Good health is the most valuable asset of all.
I know because there are some moments, always remembered. Peak
experiences. Never forgotten spots in our existence that
become crossroads that forever dictate the direction of
our lives. Sharing such a memory about good health from 30
years ago, may help you gain more freedom and wealth now.
A low rumble, the crowded city below, muffled through thick
foliage and vibrated over the thin ribbon of asphalt
that winds, flat as a snake, through the jungle
ahead.
Warm fogs swept in from the South China Sea and hung like a
humid blanket in the air.
Bowen Road, mid levels, Hong Kong 1973. This narrow path flows
through the middle of a thick boscage that looms above
the most crowded city in the world. The green,
freshness and cacophony of birds brought us here each morning.
Amahs that stretched on bent iron pipe handrails,
ancient wrinkled men carrying caged sparrows and
all types of early risers moved like shadows against the verdant
forest in their motions of Tai Chi.
Me?
I jogged. 25 years old, this was the day when divorce papers
were served and I also learned I was broke.
Working from the age of 21 for a new hot company my stock
options made me a paper millionaire at age 24. This unexpected
wealth created bad spending habits and without the sense to
sell, this portfolio was nothing but paper that became
worthless. Plus the ambition and my month-at-a-time tours to
Asia had ruined my marriage as well.
So that day I stumbled, more than jogged, wondering what would
happen now! Everything seemed gone and for the first
mile or so, I was just running and afraid.
The second mile absorbed me. The self-pity and fright began to
fade. During mile three I began to sweat and the trauma
literally evaporated. Finally by the fourth mile I was
taking stock. My two kids were smart, strong and already
used to my being away. My soon-to-be-ex had the
house, two cars, the boat, all the furniture and the 14
apartments we had managed to buy. They would be okay.
So what about myself?
On the fifth mile I analyzed my position… No cash, no
way to pay next month’s rent and no job. I was
12,000 miles from home. Most of my clients were unhappy campers
focusing their anger on the only Guello (foreign
devil) who had not fled the city (me).
Yet as one foot plodded in front of the other, there were
several things I realized that I did have. Energy and the
ability to work. I had my good health.
I jogged along thinking about my many wealthy customers who
had tons of cash and gobs of assets, but were mostly
overweight, exhausted and consequently perpetually afraid. If
anything went wrong, their business, banking or the economy
and politics, they were doomed. They could not build
again. Life for them was just the paper they had already
accumulated. They were always bound up by that because they
feared they could never last out tough times or rebuild.
They were trapped by their wealth and rotting lifestyles.
Suddenly over the last five miles I felt extremely rich and
free! That was the moment when I realized the basis of real
freedom is good health. Money can come and go, but if we are
physically fit, with stamina and good energy we can always
rebuild wealth.
That’s the moment I have never forgotten and over the
past 30 years in my global travels I have kept a continual
watch for new ways to be stronger, more flexible, in better
shape and more immune from disease.
This search for health, vitality and longevity is one of the
reasons why I really enjoy Ecuador. Being on the equator
is healthy because of the seasonal regularity (the
body loves ritual), plus the organic foods grown in the rich
volcanic soils give a great boost to feeling good. Ecuador is
one of three places in the world where residents have
super longevity. This is where the stories of the fountain of youth began.
Having lived with the indigenous here, Merri and I learned
that good health and longevity come from more than just the
sun and soil. The Andean people have an incredible
science of living that includes very special exercises and
nutrition.
This is why Merri and I decided to conduct health as well as
wealth tours in Ecuador.
So our upcoming Shamanic Mingo is a tour about nothing with no
schedule at all. Actually not quite. There are some things
we will be sure to do. We just do not know when or
where. Instead we’ll arrive in innocence, expect nothing, get our
feet in motion and lay our path open to fate. This, I
warn you, is a powerful mixture so shed your expectations but
prepare for more than you can imagine.
Until next message good health to you!
Gary
We hope to serve you at the course below.
Shamanic Mingo Tour