Leap and the net will appear

The one where I quit my job, buy a ticket, and turn 40.

October 27, 2014
Dominical sarongs

“Imagine a new story for your life and start living it.” – Paulo Coehlo

 

FlightsConfirmedTwo weeks ago I quit my job. Two days ago I turned 40. Yesterday we bought two tickets to Costa Rica. We leave in March.

Two years ago we were both really struggling. We were struggling with the fact that we both feel like aliens most of the time. We were struggling with the fact that life does not give any guarantees on length, and that the happiest we feel is when we are exploring somewhere together, but we only get to do that for a few weeks a year. We were struggling with the fact that those few weeks off limits the time we can spend with the people we love. We were struggling with the fact that – on paper – we have a nearly perfect life, but we both felt like it wasn’t our life.

One day I hit maximum capacity, and for me, the only cure for that is a walk in the woods. I took my troubles to the trees and had what I have started calling a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting. I walked and talked – out loud – to God, the trees, the angels, my guides, my ancestors, anyone, really, who might be there and able to help. The land I was walking on is the land where my Grandmother was born (more on that another time) and it takes about an hour to walk its longest trail. So I walked and I talked, and eventually the conversation became calmer and more focused. I went from desperate gulping words to a kind-of feeling/breathing. It all boiled down to one thing: I needed help. Any help.

I didn’t get an answer, but I came home feeling peaceful and connected.

Ten minutes later I sat in our office, talking with my husband about what we could do. He laughingly said, “Just look up retreats for sale in the Caribbean.”

ha ha.

Turns out God uses Google.

I typed it in and got a whole website. I laughingly read out the names: “Dominican Republic, Barbados, Costa Rica.”

I stopped.

We looked at each other.

I haven’t really looked at any news reports for that day, but I am sure I would find an unidentified seismic blip.

The YES that hit both of us was quiet, calm, but powerful.  The yes that hit both of us, was the hell yes of: of course that is what we are going to do.

And then life happened. His Father died. We talked ourselves out of it. We agreed that it was crazy. We shelved it. We got on with more practical plans. But it never went away.

So last October as I was at the first Redfox retreat, he went to Costa Rica. (Because moving somewhere neither of you have ever been IS crazy… right?)

On the third night of the retreat, on the day before our wedding anniversary, we finally got to talk to each other.

I said that leading retreats and working with inspiring people felt like home.

He said that Costa Rica felt like home.

So there, in a corridor in a manor house in England and a pub in a jungle in Costa Rica, separated by thousands of miles, we both knew.

Another hell yes.

So we’re going.

Bought the tickets yesterday.

 

xo

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  • Claudia October 27, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    Amazing and wonderful – can’t wait to read about and see your adventure!

  • Jo October 27, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    So happy for you : ) xxx

  • Jenny October 27, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    YES! I am so happy for you and I can’t wait to see it and hear about it… Jxx

  • Coral Levang October 27, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    To have the courage to listen to your heart AND your gut…this is simply beautiful. Keep listening, sweet woman! Keep listening! Happy Birthday!

  • Mandy October 27, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    How positively wondrous! Enjoy this new adventure 🙂

  • Sarah October 27, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    Dancing a happy dance over here 🙂

  • Leonie October 27, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Woop!!!

  • Vanessa October 27, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    So very exciting, Meghan! I wish you nothing but the best in this adventure!

  • Jen October 28, 2014 at 3:25 am

    So incredibly happy for you! YAY! <3 Jen

  • Barb Johnston October 28, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Meghan…….Way to go! As a couple who made those kinds of crazy decisions our whole life, I say….go girl. Bill & I made the decisions that allowed us to be together as much as possible….that’s why we got married after all. We made a crazy decision fifteen years ago to forego pensions and leave seemingly “solid” jobs to forge ahead with a speaking business. We had no experience in that but knew that it would allow us to be together 24 hours a day. It would allow us to travel together whenever we wanted, not when a boss said we could. It ended up that we not only spoke all over Canada but also spoke on cruise ships all over the world. And thank God we did because as you know, Bill passed away from esophogeal cancer in August at the age of 62. A mentor told us fifteen years ago…….there are two currencies in life…..time and money. You can always find a way to make money but you never get more time so spend it wisely and with the people you love. So, good for you and Mark! Oh and by the way, we were to Costa Rica many many times….,.it is beautiful and the people are beyond amazing and friendly. Best of luck in the next section of your life journey.

  • Richard Binhammer October 28, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    congratulations Megan. Of course. Why not!!!! Enjoy and make it a great adventures.

  • Vicki October 29, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Oh my goodness, Meghan…I am so very excited for you! This is a big deal! And you must do what is in your heart. That both of you are on the same page at this stage in your life is an “aha” moment for sure! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and wishing you all the very best! ALOHA!

  • jen November 13, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    Wow! I am so excited for you both! I love those moments of clarity. I feel the same way in my own life – it is overwhelming and just not me. Making slow changes to get there, with my fiance. In the mean time, reading things like this really lift me up. So good to know I’m not alone in feeling like an outsider in my own life sometimes. Thank you for sharing your story and I can’t wait to keep reading and see how it all goes! Wheee!

  • CONNIE November 24, 2014 at 12:56 am

    Awwww!!! I love this story! Absolutely love it!!! You are going to be so at home in Costa Rica — and that blessed, sacred land will rise to cradle each step you take to birthing your dreams!!!

  • Bella Cirovic February 18, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    I love stories like this one! Brave, courageous you + your partner … living every inch out of this life and taking chances. Made my day to read your news. (A little bit late – I came over from today’s blog post).