Note: I’ll be on a family vacation for the next ten days in sunny Miami. My posts and response to comments will be sporadic at best.
My fellow bloggers, Nadia at Happy Lotus and Vincent at Yinnergy, have tagged me along with six other bloggers. This tagging idea has been floating around the blogosphere for awhile and there’re four rules you’re supposed to follow:
- Link to your original tagger and list these rules in your post
- Share 7 facts about yourself in the post
- Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names and links to their blogs
- Let them know they’ve been tagged.
Well, I’m too lazy to follow the last two rules, but I recently updated my About page and it just so happens to contain seven facts about me. Actually, each “fact” is a little story that helped shape me, but it’s close enough.
When I was twelve years old, I hurt my back and was in serious pain. Eventually, I was put in traction in a hospital and subjected to painful tests. The doctors found nothing obviously wrong, but I was still in pain when I left. My doctor told me to exercise and move as little as possible. I did this for a few months and became sad and bored. For some reason, I decided to exercise with an old set of weights in our basement. I started working out and within a month I was pain free. Within six months, I was one of the fittest guys in our school. I learned the doctor isn’t always right and you have to listen to your own body.
When I was thirteen, I became obsessed with building a Go-Cart even though it was illegal to drive one in our neighborhood. My brother, who was 12 years older than me, helped me a little, but I worked sixteen hour days until it was done. I bought a used frame, engine, tires, clutch, and more. I tore the engine apart, cleaned everything, and put it back together. I found and solved many problems. I painted it, fixed the seat, and finally rode it. It went thirty-five files per hour and was great fun! I learned you can build almost anything if you’re determined and work hard.
In 1978, I went to the University of Michigan and started a degree in Psychology. The University of Michigan is the best public university in Michigan and I was arrogant when I graduated in 1982. In 1982, the United States was in one its worst recessions with 10.2 percent unemployment. I couldn’t find a job because I had no real marketable skills. I lived for the summer in Ann Arbor with my future wife, Lisa. It was the best summer I ever had and I was in love. At the end of the summer, I had the bright idea that I should move to North Carolina to find a job. I moved, but all I could find was a low-paying retail job. Because I had no money, I had a tiny apartment that I kept at sixty degrees even when Lisa came to visit. I lived on rice and beans and spent no money, except to call Lisa. I stayed out of credit card debt. I was lonely, but determined. I learned I can be self-sufficient and frugal.
In 1990, Lisa and I had our first son, Ben. We had another son, Nathan, a couple years later. They changed my outlook on life. I was overwhelmed and excited about being a dad. I worked hard to provide a stable home like my parents had. I learned family is more important than anything else.
In 2000, I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic and painful bladder disease. My doctor took six months to properly diagnose the problem, even though I suggested the correct diagnosis in our first meeting. I had several complications and I stayed in the hospital multiple times. I was terrified. I learned I’m mortal and life is too precious to waste it worrying.
In 2008, I picked up a book on Buddhism, Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World, and I was shocked at how much sense it made. How could I have gone so long without discovering these useful ideas? I started a daily meditation and reading program. I learned a content life comes from within yourself.
In 2009, I decided to start this site with the hope of helping others.
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Hi Roger,
One of the first books I read when I first began to study Buddhism was the same exact Lama Surya Das book that you listed. I still own it and give it out to people who always ask me about Buddhism. I think the book rocks!
And you are absolutely right…always listen to your body. I wish more medical schools would teach their students that patients knows their bodies better than they and that their opinion should be respected.
Thank you for mentioning me too!
Nadia,
Yes…I’ve read several other Buddhism books since Lama Surya Das’s book, but I still think it is the best book to start with.
Don’t get me started on problems related to our health care system.
I love your list. I especially like the last one — “a content life comes from within yourself” — because I truly believe this is the case. If you aren’t happy and content within, there is no way you can be happy about the life you are living.
Great list, Roger! I had to fight the temptation to get started on commenting about healthcare issues. Not even going to go there (inner peace… serenity now… breathe…)
Thanks for playing the tag game and have a WONDERFUL vacation!!!!
@Postively Present: That is one of my favorite items on the list as well. I only wish it appeared earlier in the list.
@Lisis: Thanks! I’m really excited about the trip.
thanks for your site, roger. i found you thru a comment you recently left at zenhabits.net.
i’m a bit younger (32) than you, but have also found an appreciation for buddhist wisdom, and i have recently decided to start making a more concerted effort to shape that peaceful, happy life for myself, and as i impact my household, amidst a rather crazy world.
i’ve been a writer (journalism, blogging, poetry and whatnot) for some years now, but only this week saw the lightbulb go off to begin my new blog, iHappy, where i hope for “blogging a happier world.” i guess i see what you’re doing as a similar idea, and i also, for some reason, took comfort in seeing that your archives are rather short, like mine. i think i wasn’t wanting to tell anyone about iHappy for a while, because i felt like i wanted to accumulate something “certainly useful” before i did. but what is “certainly useful,” right?
just finding your blog already is useful to me, for its concept and your list above. may we all blog our ways to more contented, happy lives…
thanks again for being another positive voice on the Internet. i’ve subscribed now, so i can keep up with your view on things as i continue to further mold my own path.
Roger, thanks for sharing your beautiful story. I think many of us will benefit from your courage and inspiration!
Roger, superb lessons from life!
I’m wondering if you really needed to find that book on Buddhism as it seems like the wisdom is already in you.
Ian
PS I’m delighted to meet you … and have a great vacation!
@Adam: Welcome and congratulations on your new blog. I’ll subscribe to you as well.
@Michael: Thanks! I think the kind of things that I experienced are ordinary, but I wanted to share what I felt shaped me.
@Ian: Welcome! Believe me, I need all the Buddhism I can get.
Very inspirational story Roger!
Words that came into my mind while reading your story are:
Persistence, endurance, perseverance, patience, compassion, determination, appreciation and abundance of love.
Thank you for sharing your story. You and your family have a “great” time in Miami Roger.
Vincent,
Thanks!
It’s very warm and beautiful here in Miami.
Roger, this is a wonderful post. I found you from a recommendation at Quantum Learning. The best thing you said in your post was:
“I learned I’m mortal and life is too precious to waste it worrying.”
Amen to that.
Great job and “I’ll be back.”
Stephen,
Welcome and thanks!
I like that lesson also. Sometimes I have to remind myself not to forget my own lessons.
Hi Roger
It’s good to get to know you better; I appreciate learning and being reminded of some life lessons.
Have a fun vacation!
Laurie,
Thanks! So far, I’m having a great vacation.