The Global Citizen

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said: 

Man.  Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. 

Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. 

And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present.  

The result being that he does not live in the present or the future. 

He lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.

This quote has been floating around the internets for a while now.  I have seen it a few times in a few different places.  First of all, i am pretty sure the Dalai Lama did not actually say this.  But regardless, i do not think it makes the sentiment is any less powerful or insightful.

This idea hits me close to the heart.  I have been working 11 hour days for the past three years, leaving my house before 8am, arriving home after 7pm, commuting through crowded subways and buses, breathing the often terribly polluted air.  And i am compensated well for the stress i put my body through.

But is it worth it? What can be more valuable than your health?

I feel i've aged faster in Beijing than i might have someplace else.  It's time for a break.  Keeping in line with the five year plan i made roughly one year ago, i'm taking some time off to travel and buy back my health and well-being.  My last day of work at US/Grant is February 29th.  My rough plan is to spend a few more months in Beijing with Esther, who is moving up in March.  My brother and niece are flying out in June, so Esther and i will remain in China until about July.  Then, we're headed out.

Our travel plans would likely take us as far west as Nepal and India, as far south as Indonesia, as far east as the US, and as far north as Mongolia.  And probably everything in between.

As a side note, i've noticed my travel posts are by far the most popular.  Specifically, Indonesia and Philippines posts get lots of page views and comments.  Coincidentally this blog will cease to be China-centric and will follow our travels, wherever they may take us.  Stay tuned.

Finally, i just bought my first non company-sponsored insurance plan, ever. The plan i bought covers me in every country in the world, except for the USA. The plan is called, "The Global Citizen".  I really like that.

~Kev