Expanding Your Universe

Sounds a bit frivolous right now, to look beyond your current horizons. I understand that. In August 2015, against all odds, I did just that. I guarantee you it saved my life.

I had carried a dream in my heart for many years to see the world. Finally, after just speaking to a Filipino who had just returned from a visit to his homeland, I began how researching how to do that. He turned me on to the idea that there are much cheaper places to live so I began with the idea that I would look for an affordable country to live in. I very carefully planned out a trip to S. E. Asia, beginning with the Philippines. I followed up with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Bali. That took me eight months and returning to the US for a couple of months, I took off for Central America –Costa Rica, Nicaragua and I was in Nicaragua when Trump won in 2016.

I experienced a 10-day deep depression. I came home for a few months the began a search in Mexico for a new home. I lived there for three years.

Those six years showed me that there are many ways of living and traditions that we can all learn from. In Thailand I lived in a couple of wonderful places that were elegant for $10 a night. In Malaysia, I found the same thing and in Bali, as well, for around $15 to $20. I also found great kindness in each country.

My apartment costs me $216 in Manzanillo, Mexico. But honestly, it is much less about money than living outside the States. It is about losing your fear of other cultures and peoples. I very rarely feel fear here or anywhere else. I wish you that freedom.

So, you can expand your horizons without going anywhere. You can expose yourself to classes, try cooking differently, seeing what it is like to start exercising again. The options are just endless.

If you need any encouragement, please go to the Let’s Chat area and ask for it. I will respond.

Keep looking for new ways to make your life larger. It’s an adventure, not a drudge.