“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave,
find your eternity in each moment.”
-Henry David Thoreau
“But I won’t know where the stores are!!”
I stared quizzically at my friend. Really?? You find out you get to move to a tropical island for two years, and that’s your heart’s cry? You won’t know where the stores are?
Ages ago, back in our Navy days in the Pacific Northwest, we had some good friends who were being transferred to Guam. We had recently returned from there, and were genuinely excited for them. After six years, we knew the island well and happily shared all the tips and tricks. Churches to check out, the best beaches, restaurants, local foods and navigating the public market, family fun for their toddler, info about the naval bases, even people to reach out to if they needed anything. In a pre-Google era, we tried to be a resource for them, providing information and encouragement for their journey.
Moving to a new place – particularly one halfway around the world – is intimidating, and I certainly don’t want to minimize the stress and anxiety this can bring. I have been there, done that, got the t-shirt, more than once. Still, the downcast countenances, the sense of resignation – even trepidation- with which they faced this new adventure puzzled me.
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