Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

This content will unfold in three segments: the background, the enlightening experience, and the actionable steps. Begin with the first part, "When You Start Over," before proceeding.

Five months after my return from Norway, I acquired my second home, which required significant renovations and came with a high-interest rate. However, I was thrilled to find a location that met all my preferences for my personal space.

Then, a remarkable transformation began to take shape. Seeds of awareness, growth, and action were planted in me, often without my realization.

I reestablished a relationship with the love of my life. You can read about my love story series, which is truly enchanting. He is an extraordinary individual, a visionary whose fervor lies in entrepreneurship. His enthusiasm for building businesses and fostering professional relationships is contagious.

Meeting Gabriel was a turning point in my life. I doubt I would be sharing this story if it weren't for our reconnection.

After we began dating, he visited me in Minnesota, bringing thoughtful gifts, including some books. The first book he recommended was "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter.

This book revolutionized my perspective right from the first chapter. It made me realize that the conventional methods we use to manage finances are fundamentally flawed. Although I was doing better financially than many of my peers, burdened by a high-interest mortgage, car payments, and credit card debt, I had to confront the reality of my situation.

Indeed, I owned a car and had it insured. Yes, I had a warm home that required extensive repairs, and despite 14 months of payments, my principal balance barely budged. Yes, I had built a commendable credit score by consistently clearing my credit card dues, at least in the beginning. Yes, I worked full-time jobs that paid reasonably well, and I even managed to save a small amount in the few positions that offered a 401k. However, these accomplishments were merely the minimum required for survival.

On the surface, my life seemed typical and satisfactory by American standards. I believed I was leading a simple, modest life.

But ignorance can feel blissful. I was in a fog, caught in a monotonous cycle of working merely to survive, drifting through life. My mind was in standby mode until Gabriel entered my life, sparking my intellectual curiosity. He urged me repeatedly, “Read these books in this order, and you’ll realize it all begins with you.”

So, I embarked on my journey with "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," just as he suggested.

The book presents some "radical" concepts. We're taught that hard work is virtuous, yet many find themselves in financial distress. It highlights two main issues with traditional employment.

“Money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.” The average person, when given extra funds, often spends it on bills or frivolous purchases without thinking about potential returns. If we applied our intellect, we would see that investing in assets can generate cash flow to cover expenses. This way, money can work for us, granting us more time and control over our financial growth. However, “money often reveals our tragic human flaws,” such as greed, fear, and complacency.

Greed drives us to seek immediate results; we yearn for quick fixes. Fear stems from the anxiety of unpaid bills, job loss, and starting anew. Complacency arises from the comfort of routine.

Yet, we are seldom educated about assets or the flaws money exposes.

Schools fail to provide a solid financial foundation; rather, “they were designed to create good employees, not entrepreneurs.” Consider this: we are conditioned to attend school at specific times throughout the week, fulfilling assignments and adhering to deadlines, all under the supervision of a teacher. We were trained to comply and follow a structured schedule, only to face further guidance about our next steps as we neared high school graduation.

Why is the educational system constructed this way? American society thrives on exploiting the working class.

The narrative encourages us to pursue a college education post-high school with promises of better career prospects. “You can’t succeed without a degree!” “You won’t thrive on your own without a college education!”

What they neglect to mention is the financial burden of obtaining that degree. Few inform you that two decades later, you might still owe thousands in student loans, leaving you feeling trapped in a never-ending cycle.

Once you obtain your degree, your formal education largely halts, but learning should be a lifelong endeavor. An enlightening takeaway from the book was that “understanding how to make money work for you is a lifelong pursuit.” The rich dad in the book emphasizes that a continuous thirst for knowledge will lead to greater understanding and confidence, unveiling more opportunities for action.

The book also taught me that perspective is crucial. We mustn't compare ourselves to others who are more successful and wallow in discontent. What purpose does that serve?

I was left unsettled for weeks after reading this book. It felt as though I had been deceived by the systems in place within the U.S. education, tax, and societal constructs. Everything I believed about being a member of the working class was misleading. It took me several months to process this realization.

During this reflection, while juggling various jobs, I began to question my ultimate goal. Connections formed in my mind, revealing that I was not truly succeeding. I examined the taxes deducted from my paycheck in my temporary caregiving role. What initially appeared as an enticing $25 per hour dwindled to $18. The restaurant job I had prior had begun laying off staff to cut costs during a slow season. Thankfully, I still had my home healthcare position, but the commute was lengthy, and hours were not guaranteed.

I started to grasp the insecurities tied to traditional employment. I had minimal control over how these jobs could benefit me, yet I felt obligated to continue in healthcare due to the ongoing demand for workers in that field. That obligation had become my guiding principle in working for someone else's business: the community relies on caregivers like me.

One day, Gabriel asked what I had always envisioned for my life. I shared that as a child, I dreamed of being a writer, but I thought it was impractical to pursue. Why did I deem it unrealistic and neglect my aspirations? The first segment of my writing explains that.

He simply responded, “Why don’t you start a blog?”

The idea had never crossed my mind. Starting a blog sounded like a fun endeavor. Gabriel acknowledged my organizational skills and passion for environmentalism, suggesting a few insights.

“You’d excel as a business manager or team planner,” he said, adding, “Focus your blog on your knowledge and passion for eco-friendliness.”

I lacked business experience and formal education, making the thought of managing or planning anything in the corporate world daunting. While I was passionate about environmentalism, I had never explored how to channel that passion into action.

Before Gabriel challenged my thinking, I would have dismissed such ideas as ludicrous and impractical. I would have insisted that I must continue in my conventional jobs for survival. Yet, many concepts once deemed crazy or unrealistic have evolved into some of the most innovative and successful ventures in our society. Gabriel’s second reading gift, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, delved into this theme along with other equally significant lessons.

In the concluding part, "Yes, I Can Achieve My Desires," I will elaborate on how my mindset has shifted. I will reference "Think and Grow Rich" and share what I am currently pursuing—something I never envisioned myself doing. The transformation in my life is astonishing. It’s surreal to reflect on how I could have remained trapped in a monotonous routine, merely working to survive. While the journey is ongoing and filled with challenges, it is invigorating to know that I can learn and accomplish more.

The final part: Yes, I Can Achieve My Desires (coming April 13th).

Chapter 2: Insights from Enlightenment

In this video, "The Process of Enlightenment," viewers are taken through the stages of personal transformation and the awakening of consciousness.

Chapter 3: The Path to Action

This video, "What Does It Take to Reach Enlightenment? | Sadhguru," discusses the essential qualities and mindset required to achieve enlightenment and personal growth.