Ian Usher

Several years ago, I remember reading a news story about an Englishman in Perth (too bad it wasn't New York) who had just had a divorce.  He was fairly depressed about his life and decided to do something about it by getting a fresh start.  A REALLY fresh start.  He put his life up for auction on E-bay.  He auctioned his house and everything in it from the car all the way down to the silverware.  He even offered to introduce the winning bidder to all his friends.  He would simply walk away with the clothes on his back.  Well, it worked and he got $305,000 (I'm guessing US$?).  Very interesting story in and of itself.   But I always did wonder what became of him.

A few days ago, I caught a news story that reported on what Mr. Ian Usher has been up to.  In short, he decided to take off and go traveling for as long as the money would last.  He also wanted to set a goal for himself each week of his travels - usually some kind of new experience.  After two years, when the money was almost gone, he bought himself an island off the coast of Panama.  I'm sure everyone has had the escape-to-your-own-tropical-island fantasy, but Ian has actually made it into a reality.  BTW, buying your own private island is not anywhere close to being as expensive as I thought it would be - Google it.  This is a truly inspiring story.  I have often fantasized about such embarking on a similar adventure.  My two month journey to Cambodia last year gave me a taste of what it might be like.  I would probably be a bit more practical by maintaining a home base somewhere and I would also want to be a bit more financially secure.  But considering his age (48) and how much money he had to start with, it's not entirely unfeasible.  Plus, there's a few more things I want to accomplish before I cast aside all responsibilities, but when all is said and done, is there a good reason I shouldn't do something like this?  After all, do I want to live my life according to a standardized script?  This is something I need to dwell on some more.

He's also written a blog that describes his attempt to fulfill 100 goals in 100 weeks.  I admire the hell out of him for being able to turn everything in his life around in a matter of 2 years.  Here is a man who was living a life that had lost all meaning.  He had nothing left to lose but his material possessions.  And so he cut them loose.  In doing so, he freed himself from everything that tied him to that life of quiet desperation.  All it took was the courage to turn his life upside down and inside out.  Cheers to Mr. Usher.  I'll be looking out for your Disney movie when it comes out (yes, I do see the irony).