#FinCon18: The Story of Us
#FinCon18: The Story of Us
Defining ourselves is not easy. Especially in this community. Are we high income earners or are we frugal? Are we retire early or forever employed? Real estate or stock market or both? The story of us is complex. Who we are, why we came here, and where we are going. There are so many ways to slice and splice. Yet we all meandered here to this little corner of the universe for #FinCon18. We all quietly wake up every morning, pour a cup of coffee or tea, and delve into the blogosphere or podcastosphere to start our day.
This is both gratifying and disconcerting. I identify with a community that is so wide and varied that it sometimes staggers. We are all so different, yet the same.
The acronym, FIRE, only tells a small number of our stories.
The movie, however, may just change the conversation.
It may just tell the story of us.
Playing with FIRE
I was extremely excited about this project from the get go. I had heard that there was a FIRE documentary and knew that a lot of my favorite bloggers, podcasters, and thought leaders were being featured. My vague knowledge, however, in no way prepared for the flood of emotion I would feel from watching the above trailer at #FinCon18.
I cannot explain the power of hearing your own story amplified on the big screen. Of course, it is not my unique story. We, as a group, have a thousand (million) different pathways in which we arrived here.
But this is the story of us.
The retelling of our unique struggles and fears. Our hopes and dreams. Our triumphs and failures.
This is our coming out party.
Passion Matters
It’s 12am on my last night at #FinCon18. And the man bouncing up and down in front of me with endless vigor is Scott Rieckens. My eyes are half closed, my voice is all but gone, and yet I can’t help but be excited by his passion. After endless months of filming, editing, and promoting, there is no sign that his fount of energy has even begun to fade.
Scott’s passion to tell the story of us comes through in his every breath. His burst of vitality spurs my already tired body to eschew sleep and bask a few more moments in his joy.
There is nothing better than to bear witness to a passionate individual doing exactly what he is meant to do. Fulfilling his exact purpose.
Final Thoughts
I was thrilled with the idea of the movie before coming to #FinCon18. I was enthralled on the first night after seeing the official trailer. And I am sold hook, line, and sinker after meeting the man himself.
The story of us is extraordinary.
The movie will be no less so.