DISCOVERING NEW HORIZONS.

I won’t get any applause for writing on this topic. But if it helps even one person to improve their life, then it will have been worth it.

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FEAR

You’re concerned about what’s happening in the Western world. It doesn’t matter what your political persuasion or social position is, you are experiencing a unique level of societal unrest. And yes, it’s scary. It causes FEAR. You’re seriously considering leaving, but excuses not to leave conveniently jump into your head: You’ll not fit in over “there” wherever “there” is. You’ll miss your children and grandchildren too much, it will be too hot or too cold, too dangerous, too different, too everything! So, you do nothing apart from looking out your window waiting for the barbarians to arrive at your doorstep. What else, if anything, could you do?

Let’s examine each of your fears.

“I’ll not fit in over there.” INCORRECT. Thousands of expats comfortably live in the Philippines. Why not you?

“I’ll miss friends, family, and grandchildren.” That’s an illusion. Ask yourself how often you see your children and grandchildren. If living in America or Canada and they are in another state, how often, apart from holidays, do you meet them?

Our experience here is that granddad often becomes something like a rock star after his children and grandchildren visit his tropical island paradise. Friends occasionally visit and leave amazed by your new lifestyle.

“It will be too hot or too cold.” Where do you presently live? How are the temperatures there during various seasons? In our part of the Philippines temperatures are generally good. Also, air conditioning is available. Please note we wear t-shirts and shorts EVERY day of the year! Even business meetings have casual dress. I usually wear flip flops, a cut up running top and shorts. Such a delightful contrast to the Western world!

“It’s too dangerous.” I’ve lived all over the world and have never felt as safe as I do here. In seven plus years, I’ve never seen any violence and only seen two arguments. Those were between drunken expats.

“It’s too expensive.” That comment is so ludicrous I won’t even comment on it other than to say no, it’s not.

“I’ll be lonely.” Oh my! Again, drawing on my lifelong world travels, the only way you might be lonely here would be if you’re dead, And even then………….

“It’s too different.” Wouldn’t that be part of the charm of your experience? Exciting new adventures await you. Now consider the life you are presently leading, then compare your new options.

“Health care is poor there.” Yes, there is inadequate health care but there are also excellent health insurance plans available and access to high quality hospitals and surgery. Also, the cost of medical treatment here is a fraction of that in the Western world where an individual or couple can, and do, become bankrupted due to medicals bills.

“Strong military and police presence.” Absolutely not! After living in many countries, I always observe the level of police and military to evaluate a country. But, a critically important and valuable element of living here that is impossible to measure, is the feeling of almost complete FREEDOM we ex-pats experience daily. Not for us the Orwellian nightmare that rules the Western world. Cameras observing us? No. Traffic lights in Dumaguete? Not one. Need a policeman after 6 pm? Good luck with that. Everybody, including the “occasional bad men” goes home in the early evening. Everybody chills until the next day.

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One way of tackling, perhaps defeating, FEAR is to try the following exercise. Consider FEAR as False Expectations Appearing Real (FEAR) Write down your fears, your main concerns about your present life. Make the list broad and inclusive to reflect on important aspects of your life. Then put the documents away in a safe place for one year. I promise you at most 7 percent of the fears, the concerns you wrote down, will have come reality. Could you learn from that, benefit from realizing your fears were unfounded? If not, why not?

Leaving one’s home country to experience a new life, is simple until the human mind unnecessarily complicates it. Your choices are as follows: (1) accept your life as it is. (2) change what you can and/or (3) be sufficiently wise to be aware of the difference between 1 and 2.

What are you going to create for the remaining few years of your life? Please note your future, the path you decide to take or not take, is exclusively YOUR decision, YOUR responsibility. Whatever you decide will chart the roadmap for what’s left of your life. Please reread the previous sentence.

FEAR that controls people has always fascinated me. Particularly the fear of change. But EVERYTHING consistently chant’s an integral part of the human condition. IIn every moment our bodies are changing internally and externally, our lives generally, relationships, work situations, and everything else. All are consistently changing. Everything on our planet and throughout the universe is in a constant process of change! All negativity is superficial camouflage designed to immobilize you into non action. But please bear in mind that even if you stay where you are, that is a decision you are making, albeit a negative one.

All your negativity is a collection of negative illusions created by you to avoid taking positive action. Please read this a few times until it sinks in and realize its truth. There is NO logical or rational reason that could or should prohibit you from exploring your options to have contentment and relative joy in the final years of your life.

And here’s the solution to set you free, to break those violent shackles that you are allowing you to enslave yourself to avoid change. Simply come to the Philippines or any other country you are considering for a minimum of THREE MONTHS. After even three months you will know if living here might be correct for you. You may want to consider staying longer, leading eventually to a decision to live here longer term. perhaps retiring in.

How difficult would that be for you to do? But, despite its simplicity, very few will activate the option. Why? Because most will retreat inside the dark cave where no sunlight will ever shine. And you are perfectly entitled to do that, but why would you want to when glorious options are available. You can always return to your homeland after a few months if you wish. What’s been the cost to you? Possibly little to nothing if you rent out your home. But even if not, the expenses are negligible. A round trip air ticket, cots of living which may be less than what your used to, and some lovely memories you can discuss at parties and barbeques back in your country. Now, what logical reason to you must delay your adventure any longer?

The choice regarding the quality you will experience for your remaining years of life is for you, and only you, to decide. Which category will you go into? The one that, shortly before darkness comes for the final time, you dismally wonder “Oh, if only I’d done it?”

Will you be one who chooses to be proactive, to gain your freedom and liberation instead of being forced to endure your final years drooling in the corner of an expensive non care home waiting for your soiled diapers to be changed and cream rubbed onto your itchy arse? So, what makes sense for you? Into which category will you choose to be in? The choice is yours!

If you want to contact me, please do so via email. My address is michael@vcg.com.ph