Where is "There"?
This question has come up lately in conversation. Where do I see myself and specifically in what town, state or even country?!
In these uncertain times more questions than answers are being brought up, now that lives have been disrupted and interrupted.
Do we close our eyes, spin the globe and put a red stick pin randomly to see where “There” is?
In my goal coaching I have guided people in their desire to move far and away.. this has been an exciting, daunting and challenging undertaking.. for myself included. The one component missing among the moving van possessions and baggage was the people in your life.. they couldn't be packed in the suitcase or put on the moving van. Sometimes the deep desire to move eclipses the whole arena of long--term relationships and friends.
On this subject I have to mention a now not so well known pamphlet called "A
Place Called There" - with a road map on the cover. John Osteen, who is deceased, wrote this.. and this small, little treatise has impacted me for many years. It basically let's us know that we all have a place called "There", and we have to follow the signs for it. He offers his experience of a life changing move.
But think about it - have you ever been somewhere and don't feel as if you belong "there" any more? This happened to me when my children went off to college out of state.. Not only the empty nest syndrome, but all my neighbors had moved away. There didn't seem to be any reason to stay.
The move to New York not only fulfilled a life-long dream, but it was a chance to be near my family, whom I had been away from while traveling the world.. this was priceless.
But all kinds of circumstances and life changing events can motivate us to pick up stakes and move on.. after all America boasts a move every five years, making us a very mobile lot!
Again, these decisions are big ones.. not just an extended vacation.. although that's a consideration as well... In any case, they will require a deep, soul searching exercise.
Speaking of the extended vacation, the alternative to a permanent move is to spend an extended amount of time somewhere, but it is a little bit different than leaving all behind and starting a new life.
While contemplating this question, it has been immensely beneficial for me to not only experience this, but pass on to others who want to make a big move that unless you already have a network - and even if you actually do - there will be some major adjustments which will have to overpower the WHY you left in the first place. Because now that you are "THERE", HOW you proceed will be the question.