It's been 7 months today since I quit my job and moved to Australia. When I left, I had an offer in the Middle East waiting for me that I was to take up in June this year. It was to be the same oil-engineer-field work, sans taxes. 7 months in. I'm still here... and I have a puppy :) I got lucky.
Steve Jobs once said something in a Stanford graduation speech about connecting the dots. If I look back at the past year, my choices have been a series of lucky well placed dots leading me to the amazing life that I have now. My friend Ramu, had an exchange semester in Sydney in September last year. I decided to use my vacations and take a month to explore Australia with her. Loved the life, loved the weather, loved the laid back attitude, loved the respect that people had for one another. Loved the fact that people actually made an effort to be friendly and polite and know their neighbours. I'm sure this happens in other communities as well, but I had spent the last 3 years holed up in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere pumping cement down an oil well. I really didn't know better. After coming back to India from my vacation, I knew my heart was still in Australia. I knew I had to take some time off and go back, travel and be with people who added something beautiful and challenging to my life. But bills. But mortgage. But life? For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to have true choice. Not choice, tainted by the reality of pleasing the parents, bills or student loans, but true free choice, like when a dog decides to lick itself in public. It's astonishing how liberating it is to feel yourself making a life choice only for you. I have a dog now, an extended family, the same killer friends AND the time to smell Spring :) It feels like I can breathe. I didn't know I enjoyed photography. I may not be good at it, but I enjoy it . I love decorating my home and even though it'd be ideal if I owned it instead of paying rent towards someone else's mortgage, it is still my home- such a leap from "Hotel Royal" in "Yanam". There is a lot to be grateful for and I guess that is the point of this post. I woke up today, overwhelmed with gratitude. This risk could have ruined my life but it didn't. And I have my self, my friends, family and fate to thank for it. So, for anybody out there, afraid to take the leap. I'd say, have faith. Have hope and have a plan. Save up, and then, when the time is right, maybe hold off buying the house for a bit and take a leap of faith. Do something that you love. Be around people you love. You wouldn't believe how beautiful life is and how amazing people are. You hear their life stories and your struggles seem like cupcakes. I hope you experience it all, like I am. And if you're already there- Hi :)
