Expat Community > Panama

jonoyakker
Joined 2012
Posts: 1863

Life Philosphy

11 years ago

15 years ago I was in a course and the question was posed, "what do you love about your life?" It rocked me on my heels because it was such a fundamental question that no one had ever asked me and also because after pondering it I had to answer "nothing."

I was self absorbed in a business working the American dream of "someday/one day." I felt stressed out doing little but working long hours and not being a good father or husband.

I was focused forward towards the time when I could kick back and enjoy life but I was miserable in the present.

After the realization, I took up some hobbies, started driving slower and taking back roads. I started meditation and yoga and focusing on living now instead of in the future. I started valuing the people around me instead of money and "stuff".

Fast forward to 5 years ago...when my 2nd wife and I honeymooned in Costa Rica, I felt that my new philosophy had a home. Here were people who lived the way I wanted to. The was the start of what would be a wholesale move to Panama to live and to setup a business.

The interesting thing for me is that I began to have more money, I suppose because I began to focus on taking good care of others including in business and maybe because I was becoming more real and present in the moment. My clients sensed that possibly and wanted to do business with me?

I write this because it says something about the culture about Latin America that I love, and because others might find value from it. I sure don't think it's for everyone-it's a pain sometimes. Learning Spanish is the hardest part for me. The next is the litter. There are other things too.

The other reason I write this quite honestly is that I want Gringos who come to slow down and enjoy the simple things. Please don't Americanize Panama with the need for more "stuff", more malls, more hustle/bustle, more "better than you", more "winning".

Thank you.

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Expat Community > Panama

Life Philosphy

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