Leaving the US and going to live in another country fundamentally changes the way a person perceives life and lifestyle. There is a significant contrast in both perception and reality between the US and elsewhere regarding the concept of ‘lifestyles’. Life abroad enables a person to realize that life in Canada and the US in particular tends to foster a North American-centric and essentially, a somewhat narrow view.  In increasing numbers, people in the states & Canada are beginning to ask fundamental questions about their lives. It seems that life in the first-world countries has become about consumption, a continuing thirst for newer stuff: new cars, bigger houses, the latest electronics. Borrow, spend and then work your life away to pay for the new stuff. ‘Lifestyle’ in the modern world has come to mean what you have.

‘Lifestyle’ south of the border generally means the quality of the life you live. It means slowing down enough to realize that life can be perfectly beautiful without the pressures of getting more stuff and then being enslaved to paying for it and maintaining it. Life can be anything you want it to be and it doesn’t have to be expensive or feel like being trapped in a bad dream of rush-hour traffic, bone-chilling climate and trying to stretch your income to cover your out-go.

Here’s little story that seems to sum it up very well:

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village.  A tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the tourist.

The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The tourist asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife.  In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends,
have a few drinks, enjoy a game of cards, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.  I have a full life."

The tourist interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!  You should start by fishing longer every day.  You can then sell the extra fish you catch.  With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?" asked the fisherman.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers.  Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processors and maybe even open your own plant.  You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angeles, or even New York City!  From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the fisherman.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the tourist.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards?  Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions?  Really?  And after that?" asked the fisherman.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with  your wife and spend your evenings drinking, playing cards, singing, and enjoying your friends."

Are you living the life you want? When you’re taking your last breaths, will you regret what you did in your life or what you didn’t do? To start your process of transitioning to a more meaningful life, register for one of our upcoming Vallarta Discovery weeks.