BY NICK ARANDES chapter 9
FROM HOMELESS TO WEALTH WITHOUT EFFORT The story began in 1997. After a successful career as a comedian, having relocated to California, I was in the myth of a spiritual journey that was about to take over my life. I remember writing my life’s purpose back in 1994:
“My purpose in life is to bring joy, happiness and encouragement to every person whom I come into contact with. To devote my entire life to the development, and growth of my own spiritual, mental, and physical capacities so that I can serve as an example to others. To help everyone see the greatness that resides within them that will allow them to live their dreams so that they can share the fruit of their endeavors with their loved ones as well as humanity.” ~ Nick Arandes I had no idea that what I have written would eventually turn into my greatest challenge. Having moved out of comedy in pursuit of my spiritual path, I remember feeding homeless people on Saturdays among other things as a way of giving back.
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Opportunities began to show up in my life, mostly as a result of me trusting and taking leaps of faith... ...in other words, all the resources and opportunities to bring my dreams into fruition came easily and effortless.
Then the wheels started to turn on me. I had some properties I inherited in my native island of Puerto Rico, which were covering the rent in order for me to sustain myself in California. Well, something unexpected happened... One of my properties had a tax debt since 1960, which forced me to sell them leaving me with over $45,000 in credit card debt and no income coming. All of a sudden I found myself out on the streets, with no money, a huge credit card debt and hungry. Depending on friends and family I ended up picking odd jobs to merely put gasoline in my car and feed myself. I was forced to file bankruptcy adding more challenges to my situation because now I didn’t even have credit cards so I had to function on a cash basis. An agent picked me up and I went back on the road as a comedian to make ends meet. A career that was no longer fulfilling to me, living out of my car or somebody’s floor whenever I was able to find someone who was generous enough to help me put a roof over my head, I found myself questioning all the things I have learned about God, my spirituality, the universe. There were times when I was angry at God. I sometimes began to question God’s existence. I always took pride in taking care of my physical health. Imagine how I was feeling when I found myself budgeting to make sure I can have at least three sandwiches a day. I remember walking into a store and buying a gallon of milk 48
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and a $1.00 box of cereal so at least I have something to fill in my stomach. It got to the point where it was no longer about the kind of food I would eat but about the fact that something could fill in my empty stomach, therefore allowing me to focus on the life I really wanted to have. A life I knew I deserved, I just didn’t know how to create it. Interestingly enough, something mysteriously began to happen... When I was getting ready to give up, a strange synchronicity would show up in my life allowing me to continue on. At the time, I didn’t know why these things kept happening in times when I was ready to quit. What I was not realizing is that one of the most powerful laws in the universe was being revealed. And that is the Law of Surrender. In other words, as I began to let go, become vulnerable, trusting in my life’s process, I was beginning to draw into my space more and more hidden blessings that would allow me to continue on my journey. I kept going deeper into my spiritual practices, reading books, listening to tapes, meditating, doing whatever I could to stay in that place of trust and faith. I started to notice that everything that was happening to me, or it seems as if it was happening to me, had incredible insights that if I stayed with the process I would soon discover. Opportunities began to show up in my life, mostly as a result of me trusting and taking leaps of faith. I had a place to live, my health was improving and I had some money coming in. And the interesting thing about all of this is, once I had the experience, or as some may say, having learned the lessons I needed to learn, everything I needed in order to write the books and create all of the things I was inspired to do at the time, in other words, all the resources and opportunities to bring my dreams into fruition came easily and effortless. It was as if something greater than myself was supporting me in everything I wanted to create. It reminded me of Richard Bach’s words out of his amazing book Illusions said, “Every problem has a gift inside. We seek problems because we want their gifts.” You may ask, “Why did I have to go through all of that?” I may not know the answer. However, as I remember what I have written for my life’s purpose. The following line jumped right at me.
“To devote my entire life to the development and growth of my spiritual, mental, and physical capacities so that I can serve as an example to others.” Way of the Heart
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“So that I can serve as an example.” A reverend once said to me, “You do not want to teach people how to do it. You want to share with them how YOU did it.” As I look back, that journey has taught me a lot about surrendering, the power of trust, faith, and the ability to create whatever it is I want by merely changing my thoughts about the circumstances I am presented with and life in general. Most importantly however, by letting go. The truth is that in order for me to assist others who are facing major challenges, by me having gone through what I went through, it allows me to relate to them at a much deeper and compassionate level. In other words, when I coach someone who is facing any kind of challenge, it is much easier for me to say, “I know how you feel, I have been there. And I can share from personal experience, how to get from where you are to where you want to go” As opposed to, “This is my degree and according to studies, this is what you need to do.” Not quite as effective. As I continued on this path, my finances grew, and continue to do so. I am creating more and more blessings into my life, I am literally transforming lives all around the world! My dream has come true and continues to evolve, all because of what I went through.
...to bring joy, happiness and encouragement to every person whom I come into contact with. To this day, I no longer fear risks because I know who my Source and Supply is. ❂
Nick Arandes went from homeless to becoming a publish author, recording artist, a development deal for a sitcom and so much more by simply applying basic universal principles that transform people’s lives. To find out more about Nick Arandes and how his work can transform your life visit: www.FulfillYourDreams.com.
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