money, as a goal, as an end unto itself, is not what i want for my life. i want my goals to be about doing great things and changing the world… not just making myself rich and powerful. if the money comes as a result, i’m not going to throw it away.
Kevin Ellerton's Life List
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1. bring eastern wisdom into the western psychological / educational paradigm
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2. inspire millions of people to choose socially responsible careers
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3. work as a surgeon in thailand
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4. explore planet earth
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5. circumnavigate the earth by land and sea
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6. have children
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7. make millions of dollars and use it for large-scale philanthropic projects
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8. help develop an alternate source of energy
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9. help promote peace on earth
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10. leave the world a better place than i found it
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11. return to the earth
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How I did it: I worked for a few months making money as a real estate agent. I ran around with my friend David, helping people find apartments. David and I saved up about $100,000 this way.At some point, I decided that certain regions of the world (especially Africa) are in a state of constant tragedy, and that the most worthwhile use of my life would be to try to help out as best I can. I thought at first that I should raise a mercen… Read how I did it…
How I did it: There is no end to adventure in this world. I will be exploring the Planet and discovering its wonders until my body returns to the Earth.I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to explore some of the jungles in Central America in the early years of my youth :-)In my twenty first year, in the academic halls of Stony Brook, I heard rumor of an archaeological expedition embarking for the Belize Valley. I signed mysel… Read how I did it…
How I did it: When I signed up for college, I had just been exiled from my previous life for heresy against Orthodox Judaism.I spent one boring semester living in my parents' attic and commuting to a commuter-school in Queens. I was afraid to talk to anyone in my classes.I made a very good decision the day I switched to a school way out in the forest and registered for the dorms.I learned many things about myself and the world around me from Cann… Read how I did it…
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Wat Suan Mokkh, Chaiya, Southern Thailand.
1. Land in Bangkok.
2. Take a train south to Surat Thani (big city).
3. Ask around, find out how to get to Wat Suan Mokkh (pronounced “swan moke,” but elongate the o in moke) in Chaiya.
4. Arrive there during the day, because it’s in the middle of the forest and it’s pitch dark at night. If you get there at night, you will get lost, fall down, and get bitten by a snake. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight!
5. Talk to the people at the information desk just inside the main gate; they will lead you to the guest lodging house (free).
6. Mostly Thai-speaking, but if you need to talk to someone, you can find one or two European monks who speak good English roaming around the grounds during the day.
I will go back there the next time I’m in Thailand.
Motorcycles are very dangerous.
I rode a Yamaha Nouvo 135cc two-up (with a passenger) from Phuket, Thailand, up to Hua Hin, back down to Chaiya in Surat Thani, then over to Donsak. Then we took the bike on a ferry to Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. Then I drove all the way back from Donsak to Phuket.
Bikers in the Southern Thailand region had told me this type of trip was impossible, or at least very dangerous. Well, I didn’t even get a scratch on my bike! I thought I was invincible.
It was all fun and games until one day we got hit by a truck coming around a curve in Phang-nga province. Boom! Life changes (or ends) in an instant.
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun, but beware of the risks. If you make one wrong move, you’re dead. I broke my neck, my passenger broker her leg. I’ll be in a neck-brace for 3 months, she’ll be on crutches for 6. The driver of the truck was completely unharmed, yet WE the motorcyclists were considered the lucky ones. In Thailand, dozens of people die every day in motorcycle accidents. I was this close to being a statistic.
Be careful. If you’re going to ride a motorcycle, ride slowly, and know your limits.



