Although the “Road to Mysore� officially started last November while I was at the Esalen Institute many things had to happen before I could focus my energy to letting it really happen. About two years ago, I made a commitment to paying off my credit card. For the last 5 years before that, I was carrying a substantial balance, which would occasionally go down but will always go back up. There was always something that needed to be bought. It was an on going battle I always seem to lose. I think most Americans understands this. A friend of mine suggested that I make a list of things I need to do to accomplish that goal. It was important to write it down and read it every morning. I found that list and it looked like this:
Second Goal - Payoff Credit Card Bills
· Watch what you spend, think before spending. I know I really want it but do ask the question – Do I really need it? Can it wait?
· No major massage class until next year.
· Stay away from movie theaters, wait for the video in the dollar video store
· Minimize watching TV
· Lessen your volume when food shopping
· Every dollar counts
· Try to do more massages to make extra income.
· Don’t eat out too much. Try to take out the food instead of eating in the restaurant.
· Iron your own shirts
· Payoff at least $600 per month on your credit card.
· Put some money on your 401K
· Save, Save, Save – Be more conscious – meditate.
· Work hard – you really don’t want to lose your job. It’s not going to help your cause.
· Don’t check the sports news first thing in the morning. Try to work right away and maybe check it later that day.
To achieve these goals, I would need the following qualities:
1. Determination
2. Focus
3. Patience
4. Positive Attitude
5. Flexibility
6. Perseverance
7. Gratitude
Things to do on a regular basis
1. Exercise – yoga at least 3 times a week, swimming twice a week and hiking twice a week. Stretch before working out.
2. Organize your life, your work and your home.
3. Plan your week
4. Meditate, Meditate, Meditate – Focus
5. Get good rest
6. Take the time to slow down your life
7. Surround yourself with good people, you don’t need negative energy
8. Take the time to thank GOD for everyday and for every blessing.
9. Enjoy the moment, live each moment and don’t look too far ahead.
10. Be happy with where you are in life and know that it’s going to get better.
11. Love yourself!!!!
12. Take the time to read this everyday either first thing in the morning or before you sleep.
13. Take the time to check in with yourself once a week.
I wrote this on August 1, 2002 and set my target date at February 28, 2003. Now that I look at this list, I realized I could have added more stuff but at that time this is what I thought of. I had 3 goals in that list and only accomplish 2, which I was very happy with. In early January I had paid off the whole balance. Since I made it a habit of paying $600 or more on my credit card, I decided to continue setting that amount and instead put it in a savings account. At that time I thought I was saving the money to buy a condo. In late January I was in escrow for a condo but the whole deal fell through. I felt the price was too high but in hindsight I was wrong. By September I started picking up massage shifts at a place in Santa Monica. Now I was saving even more and still hoping to buy a condo. Real estate still kept going up and there was no supply for condos. Here I was sitting with this money and I couldn’t use it to buy anything. By October I decided I no longer wanted to buy a condo but since I was in the habit of saving, I continued to save.
In November I was in Esalen sitting with this German girl. I now remember her name – “Dani� (see the first blog entry). I was talking with Dani and she told me about her experience in Mysore. I envied her because I have always dreamed of going to Mysore but I was afraid to and I didn’t have the money. The money part was no longer true. I did have the money. I think subconsciously I was saving the money for Mysore. Dani took that fear away and my fellow workshop participants confirmed that it was OK to walk away from a professional career. I think that week all the stars were aligned because it felt like the most logical thing to do. I’m still saving and will continue to until I leave.