Rob is a surfer kid from Huntington Beach I know. Even though he’s almost 34, I still call him kid affectionately as he has the exuberance and energy of one.
We first met in Ft. Stewart, GA. He had a beat up Honda Accord that he threw all his spare money into- custom manifolds, custom exhausts, custom car stereo…. On weekends, he’d bungee cord his surfboard to the roof and drive off to the beaches between Hilton Head Island and Jekyll Island always looking for some better waves. I joined him many times and for the most part, we both decided waves were better on the West Coast.
He was a classic kuncklehead. Never on time. Always had money problems. Loved to backtalk and make sarcastic replies. Women loved, then hated him. And he was always getting tickets. His life was a mess, and the longer I knew him while we were both still in the Army, the more he spiraled downward and out of control.
After I had left to pursue other callings of my own life, Rob did something, well, quite amazing. To this day, it still impresses me. Not the fact that he decided to do it, but the fact that he recognized this question, this basic question of life, so early on. His girlfriend had dumped him after draining his bank accounts (he was a trusting guy, and still is) while he was in Kosovo. Bungee cords gave way and deposited his surfboard on GA State Route 26. Then his car was stolen. His rebelliousness against all military command was the cause of his demotion and several Article 15’s. Then he failed a urinalysis test. All this within a month.
I had been keeping up with him via brief phone calls now and then and talked to him at the tail end of all this. Rather than be upset, angry, and pissed off at all the things that had gone wrong in that Month of Calamity, he was calm, happy, and well.. aloof. He told me he woke up one morning, and decided that he could be Happy or Angry. We talked about it more. This was NEWS to me. If he could be happy in spite of all the crap thats gone wrong, then how happy would he be when everything goes right? He told me all that stuff didn’t matter- the surfboard, the car, the girlfriend that he had fallen in love with, the thousands that she ran off with. All that did matter, to him, was that he stay happy. I’ve heard some of his other friends call him the most selfish person they know because of this. He doesn’t care because he knows, without a doubt, that he alone is responsible for his own happiness and he has made that the focal point of his life.
That’s it. One decision made one morning and Rob’s life changed immaculately and forever. Sure, life still tested him and threw him curve balls- but he’s been happy, genuinely happy, since he made that decision. He’s one of the funniest guys I know, and being around him makes me happy. He has a joyous Energy around him. He’s also one of the “luckiest” guys I know…
He’s gone from being broke and living in a trailer (surfing all day and living off of unemployment after his army days) to being rich and living in a RV. He owns several construction companies in Southern California and lets other people manage them while he travels up and down the coast chasing waves. While some people may not equate being rich with living in a RV, to him, it’s the ultimate expression of freedom- the ability to pick up and move on to wherever he damn well pleases.
It wasn’t that one momentous decision that allowed him to be happy, it was a series of steps and smaller decisions he had undertaken – all the things that had gone “wrong” in his life and the emotions he attached to them…that allowed him to climb to the point where he could, by setting his intentions into words, choose to just be happy. Once he did that, all the stuff that had gone “wrong” before just no longer mattered to him. His point of focus was so powerful that morning he woke up and decided to be happy, that he’s never had to revisit or question that decision and his response. It’s become his normal.
When I talk to Rob now, he’s never consumed by all that he’s achieved. It’s just his own personal path of progression and evolution guided by his singular desire to just be happy. All that he’s achieved has just been his path to his happiness, and every step of the way, he remained happy and joyful. Think about that. When I knew him in the Army he had just turned 19. He did terrible in school because he skipped most of his classes every day to catch waves in the morning. He never held a job and had no clue what to do after he graduated. The Army was an easy choice for him because a recruiter promised him he could get stationed in Hawaii. He smoked cheeba, he chased and abused betty’s (the californian term for hot babes), he drove and lived recklessly, he was a double fisted drinker and fighter, and he absolutely hated and rebelled against all authority figures. How could such a walking calamity as he was ever attain what he has in just under 15 years?
He became a plumber in the mid 90’s after his unemployment ran out. He earned his license based on his military training, then levied those skills to into a plumbing contracting business which he then sold to purchase a small construction company. When business boomed for him in early 2000, he bought another, then another. Somehow, the right people came into his life at the right time to do all this- only so Rob could continue to feel happy. What makes him happy besides surfing? Not much- but that’s the whole point. Rob’s Life turned around and provided him a way and a means to do what he loves. He didn’t start out trying to manifest money or wealth (that was a by-product of his genuine desire to just be happy), but he is now wealthy enough to never have to work another day in his life.
This seems to be the point that most people can never really get right, they just don’t know what they truly love and enjoy to do. They doggedly pursue wealth assuming once they have it, then they’ll be happy. Money is not the engine, it’s just the oil.
He’s on his way to Australia and New Zealand to catch waves out there for a few years. I keep telling him that eventually he’ll find something else that will make him as happy as surfing, and he tells me that he knows. Then he tells me he also knows his life will provide him the means and the way to be happy doing that as well.
It’s not about the how and the why- it’s only about how you feel!
Big Hugs,
J.Henry
Update: 9 July 09: I spoke with Rob recently. Although he’s still setting things up in Cali. for an extended departure to the land down down under, he did have time to scan a book with me over the phone. It’s from Brian Kim who has a great productivity blog that Rob and I have been reading for a couple of years. We both agreed that this is the most simplest way to find out what makes you happy and gives you the ideas needed to do it. Check it out: Find your Passion!
Update: 18 August 09: Rob has made it to Kiama, Australia. Tells me “The Boneyard” is where the surf is happening. Our buddies at Real Subliminal revamped one of their products based on Rob’s wild success story: Extreme Self Motivation Subliminal Check it out!
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;) Wonderful post! It’s changed my mind about what my priorities should really be. I mean, if dollars flow to ppl that are happy, then why even chase them?! Thanks for this great perspective.
Super words- i get so irritated by all these LOA’ers. It’s not ’bout what you want, it’s about what youre feeling. well stated post. tell robbie to hang ten!
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions several times it’s just not about money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business. It’s even evident in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar (here, and here too) in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. He didn’t set out to become a guru, but his tactics, tips, advice, and services have made him one. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions several times it’s just not about money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business. It’s even evident in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar (here, and here too) in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. He didn’t set out to become a guru, but his tactics, tips, advice, and services have made him one. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions several it’s just not about money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s growing his online brand and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. ecently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s growing his online brand and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s creating his online presence and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s growing his online brand and JV’s. It’s even clear in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and JV’s. It’s even clear in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business. It’s even evident in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and JV’s. It’s even clear in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and JV’s. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and JV’s. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and JV’s. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business ventures. It’s even clear in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and JV’s. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business ventures. It’s even clear in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business ventures. It’s even clear in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s growing his online brand and business ventures. It’s even clear in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s growing his online brand and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business ventures. It’s even evident in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and JV’s. It’s even evident in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and JV’s. It’s even clear in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business. It’s even clear in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about all the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business. It’s even apparent in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he ,on some quantum tip knows this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business ventures. It’s even evident in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about the money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business ventures. It’s even evident in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about the money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and business ventures. It’s even apparent in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online brand and business. It’s even evident in how he handles people and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s evident in all the different ways he’s growing his online presence and business ventures. It’s even clear in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s growing his online brand and business. It’s even clear in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of doling out gangster style IM techniques. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions severa timesl it’s just not about all the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business. It’s even evident in how he handles situations and events. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish cooly laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he is well versed in this- he even mentions it multiple times it’s just not about money… It’s apparent in all the different ways he’s expanding his online presence and business. It’s even evident in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar in San Diego this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish quietly laughs, then gets back to the business of dishing out forbidden IM knowledge. [...]
[...] Money’s the oil, not the engine, and he initmately knows this- he even mentions numerous times it’s just not about all the money… It’s clear in all the different ways he’s creating his online brand and business ventures. It’s even evident in how he handles people and situations. He recently had his magic bullet seminar this August- and drunk midgets crash the party. Amish gently laughs, then gets back to the business of serving secret IM tactics. [...]