"Its the chance encounters that make the journey an adventure." I have had this quote taped to the mirror in my room for the last twelve years, at least. Its been so long I can't quite remember where I cut it out from, but it was more than likely a National Geographic at my parents house, and I cut it out while visiting them during college. It resonated so much that I stuck it on my mirror, and it’s been there ever since.
The last 8 years have been some of the most transformative of my life, as I learned to be a community organizer and eventually a Director. I learned how to listen to people, to walk alongside them in their struggle to live. I learned about race and class and gender and sexuality, and was radicalized and mobilized to join the movement, the fight for justice.
But I also grew depleted, as many of us do in this work, and have decided to step back, take a breath, realign and re-envision. And thus my journey to South America begins.
I was in Southeast Asia last fall with my parents, and I had a few days on my own where I spent time with lovely travellers from all over the world. I was struck that these folks were MY age (not 20-year old backpackers or folks in retirement) and they had professional careers - like me - that they were proud of: engineers, accountants, academics, etc. And each had taken a break - anywhere from 3 months to 12 - to travel the world. I was inspired and motivated to find a space like that in my life, and when I ultimately decided to step down as Executive Director of an organization I love, I knew almost instantly that this journey needed to be my next step.
I hope that this blog is not just a chance for you to see what I am doing and where I am going, but to be inspired about where YOU will go as well. And you don’t have to leave the country, or be single, or have lots of money to go on an adventure. You can camp in your backyard with your kids, take a spa day, go on a hike, see a movie alone. You have to make the time for the little adventures in life.
When people questioned my choice to leave my job with nothing lined up (and in this economy?!), my response has been that I would rather my gravestone say, "she lived a life she loved," and not, "she was really responsible."
So join me! Go on your adventure. Be "irresponsible." Take time for yourself. And let those chance encounters along the way shape you.
And I do hope you enjoy my journey. I know I will!
