There are two pieces of writing that have really shaped my way of thinking in recent years. The first is a famous poem by Robert Frost:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I---
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
This very well could be the story of my life. I've chosen a path that many don't choose, to live a vagabond lifestyle with really no direction or end in sight. But I'm reassured by my decision when I read the following quote by Mark Twain:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
After living in Puerto Rico, I debated long and hard what I wanted to do next: stay on a gorgeous island; go back home; or try once again to make my friends and family crazy by moving to another country. Oh, what the heck. I might as well move somewhere where they'd like to vacation! It has always been a dream of mine to live in Europe... one of my bucket list items actually (right there next to running a marathon, going to a Bon Jovi concert and getting another masters!) Little did I know that dream would become a reality. On August 15th, I'll be moving to Madrid, Spain where I'll be teaching middle school math at the American School of Madrid (http://www.asm.org/). My job will be both professionally and personally challenging on many different levels and I cannot wait to begin. Nor can I wait to explore another part of the world and return to many of the sights that have faded in my memory in the 10+ years since I last visited.
I definitely don't live a typical life, I'll be the first to admit it. I don't own a house, a car or an iPhone, have a permanent address or a stable retirement plan. I change friends and jobs on a biyearly basis and spend more time living out of a suitcase than a closet. But I'm blessed with an amazing family and a core group of friends; I live a fabulous life. In the past 4 years I've traveled to over 18 countries and lived in more homes than I can count. And those who know me best know I won't be stopping any time soon. So... quit your job (or take a vacation), grab a backpack, jump on the bandwagon, and come along with me. If you can't do that, follow along as I continue this crazy journey that I'm lucky enough to call my life.
I'm reminded daily to embrace life and be thankful. To appreciate the sound of laughter, a beautiful flower, and the sun's rays on my skin. But what's most important to me is that I live my life with no regrets, dream big, and never look back. So... as my journey begins, I invite you to come along with me. It's going to be one hell of a ride.
All the best, Lindsay
