August Chat Thread

Angie, your words were perfect for me this morning. I am about to start an adventure, living and working in Poland, that at other points in my life was not even thinkable for me. When I started this journey, I felt so stuck in my life. I did not drive - I had my license but I was so afraid that I hadn't driven since college. That limited both my personal and professional life. I lived someplace that w too small for me, but I didn't have the courage to take the economic risk to buy someplace larger. I felt stuck in my job...I w doing something I had done for years, doing it well, but not learning much new. And every month I got heavier and heavier, and I didn't care enough to do anything about it. I was afraid of change, but I was so unhappy. A relationship that mattered to me a lot had ended, not so much because of me or him but because we were at different points in our lives and wanted different things, and the kinds of changes he wanted me to make, I did not want. I am lucky that I worked for someone who cared about me, and I was able to tell him that I was unhappy but afraid of change. A few weeks later, I came in to work and found a box of 20 different tea bags on my desk...my boss left them there as the first way for me to change...to have a different kind of tea each day. That was a sign that he believed in me. I took two steps - on the same day. I signed up for driving lessons, and I joined a gym. In some odd way, one thing reinforced the other. The success I found at the gym gave me courage that I could do hard things, and that helped with the driving. In both places, I was lucky that I encountered people who encouraged me - a woman who I drove with one time but gave me so much confidence, and of course the trainer I work with still. The next year, i bought my condo that I am in now...and I took on new challenges at work....I am now in such a good place, and my message to everyone is - change is possible. Happiness is a choice. All of our lives have hard times - my mother died 18 months ago, after a two year illness, and there were many difficult moments. But there were also moments of great joy and good memories. I choose to focus on the good. And all the good is coming because I was able to change. Last week, I was in Poland and went running with people who are half my age and younger. I couldn't keep up but I could participate in a meaningful way....who I am now is, I think, exactly who I want to be...I hope that you find that feeling for yourself.

I will definitely keep posting from Poland....I think it is awesome that we can stay connected no matter where we are in the world....and thanks for your kind words...SJ