Power to Change

by Leonara
(UK)

How many of us wish to change something or perhaps everything about our life? We seem to moan tirelessly and endlessly about everything and anything, be it the weather, traffic, commuting, our financial situation, our love lives or our friends. And yet - how many of us actually do something about it?

Bookstores have shelves full of self help books that tell us we have the power to make that change. Despite this - how many of us read the final page and set about a plan of action? How many of us are held back by fear, doubt or a resistance to change?

My story is quite simple - I am making that change. I am somebody and nobody. I am not famous, I am not a celebrity, I am just another person walking down a busy street. At some point I may have walked past you or sat next to you on a busy plane, train or bus. I do nothing special. I am what I am...

I am a normal 31 year old woman. I live in London with a good, stable job. I am not married nor am I in a relationship. I hate the same things you do; I hate the grey skies and the rain, the cold of the UK. I hate grumpy people who do not have the time of day to stop and smile or say hello! I hate commuting and traffic jams. I could continue, as I am also exceptionally good at moaning about all of the above, daily.

So...I have two options here - I could a) do something about it or b) find contentment and satisfaction in continuing to moan on a daily basis. Personally, I don't want to live a life consumed with my moaning. So - I decided upon change.

My plan of action? I decided to apply for every job between here and Timbuktu. Quite literally - America, Middle East, Asia, Australia. I decided to put faith and action into letting life show me what it has to offer. I threw my proverbial 'life' fishing rod into the great 'universe' ocean and awaited to see what life had in store for me, which fish would bite and where the wind might blow me.

The wind blew me to the Caribbean. A job presented itself. A job that to me would be a dream job. And whilst I had every fear and doubt about my capabilities in applying for the role, I wanted to see where this path might lead and grab the opportunities that life threw at me with both hands. Tightly.

I had the first interview in which I had my doubts, but at the same time a person can only try their best. To never give your best, or do your best without ambition, hope and vivacity is disappointing. People expected me to fail, my father in particular. He is a man who is afraid to dream and who believes that risks are for fools.

Nevertheless, I survived the first interview and entered into the next round for a very surreal second interview. Once again, I had my doubts but I was one step closer and nothing would stop me from trying. To try and to fail is better than not to try at all.

Again. Somehow I managed to succeed and rather than put me forward for the initial role I had applied for, they put me forward for another with better benefits. I have no idea what it is that they saw in me, but I am grateful that they saw something. A spark.

The final round in which they flew me out to the Caribbean was the hardest interview I have ever been through. At that point in time, I was full of uncertainty. Was I really serious about this? What would I do if I got the job? Leave my friends, my family, all that is familiar to go out there as a woman on her own? And how would I feel if I didn't get it?

There were only two things I knew - one, that I needed to do my best. To continue to grasp this opportunity. Two, that if I got it, that I would take it. With both hands.

I got it. Those were the exact, meek words I told friends and family upon hearing the news. Was I joyous? Partly. Was I fearful? Incredibly. Am I still fearful - immensely! I know that to many of you moving abroad holds perhaps no meaning or significance. But to me, it is a big deal. I fear going to a new country, a new job without knowing anyone. I fear being away from my friends. I fear being away from my parents whom are now in their late years and for whom I feel responsible for. I fear whether I will be successful in starting a new life for myself. I fear I am making a huge mistake.

Perhaps I am. But despite all of this, I also know that it is better to regret something you have done in life than something you have not. I also know that this is an opportunity that many would value. An opportunity I should value and would be a fool to ignore.

I have no idea how things will work out - perhaps it will, perhaps it won't. All I know is that I have to try. I can either take that leap of faith and learn to fly or I can take it, make a mistake, and learn from it without having any regrets. We shall see which it will be, but what I do know is that I will give it my best shot.

So there you have it. A simple story - nothing dramatic. Nothing earth shattering. But I hope it is a story, from somebody and nobody, that will inspire you, motivate you and help you to realize that if you don't like something, you do have the power to change it. To be open minded in life and grab every and any opportunity that comes your way - for you do not know where it may lead. To overcome any doubts or fears that might hold you back - even those shared by loved ones - and to continue to dream and to try to achieve your dreams. To have the courage to regret only those things you have done and not those you have not. But most of all, this is a simple story to remind you to always try your best and to always believe in yourself.