The Choice to Be Grateful

When a marriage ends after 29 years, what story will be told?

A little more than three years ago, my 29-year marriage to Evelyne Pouget came to an end. After lots of reflection, exploration, and turmoil, we both came to the conclusion that it was time for the two of us to part ways.

We talked to our kids, sold our house, untangled our finances, and moved on — Evelyne to San Miguel de Allende and me to Catskill, NY.

During the difficult time just before our marriage ended, I was working full-time at an Islamic school outside of Melbourne, Australia – living in a 10 x 12 room in a Pakistani AirBB. My nearest friends were 10,000 miles away. It was lock down COVID time. The school ran out of money to pay me. The people who were renting our Woodstock home were actively trying to sue us and put liens on it so we couldn’t sell it.

I think you get the picture. It was not an easy time.

At one point during this extremely emotionally charged time, it dawned on me that it would be a good idea for me to reach out to Prem Rawat — my long-time teacher, mentor and best friend — to let him know that a big…