I have just returned from my daily 1hr massage - a ritual. It is time to reflect - sometimes. I was a seeker of $$$, women, & more, more & more of everything. I graduated via part-time study in accounting - a dream. Then an offer came to be an academic which I considered an honor but which I quickly became bored with. At age 30, public practice was achieved - it was a huge challenge to gather a client base but within 5 years (the 80s), I was netting USD150k. The booze finally beat me although I put up a titanic struggle. That was 1984 - a game-changer. The pursuit of the magic million was my ultimate goal By 42, I was burnt out. Disappointed I sold out & considered my unplanned future. I played golf, tennis, lawn bowls and went to the gym 5 days per week. At night, I whored as much as physically possible. I was having a dream run with the women. Combined with gambling, life was a thrill a minute. My addictive nature brought this to an end so I had a good look at religion. Christianity & Hari Khrisna led the way until Buddhism came down the straight & won easily.
I WAS MISERABLE & DISCONTENT. This was a catalyst to emigrate to Thailand. BKK for a single day followed by CNX. With sport, a new social network and ladies on tap, life was ideal. What an ego trip! I was 55 with my youngest lady being 19. Of course the inevitable happened when I met my future wife. Surprisingly, it was not motivated by sex. Last year we relocated to a rural town of 20k - expats -20?
An apt way to describe my current situation is in accordance with the lyrics of a John Lennon song - 'I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round & round.' My teachers are the massage ladies who teach me that peace & simplicity are the keys to life. They earn B3-4k per month their actions speak for themselves. Mahatma Gandhi's statement suggesting that we wear life like a loose cloak is the ingredient to life. No gurus required or health farms.