5 Days

5 Days.

In 5 days I will start a new chapter of my life teaching English in Thailand. This is not a dream that I have had for a long time nor is it something I knew I wanted to do since I was young. The opportunity sprang up on me 9 months ago and I leaped at the ability to change my life and the lives of the children I will be teaching. Do I think every day will be a walk in the park or filled with happiness and laughter? Absolutely not. I know there will be hard days, days when I wish I were home, and there will be days where I feel like giving up, but the rewards will outweigh all of bad days. I want to go on this journey to explore the world, the people who inhabit it, and myself. This journey, however long it may be, will be filled with self-exploration and self-empowerment. It will be challenging, but boy will it be worth it. In my 22 years of living I know this is the best decision I have made. To say I’m excited would be an understatement, but I would be foolish to say I am not nervous. I don’t think anyone who is moving half way across the world and thousands of miles away from his or her family could say they are not nervous. As my departure date draws near the nerves become more apparent and many thoughts run through my head:

Will I lose contact with my friends?

Will everyone forget about me while I’m gone?

Am I going to like the food?

Will I be a good teacher?

Will I be homesick the entire time I am in Thailand?

Will my cat feel like I am abandoning her and will she be miserable the entire time I am gone?

When these thoughts pop into my head I try to dismiss them. I know I would regret not taking this opportunity of a lifetime. I do not want to live a life of “What If’s” or turning away the chance to do something great with my life. I am determined to make this year MY year! A year of self-discovery, a year of change, and a year full of exciting new adventures!

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.” – Paulo Coelho