To my way of thinking, as I juggle all sorts of aspirations and possibilities, life isn't about having it all, but rather about making room for it all.
Two major go-getters in my life right now are urging me to take some big steps in expanding and enhancing my prosperity consciousness ideas as originally contained in my bestselling book, Moneylove. This has already led to a Spanish edition of the book, which will be ready in an online ebook version within the month. Plans are also underway for a new sequel, plus many new audio products on the same subject. Then there's my new enthusiasm for a book on time and how we perceive and use it. And plans for some big seminar events with a couple of partners throughout Latin America.
While all of this is going on, I am taking my first Spanish lessons, looking at the best place to take salsa lessons, getting acclimated to a new country, culture, and language, and sampling some new food item almost every day.
My plan was to have a leisurely time preparing my material to be the very first English-language stand-up comedian in Panama. I already have the offer to perform at a brand new 300-seat-theatre at the elegant new Royal Sonesta Hotel and Casino, whenever I want. It will open in May, or maybe June or July, this, after all, being Panama. Now that effort is being slowly pushed to a back burner, though still very much alive and well.
My point is that I feel very good about myself and my life right now, and part of this is that I have left room for both to grow in any direction that feels right. More than any specific goals or plans, when I made the move to become an expat, I intended to go with the flow, to follow my heart and to move in any direction where it seemed there was excitement, fun, and positive energy.
The existential question here is, "How much room have I left in my life to take advantage of opportunities and fun offers that are bound to come up?" Ask yourself, if you have the time and room.
Jerry
To find out more about why so many people are so excited about Moneylove and prosperity consciousness, check out my other blog:
http://MoneyloveBlog.com
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
THE FITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM
It's a catchy title, though I didn't invent it, but it does not lead to a clear definition. Would having such a regimen mean you are hiding from exercise or embracing it as a way of protecting your health?
For me, the answer is simple--I have been hiding out for a lifetime, even cutting gym back in my schooldays. I don't deny that a moderate amount of working out is beneficial, but have always felt I would rather get my dose in fun and natural activities, like walking and swimming and sex, rather than through the use of exercise equipment or calisthenics. And I cannot count the number of exercise devotees I have outlived and outlaughed.
I've even talked about this in my comedy act, recounting the true statement that I have successfully avoided doing yoga even though I had a girlfriend who was a yoga teacher. In fact, I say, "I've bent myself out of shape avoiding yoga."
Another challenge will surely come up from a new friend in my life who is a world famous fitness guru. Then again, I survived my friendship with Jack LaLanne without ever succumbing to his blandishments on exercise and juicing. But he certainly was a marvelous testimonial to the benefits of regular workouts. As is another friend, Suzy Prudden, speaker and author following in her mother's footsteps. Bonnie Prudden, who died at 97 in 2011, was the very first TV fitness trainer.
So there is lots of evidence that fitness is a protection program...at least for some people. But I am an avid libertarian and individualist on this issue. And as such, I reserve the right to completely change my mind. It would be fun to start exercising for the first time at 85 or 90. But if I choose my activity based on the kind of body I would like to have, Dancing With The Stars would be more of an inspiration than Gold's gym or Arnold Schwarzennegger. I'm not planning to take salsa lessons in Panama for this reason, however, but rather for the fun of it. And to my way of thinking, like producing substantial income, the best way to produce a fit body is by doing something you love and have fun at. May I have this dance?
Jerry
Check out my financial fitness blog at:
http://MoneyloveBlog.com
For me, the answer is simple--I have been hiding out for a lifetime, even cutting gym back in my schooldays. I don't deny that a moderate amount of working out is beneficial, but have always felt I would rather get my dose in fun and natural activities, like walking and swimming and sex, rather than through the use of exercise equipment or calisthenics. And I cannot count the number of exercise devotees I have outlived and outlaughed.
I've even talked about this in my comedy act, recounting the true statement that I have successfully avoided doing yoga even though I had a girlfriend who was a yoga teacher. In fact, I say, "I've bent myself out of shape avoiding yoga."
Another challenge will surely come up from a new friend in my life who is a world famous fitness guru. Then again, I survived my friendship with Jack LaLanne without ever succumbing to his blandishments on exercise and juicing. But he certainly was a marvelous testimonial to the benefits of regular workouts. As is another friend, Suzy Prudden, speaker and author following in her mother's footsteps. Bonnie Prudden, who died at 97 in 2011, was the very first TV fitness trainer.
So there is lots of evidence that fitness is a protection program...at least for some people. But I am an avid libertarian and individualist on this issue. And as such, I reserve the right to completely change my mind. It would be fun to start exercising for the first time at 85 or 90. But if I choose my activity based on the kind of body I would like to have, Dancing With The Stars would be more of an inspiration than Gold's gym or Arnold Schwarzennegger. I'm not planning to take salsa lessons in Panama for this reason, however, but rather for the fun of it. And to my way of thinking, like producing substantial income, the best way to produce a fit body is by doing something you love and have fun at. May I have this dance?
Jerry
Check out my financial fitness blog at:
http://MoneyloveBlog.com
Monday, March 4, 2013
THE EXPERIENCE OF EXPATHOOD
When I look back to my emerging years and think of all the friends who talked about eventually living abroad, and now realize that I am the only one who has accomplished this, it underlines for me the amazing reality of my becoming an expat. There is no doubt that Panama is a booming small country set in a tropical wonderland replete with two oceans, rain forests, jungles, many islands, indigenous Indian tribes, and perhaps the greatest engineering feat of the 20th Century.
What makes me sigh with pleasure, however, is none of these advantages, though I thoroughly enjoy them. No, it's the pleasure of living in a cosmopolitan small town with tall buildings and world class restaurants and in a neighborhood that is a cornucopia of new sights and smells and sounds to explore as I walk around. The last time I enjoyed living in this kind of neighborhood was in Greenwich Village in the 1970s when I worked at NBC in New York. Instead of a fourth floor walk-up, I'm on the 11th floor of a luxury high rise tower, but it's the street that calls out to me in the same way.
I took a moment today to reflect on one of the strongest human desires--to stand out in a crowd, to be noticed for something different, doing something unique. So many people spend so many years trying to make their mark when it could be so easy, just move to a new country and you will definitely not qualify for one of the 21st Century's most pejorative terms, "sheeple". The Urban Dictionary describes this as people who cannot think for themselves, who have a herd mentality. When you are living in a totally new culture, and don't even yet speak the native language, there is such an awareness of every sensory sensation available that one begins living the difference in a new and profound way.
This can only intensify and accelerate in the coming months as I start my first Spanish classes, work on the first English language stand up comedy performance in Panama, explore the other parts of the country, and come out of the cocoon of the language barrier and my current ignorance of a lot of what is normal and appropriate in this Latin culture.
Perhaps it is ironic that as I moved out of the U.S., I felt less out of touch. I didn't realize how much of a rut I was in until I leapt out of it.
Jerry
Do your own leaping in terms of prosperity by checking out my other blog: http://MoneyloveBlog.com
What makes me sigh with pleasure, however, is none of these advantages, though I thoroughly enjoy them. No, it's the pleasure of living in a cosmopolitan small town with tall buildings and world class restaurants and in a neighborhood that is a cornucopia of new sights and smells and sounds to explore as I walk around. The last time I enjoyed living in this kind of neighborhood was in Greenwich Village in the 1970s when I worked at NBC in New York. Instead of a fourth floor walk-up, I'm on the 11th floor of a luxury high rise tower, but it's the street that calls out to me in the same way.
I took a moment today to reflect on one of the strongest human desires--to stand out in a crowd, to be noticed for something different, doing something unique. So many people spend so many years trying to make their mark when it could be so easy, just move to a new country and you will definitely not qualify for one of the 21st Century's most pejorative terms, "sheeple". The Urban Dictionary describes this as people who cannot think for themselves, who have a herd mentality. When you are living in a totally new culture, and don't even yet speak the native language, there is such an awareness of every sensory sensation available that one begins living the difference in a new and profound way.
This can only intensify and accelerate in the coming months as I start my first Spanish classes, work on the first English language stand up comedy performance in Panama, explore the other parts of the country, and come out of the cocoon of the language barrier and my current ignorance of a lot of what is normal and appropriate in this Latin culture.
Perhaps it is ironic that as I moved out of the U.S., I felt less out of touch. I didn't realize how much of a rut I was in until I leapt out of it.
Jerry
Do your own leaping in terms of prosperity by checking out my other blog: http://MoneyloveBlog.com
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