When I got up this morning, it was 16 degrees. When it’s that cold, I know it’s time for a vacation to a tropical climate. It got me thinking about one of the best trips I ever had - spending two weeks on an island off the coast of Honduras. While there, I met Gunter, a forty-year-old artist, diver, and simple-living advocate.  His home was straight off the set of Gilligan’s Island with a thatched roof and open windows.  It was built high on stilts and surrounded by tropical plants.  The pathway leading up to his house had shells on it and an archway with artifacts he had collected.  He was my running buddy.  We would get up nearly every morning at five a.m.for a run around the island for what he described as a “Contra training” run.  He named it accurately, as we ran over volcanic rocks, soft beaches, through the woods, and up hills.  He had worn out more pairs of running shoes in year than most people did in a lifetime. After our run, we would go snorkeling in the beautiful reefs off the shore. 

During our time together,  I would ask him questions about the island and why he came to live there.  His answer, in his thick Austrian accent, was to describe the miracle of the sea, the sunrise, or a plant, flower, or bird. He also loved showing his business card, which read: “Rat Race Escape Artist.”  He had been a successful businessman in Austria, and something caused him to snap.  He was tired of the rat race.  He was tired of trying to keep up with the Joneses and tired of the materialism, so he moved to this island (which at the time, had only two working cars, very few televisions, and scarcity of telephones which had arrived just six months before).

Gunter hand-painted post cards, made jewelry from things he found in the sea, and occasionally lead a dive group to the most beautiful underwater scenery imaginable. It was the life he truly wanted.

Are you living the life you always wanted? If not, buy a plane ticket and fly to Honduras, take a commuter plane to Utila and look up the Rat Race Escape Artist.  Ask him if he wants to go for a Contra training run or swim.  Tell him I sent you. You’ll be glad you did.

Points to Ponder: Who has motivated you to live the good life? Give up the rat race? What does it mean to live a life of meaning?

Triva: Today is the birthday of Thomas Paine who said, “These are the times that try mens soul.” It’s also National Bubble Wrap Appreciation day. Pop some bubble wrap in celebration.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com