Golden Ticket
Another day, another dollar.
As the world is being taken over by corona, not many of us can afford to pass up opportunities to get some extra income. Even if it’s not within our expertise and we don’t make a bank, having a few extra bucks never harmed a wallet.
Today I agreed to do some gardening for one of the most successful [self-made] businessmen of the Netherlands. I get paid to help, but I would’ve done it anyway even if I didn’t get a cent.
Why?
Because the real value is in learning from people who already made it.
If you think about it, how often can you spend some time with an actual millionaire?
Possibly not quite often; but I’m sure most of us would do so if we had the chance.
Previously I already mentioned a few lessons I’ve learned from him, but each time there is something new that broadens my perspective – and not only financially. Our mindset is equally important when it comes to building wealth, and to develop the right one we need examples and mentoring.
The best way for that is to hang out with successful Gents and Ladies.
That’s why: Always take the opportunity when you have it.
“If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”
Richard Branson
The task for today was to prepare his garden – the winter is coming – by cutting off a couple of fresh branches and putting them on the top of his fence, so his nosy neighbor couldn’t spy on him.
He gave me a spear-saw, garden shears and a ladder.
“Put the ladder in an angle, hug the trees and don’t lean backwards – then you won’t fall.”
After internalizing the instructions, I began chopping off hundreds of twigs from the bottom to the top, around 7 or 8 meters high.
I don’t have acrophobia, but this puts you in a dilemma:
– If you look down, you can’t really see what’s going on with the saw, and distance from the ground makes you cling to the tree harder than usual.
– If you look up, however, you strain your neck and all the sawdust will land in your eyeballs.
None of these are ideal, but the work has to be done.
To my surprise, his dog (Jane) was running all around us, risking an accident by being hit with all the falling stuff. If only we could learn how to be that free and nonchalant.
2 hours into the job we had a sandwich break, and a chat with a friend of his who was older than 85 years.
I didn’t understand a single word he was saying. After living here for 642 days, my Dutch is pretty impressive, but there was no way I could decipher the century old accent of his.
[Apparently neither do they, but they only told me after he went away – “Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave“]
We continued to clean up the mess that was growing there in the abundant Dutch rain/forest, when his Lady arrived to make a delicious lunch for the men “working on the field”
I remember standing on the top of the ladder in the far end of the property, when the smells sneaked up in my nostrils and turned my mouth into a saliva-tsunami.
They waved me in and served the ultimate English-breakfast I haven’t (ever) yet eaten.
If you’re an Englishman, you know the drill – bacon, fried eggs, toasts, roasted tomato and sausages. Sometimes even beans. How can you say no to such a thing?
Now, with our bodies fueled & our energy filled, we tackled the most difficult item on the list:
Cutting down a sick tree.
Last occasion we almost got killed, but Lady Fortune spared us for another day.
He tied up a rope as high as he could possibly place it, attached it to the tractor and slowly rolled backwards until it was tight enough to pull the tree.
The chainsaw began to buzz after an almighty jerk on the cord, as it slowly cut through all the way until the middle.
“When I raise my hand, go backwards with the tractor and gently bend the tree in the right direction.”
Easy and simple, all I have to do is touch the gas pedal when I’m signaled.
Before he could raise his hand, the tree broke under the pressure and twisted on the fence, swinging the trunk right next to my Boss’ chest. 3 or 4 seconds passed in dead silence. It could’ve cut his guts open.
He was just standing there, completely unshaken, scratching his head.
The tree fell on the road, and the chainsaw was stuck in the cut-crack.
No matter how hard we tried to pull, it wouldn’t come out of there. The pressure from both sides was hugging the blade, like a mother whose son came back from war without missing a limb.
We tried lifting the trunk with poles, supported by logs and wooden planks, but it didn’t even bend.
That’s when he brought his wooden Mjölnir to smash an axe-head in the crack, to widen the gap.
The next thing I saw, I wouldn’t believe if I hadn’t been there myself:
He spits in his hand, lifts the hammer and swings at the steel with Thor’s strength.
It visibly pushed deeper, so he smacked it 2, 3 and 4 more times until the axe sank into the crack.
The chainsaw wouldn’t budge, nonetheless.
What I noticed, on the other hand, is that the crack next to it was almost open. If we could cut that, the trunk would fall on the ground and take the pressure off of our electrical axe.
I brought a hand saw and began playing the ‘Fastest Hand on the West’.
There was only a 2 cm thick quarter of the tree trunk left, when it finally gave in with a loud crack and freed our Chainsawlibur from nature’s hands.
He gave me the famous Dutch Wink and began chopping up the rest.
It was around 17:20 at this point, and we started at 8:15. Almost 10 hours of endless branch cutting led to the final boss of the day: Cleaning up the tree that blocks the path to the stable and a field full of sheep.
These moments always make me realize one extremely relevant thing:
Bit by bit, piece by piece, you DO progress – even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Consistency and perseverance are the ultimate tricks.
By the time it was 18:30, we cleaned up every single branch and twig. The Garden was clean and neat
“I wish we made a before pic” – I looked at him almost sadly, acknowledging that I won’t see the significance of the change we accomplished today.
Right as we placed the tools back to the shed, a heavenly smell started to seduce our noses.
“I’m going to stand here and wait” – He stopped in front of the house, waiting for the good news:
“Dinner is ready!”
With the enthusiasm of a kid at Christmas eve, I went inside to see what it is.
– Aardappel1 gratin, steamed broccoli, salad and meat.
Or, if I may say, a dinner that beats most of the restaurant food I ever ate.
I had to eat with my eyes closed, the flavors in my mouth were playing a movie directed by Michael Bay – my tongue exploded with the sensory of tastes.
Every spoonful carried the love of the Woman who cooked it gladly.
“We’re going to drink a glass of wine, Erik”
He popped out the cork and smelled it for no longer than a blink. If someone knows what good wine is, it’s him.
“Ah yes, it tastes great!”
He poured both of us a glass next to the divine meal. It was an extraordinary French beauty.
As we filled our bellies with delicious wine and aardappel gratin, they told me about their greatest struggle at chilling:
“We don’t often watch the telly [Remarkable English], but we’ve just discovered Netflix, and we didn’t know where to start, there are so many things!”
You should’ve seen my smile, this was the cutest comment I’ve heard this year.
The wonders of the modern world never cease to amaze the people living in it.
Before we licked our plates clean, we switched from leisure to address business, discussing how Corona affects our economy.
Since I’m a Medical Masseur – or a professional massage therapist – it’s quite challenging.
I told them that my reputation in the neighborhood must be great, because all they hear is people screaming and crying after they come to me.
They probably think that I’m gay, but that’s okay. My clients are forever grateful for every painful minute, since the second they stand up, their bodies are fixed.
They burst into laughter, with a warm emphasis made by the wrinkles caused by age.
I felt welcome, at home, as if I was a member of the Family – not an outsider who moved here from Hungary.
At one point they even brought up my hobby of Banana walking, which is my strategy to reset the “What other people think of me” issue in my brain.
When I showed them a video of me doing it, another round of loud laughter came out in disbelief.
I really enjoy doing things like this.
As we finished dining, he reached for his wallet and turned to me
“Erik, I’ve got something for you, because I know you wanted it”
He pulls out a 200€ bill and hands it over to pay for the hours I’ve worked for him.
Last year he showed me a 500€ bill [the biggest there is], and there aren’t many of them – most of those are owned by the rich. Ever since I wanted to get one from him, so I could have it framed in my room/future office.
That day is getting closer, but today I got this:
Though the day ended with only 10 hours of work on a Saturday, he was satisfied with what we achieved.
Since he works 12 hour days, 6 days a week – no wonder he got where he is – this was one of those chill days, but by no means lazy or unproductive.
“In the end you’ll always feel satisfied with the progress you made. Just keep working for it” – he told me in the car on our way to my place.
His Life is a solid example that proves it.
Let’s give that a shot and see where it leads.
Take care and chase dreams,
Erik
2020.10.24 – Day 642
Writer’s Notes:
[NL] Aardappel1 – [ENG] Potato – [HU] Burgonya / Krumpli
Road to a New Life 
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Willie Wonka, hi my name is Elizabeth Denise Yocum yes yes I am from 109 Troon circle Mt airy Maryland right now I leave now you did know that mr Wonka I hope you can get me your golden ticket into my house please please I wish for I want your golden ticket into your chocolate candy please please bring it to me please please please please thanks!!!!!!!! Elizabeth
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