Just look at REI, they closed their stores and web site on Black Friday, and gave their employees a paid day off – they did this because they felt shopping had gotten out of hand. A bold move, one not copied by others, but they chose to do it regardless of the “others”, and their views, and it is this point that we all need to reflect on. Do we believe strongly enough in our perspective that we will go a different way, one based on principal or belief or perspective – even when others do not. It is a question that we all get to answer at various times on our THPL journey – there is no real “right or wrong” just a measure of how we think about leading and following – about what is important and what we want to stand for. The pull to the “middle” is real and it is strong – when we step away we need to be ready for the tug – when we pull hard enough (in return) we will go to a new place and often we will like where we find ourselves.

Loving life, when given the opportunity to make a statement of principal and live to it