Take Action

“Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.”

— Benjamin Disraeli.

I almost cried just now… but I stopped myself.

Walking down the waterfront Riva in Vis Town for the final time, with all our physical possessions pulled along in a couple of suitcases, getting ready to board the ferry to leave Vis after having lived here for the last four weeks.

I think it was a combination of:

1. Being overcome with a sense of sadness for leaving this breathtaking island, and
2. A feeling of gratitude that I even have the opportunity to put myself on this journey… which, in itself, is a minor miracle.

In 2014, I was living a life much like any middle-class American… I had a great job that I loved, I was paid well, I had a mortgage and a family, and two cars, and monthly bills, and a commute… you get the idea.

I began to challenge myself in many ways… to push myself in ways that would make me slightly uncomfortable. I traveled solo for the first time in my life. I ‘participated’ in a naturist beach. It was not a pretty sight. I tested the presumption that I had always been an introvert by nature. I became interested in expanding my horizons and seeing how else I could experience personal growth.

I was inspired by stories of expats who were living more balanced, fulfilled lives abroad. I had always been interested in travel. I had amazing experiences living abroad during most of my youth… and it shaped me.

… And I decided to Take Action.

I came up with a plan. Not a perfect plan, but an idea… something to guide me. I embraced Financial Independence and got my financial life in order. I committed to my personal meditation and yoga practice. I began this blog… still very much a work in progress, as you can see. 😉

And now my girlfriend and I have plunged head first.

We:

1. Quit our careers,
2. Sold our possessions,
3. Obtained our Spanish residency visas,
4. Visited family in the US
5. Spent a month living on Vis

Now we are on our way to Montenegro to see friends before landing in Valencia, Spain to begin what I call Life 2.0.

Don’t get me wrong. There are moments are dread. There really isn’t much opportunity to go back. Some of that is by design. “It will all be ok,” I tell myself. And usually, I believe myself.

This is scary.

This is exhilarating.

But it is all worth it.

And none of it would have happened if I had not had the courage to Take Action.