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Slum Dog or Millionaire?

Posted By: Randy GageNovember 20, 2010

I had an appointment at the tailor to take in some new Armani suits I picked up in Paris and Stockholm.  I was in my underwear, swishing my mouthwash around my mouth, when I noticed it looked like a bad storm was coming.  So I went out my back balcony to shut the hurricane shutters.

It was already getting quite breezy, and the wind blew the door shut.  Not a problem because I only use the dead bolt locks in my doors, not the twist lock ones on the handles, so to never get locked out.  The only issue I didn’t consider was the maid…

Who had thoughtfully locked the bottom lock the day before.  Now I was standing on my balcony in my underwear, locked out with a mouth full of mouthwash.  What would MacGyver do?

He would have taken the spokes off my bike and picked the lock.  Couldn’t figure out how to make that work.  So what would Jackie Chan do?

Well he would have scrambled over the balcony, and climbed a pipe up to the roof.  And since the wind was howling, and I’m afraid of heights, that didn’t seem very attractive.

I kept looking over the balcony, hoping to see the maintenance man or a neighbor that could come up and let me in.  No one in sight for ten minutes of all this. I wanted to get to the tailor, and then head down to Key West, so was getting impatient.  Then led to the next question...

What would Randy Gage do?

I broke the glass, stepped inside, called my assistant to get it replaced and left.  You always can use a new door anyway.

Certainly could have waited around on the balcony for another hour or two, waiting for someone to pass below and saved a chunk of cash.  But as usual, I went for the immediate gratification.

Not saying that was the smartest decision.  But that was the choice.  Ain’t it great to be rich?

One of the things you hear a lot is that someone without money can be prosperous.  Sorry, that dog don’t hunt.

Maybe you would have waited for someone to come along if you were locked out.  But have you priced what your kid’s braces will cost?  Seen what private school tuition is these days?  Know what it costs to attend a concert?  Noticed what a trip to Disneyworld costs?

Seen the price difference to buy organic produce without all the toxic chemicals?  Know what the movie house gets to let you see that art house film?

Yes sunsets are still free.  You can listen to the crickets chirping in the woods for nothing.  But the waterside room is $80 more, and the fuel to take you to the woods is three bucks a gallon.  And you don’t even want to know what new glass doors cost.

The great news is you get to choose.  You can be the slum dog or the millionaire.    Go for rich!

-RG

47 comments on “Slum Dog or Millionaire?”

  1. Randy---right on!

    "Go for rich!" Indeed.

    I was "poor but happy" for a lot of years.

    Now I am "wealthy AND happy." And that is one hell of a lot better. Plus, I can be truly generous to those I care about.

  2. LOL 🙂

    I could just imagine you stuck out there in your underwear screaming to the tourist below.

    Rich is definitely better. Breaking the door can be a fun adventure when you know that you can pay for it. But if you were poor then you would have had to stay outside worrying about it.

    I like that your idea of being rich takes the drama out of situations like this one. You can just enjoy it and have a laugh about it. It is true that adverse situations are funny when you have the money to get out of them. But a negative drama when you don't.

    What did you use to break the door? There must have been a plant pot to use or else it would have been an episode of Randy Chan scaling down the side of the building 😉

  3. I love you Randy Gage!
    This made me laugh out loud. At first I thought, Whoa...way TMI, but then it cracked me up! I am very literal in envisioning things, so just the thought of you standing on the balcony having all these thoughts run through your head was hysterical!

    Sometimes I think, when I used to watch cable TV, "what would _______ do in this situation?" I envision crime scenes, how to solve them or where to dart if ever in a dark alley when shadows appear, & why do they always take the stinking stairs up to the roof? The truth is.....those scenes are produced by people who may never react that way in those circumstances.

    "What would I do?" is a great question! I would have broken the glass! I choose millionaire! And....besides...I have watched way too many DIY, so...I would know what they do!

    Anyway....you get the award for great advice in a comic relief sort of way today!
    g

  4. Sign me up.. I'm ALL about being rich.. The heck with shopping at Ross or Loehman's.. Bring on the Porsche, Mazerati, Armani, Burberry, Parmigiania watches, etc.. If God didn't intend us to enjoy these luxuries, why are they there?

    Life's too short to think about saving pennies, when the abundance available is without limit. As T. Harv Ecker says, we must repeat daily, "I have a millionaire mind!"..

    I very much look forward to enjoying the luxuries the Universe has so thoughtfully made available.. And that's because I'm worthy of them!

    Thanks Randy!

  5. So I'm just curious how long the mouthwash stayed with you in this particular adventure? 😉

    and ... I'm seeing a whole new designer line of boxers with indescreet pockets just big enough to hold a cell phone and a screw driver!

    Thanks so much for the delightful visual!

    RICH indeed!!!!

    K

  6. Thanks for sharing that awkward moment with us.
    Just goes to show us even the Messiah is human.

    Smashing the glass a classic escape, reminds of the
    Alex Harvey song "Man in the Jar"

    Thanks for the humor today!

    Gary

  7. Ha!!! Finely I get the point Randy! All you need to do is lock yourself out , break the glass and you become rich!!! Lets start breaking glass!!!

    P.S Underwear and mouthwash does not really matter...

  8. Omigosh...laughing here! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

    Guess you were glad that no one calls the cops anymore when they hear glass shatter! On second thought, tho, that is kinda sad, huh?

    Having enough money that one can just live without thinking about costs of anything is definitely the way to go...

    Love your stuff, DJ

  9. Of course, it's better to be rich and everyone knows it and agree.
    But still, many people find justification for their laziness. And they say - can not buy health and happiness is not money ... Yes, I agree ... the happiness and health can not buy, but without the money will not get a good doctor ... 🙂

  10. I love that. How fab to be able to just not worry about the glass. At the same time you gave someone else some work too.

    I don't think everyone agrees rich is better. I think so many people pretend to themselves it's not better so they can cop out on doing what it takes to make more money. They pretend that they're better off as they are.

    I go for rich. Thanks Randy for sharing.

  11. Randy, you rock.
    That's the advantage of prosperity. Smash that glass door & get back inside 'cos you can just pay to get a replacement without having to shop and haggle around for prices.

  12. Randy,

    Thanks... This was an excellent post and the following statement is classic:

    "One of the things you hear a lot is that someone without money can be prosperous. Sorry, that dog don’t hunt."

    hahaha.... Lol...

    BTW, are you coming up with any new prosperity products (books, cd's, or dvd's)?

    To Your Success,

    Kevin

  13. this is a great anecdote. i like how you drive that point across to people, that being wealthy is just as much a part of abundance as having good health and relationships. you really are the millionaire messiah, because you seem to truly be on a mission to get people'e thinking right.
    me. unlike the first commenter, i was NEVER poor and happy. poor and miserable, yes...never happy being poor (unhappy with my station in life, but of course i was happy...that is also a choice).
    this is a powerful message because choosing to be rich isn't just a cute metaphor about choosing another form of abundance, but it challenges the mind to get rid of yet still hidden lack programming.

  14. Ah, I love this article.

    Y'know, Randy, there's something else that happened in that story that is worth calling attention to. In fact, you may have done this for so long that you've probably internalized it and didn't even realize what you did.

    Here it is: a broke person might not have broken the door because the idea to break the glass was something that didn't even occur to them!

    In other words, they didn't have the critical thinking skills to think outside the box; it never occurred to them that there was an alternative to waiting outside on a balcony.

    And the fact that you did is not to be overlooked. It's brilliant!

    I think that level of critical thinking IS tied to one's finances.

    When I was broke, I always thought I was "at the effect" of things that were going on around me. When I decided to be "at cause" for the things in my life....not only did I start making more money but I started seeing things differently.

    Crappy table at a restaurant? No one has to settle for that.

    Decide to go house-hunting and don't know the area? Pull over and spend $300 on a GPS unit to make the day easy and enjoyable.

    Want to have a few drinks when you go out? Call the limo company and tell them you want to hire a driver, not the whole car. If you drive a Bentley, who wants to cruise the city in a towncar?

    So, Randy, bravo as always for an amazing article! The combination of critical thinking and prosperity consciousness in your story is a "one-two punch" for a great way to live!

    I appreciate you!
    Tony Rush

  15. Great example Randy and I can relate. I find myself in situations quite frequently where I almost hear myself saying "if I had more money, I'd go with option x". Sometimes I choose things because I don't have the money or usually because I think it would be an unwise use of the money I do have, even though it's not really my preferred option.

  16. Being a South Florida millionaire, you should have electrical hurricane shutters instead of manual ones!!

    You could have them closed with a switch from the inside, while you were brushing you mouth, without going to the balcony, and the whole locked out thing wouldn't happened! 🙂

    But that's perhaps a theme for another discussion, isn't? Being prepared for success ...

    And off course, I go for rich

  17. Yes sunsets are still free. You can listen to the crickets chirping in the woods for nothing. But the waterside room is $80 more, and the fuel to take you to the woods is three bucks a gallon.

    I love that line.

    Thanks for sharing.

  18. How long did you wait to deal with the mouthwash?

    There was a period where I was always tired from burning the candle on both ends and the middle. I grew up leaving the keys in the car and unlocked. When tired I reverted to locking the keys in my car, in the ignition. Every time I had a spare key I did not do that and I put a spare key in one of those magnet boxes. The box was not placed right so the next time I locked my keys in I broke the back door 'opera' window. It only cost $35 to fix and the key cost nearly as much to replace. A couple more windows and I bought a new car with a number password to open the doors.

    Having money makes me a much nicer guy to be around. That's what my darling wife says. She means in my billfold. It is easier to manage life's little travail episodes when you don't have to worry about money. You will likely worry about something else but it too will be a different kind of problem like how to help every kid that shows up instead of what you planned for.

  19. This reminds me of the story when a truck wedged itself underneath an arc gateway in old europe. Many people gathered around and were trying to figure out ways to get it free with the least amount of incident. Engineers, Police, et al were all there scratching their heads. Then a child rode up on his tricyle and said "why don't you let the air out of the tires".

  20. RG,
    I could feel that "what do I do?". I would have done the same thing. Keep a fishing rod out there with a note attached that says "Help, Semi Naked Man Stuck on Balcony. For a FREE Peak call the Maintenance Man.

    Glad you are Ok.
    Jim
    PS. Timing is everything dammit

  21. Hi Randy,
    First time follower ... just heard you interviewed by Jack Humphrey on a Webside Chats podcast ... immediately suspected I'd continue to enjoy reading and listening to your stuff.

    I think of "peace" after reading this post ... and to piggy back on Tony's insights ...
    Prosperity gives you a liberating peace of mind, which in turn frees your mind exponentially to think and be so much more.

    Damn hard to perceive options, live joyfully and become much more when you're consumed by desperation.

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  • 47 comments on “Slum Dog or Millionaire?”

    1. Randy---right on!

      "Go for rich!" Indeed.

      I was "poor but happy" for a lot of years.

      Now I am "wealthy AND happy." And that is one hell of a lot better. Plus, I can be truly generous to those I care about.

    2. LOL 🙂

      I could just imagine you stuck out there in your underwear screaming to the tourist below.

      Rich is definitely better. Breaking the door can be a fun adventure when you know that you can pay for it. But if you were poor then you would have had to stay outside worrying about it.

      I like that your idea of being rich takes the drama out of situations like this one. You can just enjoy it and have a laugh about it. It is true that adverse situations are funny when you have the money to get out of them. But a negative drama when you don't.

      What did you use to break the door? There must have been a plant pot to use or else it would have been an episode of Randy Chan scaling down the side of the building 😉

    3. I love you Randy Gage!
      This made me laugh out loud. At first I thought, Whoa...way TMI, but then it cracked me up! I am very literal in envisioning things, so just the thought of you standing on the balcony having all these thoughts run through your head was hysterical!

      Sometimes I think, when I used to watch cable TV, "what would _______ do in this situation?" I envision crime scenes, how to solve them or where to dart if ever in a dark alley when shadows appear, & why do they always take the stinking stairs up to the roof? The truth is.....those scenes are produced by people who may never react that way in those circumstances.

      "What would I do?" is a great question! I would have broken the glass! I choose millionaire! And....besides...I have watched way too many DIY, so...I would know what they do!

      Anyway....you get the award for great advice in a comic relief sort of way today!
      g

    4. Sign me up.. I'm ALL about being rich.. The heck with shopping at Ross or Loehman's.. Bring on the Porsche, Mazerati, Armani, Burberry, Parmigiania watches, etc.. If God didn't intend us to enjoy these luxuries, why are they there?

      Life's too short to think about saving pennies, when the abundance available is without limit. As T. Harv Ecker says, we must repeat daily, "I have a millionaire mind!"..

      I very much look forward to enjoying the luxuries the Universe has so thoughtfully made available.. And that's because I'm worthy of them!

      Thanks Randy!

    5. So I'm just curious how long the mouthwash stayed with you in this particular adventure? 😉

      and ... I'm seeing a whole new designer line of boxers with indescreet pockets just big enough to hold a cell phone and a screw driver!

      Thanks so much for the delightful visual!

      RICH indeed!!!!

      K

    6. Thanks for sharing that awkward moment with us.
      Just goes to show us even the Messiah is human.

      Smashing the glass a classic escape, reminds of the
      Alex Harvey song "Man in the Jar"

      Thanks for the humor today!

      Gary

    7. Ha!!! Finely I get the point Randy! All you need to do is lock yourself out , break the glass and you become rich!!! Lets start breaking glass!!!

      P.S Underwear and mouthwash does not really matter...

    8. Omigosh...laughing here! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

      Guess you were glad that no one calls the cops anymore when they hear glass shatter! On second thought, tho, that is kinda sad, huh?

      Having enough money that one can just live without thinking about costs of anything is definitely the way to go...

      Love your stuff, DJ

    9. Of course, it's better to be rich and everyone knows it and agree.
      But still, many people find justification for their laziness. And they say - can not buy health and happiness is not money ... Yes, I agree ... the happiness and health can not buy, but without the money will not get a good doctor ... 🙂

    10. I love that. How fab to be able to just not worry about the glass. At the same time you gave someone else some work too.

      I don't think everyone agrees rich is better. I think so many people pretend to themselves it's not better so they can cop out on doing what it takes to make more money. They pretend that they're better off as they are.

      I go for rich. Thanks Randy for sharing.

    11. Randy, you rock.
      That's the advantage of prosperity. Smash that glass door & get back inside 'cos you can just pay to get a replacement without having to shop and haggle around for prices.

    12. Randy,

      Thanks... This was an excellent post and the following statement is classic:

      "One of the things you hear a lot is that someone without money can be prosperous. Sorry, that dog don’t hunt."

      hahaha.... Lol...

      BTW, are you coming up with any new prosperity products (books, cd's, or dvd's)?

      To Your Success,

      Kevin

    13. this is a great anecdote. i like how you drive that point across to people, that being wealthy is just as much a part of abundance as having good health and relationships. you really are the millionaire messiah, because you seem to truly be on a mission to get people'e thinking right.
      me. unlike the first commenter, i was NEVER poor and happy. poor and miserable, yes...never happy being poor (unhappy with my station in life, but of course i was happy...that is also a choice).
      this is a powerful message because choosing to be rich isn't just a cute metaphor about choosing another form of abundance, but it challenges the mind to get rid of yet still hidden lack programming.

    14. Ah, I love this article.

      Y'know, Randy, there's something else that happened in that story that is worth calling attention to. In fact, you may have done this for so long that you've probably internalized it and didn't even realize what you did.

      Here it is: a broke person might not have broken the door because the idea to break the glass was something that didn't even occur to them!

      In other words, they didn't have the critical thinking skills to think outside the box; it never occurred to them that there was an alternative to waiting outside on a balcony.

      And the fact that you did is not to be overlooked. It's brilliant!

      I think that level of critical thinking IS tied to one's finances.

      When I was broke, I always thought I was "at the effect" of things that were going on around me. When I decided to be "at cause" for the things in my life....not only did I start making more money but I started seeing things differently.

      Crappy table at a restaurant? No one has to settle for that.

      Decide to go house-hunting and don't know the area? Pull over and spend $300 on a GPS unit to make the day easy and enjoyable.

      Want to have a few drinks when you go out? Call the limo company and tell them you want to hire a driver, not the whole car. If you drive a Bentley, who wants to cruise the city in a towncar?

      So, Randy, bravo as always for an amazing article! The combination of critical thinking and prosperity consciousness in your story is a "one-two punch" for a great way to live!

      I appreciate you!
      Tony Rush

    15. Great example Randy and I can relate. I find myself in situations quite frequently where I almost hear myself saying "if I had more money, I'd go with option x". Sometimes I choose things because I don't have the money or usually because I think it would be an unwise use of the money I do have, even though it's not really my preferred option.

    16. Being a South Florida millionaire, you should have electrical hurricane shutters instead of manual ones!!

      You could have them closed with a switch from the inside, while you were brushing you mouth, without going to the balcony, and the whole locked out thing wouldn't happened! 🙂

      But that's perhaps a theme for another discussion, isn't? Being prepared for success ...

      And off course, I go for rich

    17. Yes sunsets are still free. You can listen to the crickets chirping in the woods for nothing. But the waterside room is $80 more, and the fuel to take you to the woods is three bucks a gallon.

      I love that line.

      Thanks for sharing.

    18. How long did you wait to deal with the mouthwash?

      There was a period where I was always tired from burning the candle on both ends and the middle. I grew up leaving the keys in the car and unlocked. When tired I reverted to locking the keys in my car, in the ignition. Every time I had a spare key I did not do that and I put a spare key in one of those magnet boxes. The box was not placed right so the next time I locked my keys in I broke the back door 'opera' window. It only cost $35 to fix and the key cost nearly as much to replace. A couple more windows and I bought a new car with a number password to open the doors.

      Having money makes me a much nicer guy to be around. That's what my darling wife says. She means in my billfold. It is easier to manage life's little travail episodes when you don't have to worry about money. You will likely worry about something else but it too will be a different kind of problem like how to help every kid that shows up instead of what you planned for.

    19. This reminds me of the story when a truck wedged itself underneath an arc gateway in old europe. Many people gathered around and were trying to figure out ways to get it free with the least amount of incident. Engineers, Police, et al were all there scratching their heads. Then a child rode up on his tricyle and said "why don't you let the air out of the tires".

    20. RG,
      I could feel that "what do I do?". I would have done the same thing. Keep a fishing rod out there with a note attached that says "Help, Semi Naked Man Stuck on Balcony. For a FREE Peak call the Maintenance Man.

      Glad you are Ok.
      Jim
      PS. Timing is everything dammit

    21. Hi Randy,
      First time follower ... just heard you interviewed by Jack Humphrey on a Webside Chats podcast ... immediately suspected I'd continue to enjoy reading and listening to your stuff.

      I think of "peace" after reading this post ... and to piggy back on Tony's insights ...
      Prosperity gives you a liberating peace of mind, which in turn frees your mind exponentially to think and be so much more.

      Damn hard to perceive options, live joyfully and become much more when you're consumed by desperation.

    Leave a Reply to Steve Siebold Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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