I'm off without a master plan
To the grounds of a different sand
The people of another man
I'm off into a distant land
For about a year now, I've been preparing to make an international move. With the guidance of a friend and the help of many others, I decided that I would begin preparing to teach English to foreigners abroad. Initially, I wasn't sure where it was that I wanted to begin my journey - maybe somewhere in Africa or Europe, Japan or the Middle East. The opportunities were many and I had to start somewhere.
Throughout the research process, I quickly began to realize that Asia (in general) was a great place to start. Typically, a school in Asia will fund your airfare, apartment, visa, and language courses. And sometimes, a contract will include a monthly food stipend in addition to your base salary. This seemed to be a great place to start so I began my search there.
I soon decided that I would focus my attention on China and got connected with a great school in Xinzheng, Henan, called Sias International University. The contract I reviewed also included three meals a day and all inclusive excursions into some cool places. It wasn't long before I signed it.
For more information on teaching, see below.
And as of today, I'm excited to announce that I'm finally packed up and ready to go. I'll be getting on an airplane tonight and will begin my adventure into a foreign land. Over the course of this last year, my emotions have been all over the place as I've found that it's actually not that easy to leave everything you know behind and to venture into the unfamiliar. However, it feels as though I'm being beckoned to do this... like something's calling me from beyond. It's as if I must do this for myself and for those around me.
After all, talk is cheap, right?
For a while now, I've been encouraging people to see past the things that weigh them down, whether it be a dead-end job, a financial issue, the comfort of life, a lack of hope, a harmful relationship, etc. It's so easy for us to just keep going with the flow of this thing we call life. We've gotten really good at playing it safe and many of us are bored to death. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be "careful" anymore. I would much rather venture out into the unknown and find something great to give myself to.
We all have the option of giving ourselves to something bigger than we actually are. What might that be for you? What are the dreams on your heart? Consider your talents and abilities and how they might fit in. Is there anything that you aspire to do? Each of us have a specific role to play and it's vital that we play our part. Our eyes must be opened and our hearts awakened. We must find freedom from the things that hold us back.
Do you remember the movie, Braveheart? And what about when William Wallace proclaims, "It's all for nothing if you don't have freedom"? That is a powerful statement. In fact, those are fighting words and in the movie, many died so that freedom would come to their land.
And when Wallace's father imparts strength to the young boy at the beginning of the film, what a beautiful thing it was. "Your heart is free," he tells him. "Have the courage to follow it."
We all have the option of giving ourselves to something bigger than we actually are. What might that be for you? What are the dreams on your heart? Consider your talents and abilities and how they might fit in. Is there anything that you aspire to do? Each of us have a specific role to play and it's vital that we play our part. Our eyes must be opened and our hearts awakened. We must find freedom from the things that hold us back.
Do you remember the movie, Braveheart? And what about when William Wallace proclaims, "It's all for nothing if you don't have freedom"? That is a powerful statement. In fact, those are fighting words and in the movie, many died so that freedom would come to their land.
And when Wallace's father imparts strength to the young boy at the beginning of the film, what a beautiful thing it was. "Your heart is free," he tells him. "Have the courage to follow it."
So what about you?
Is your heart free and do you have the courage to follow it?
Into distant lands, I go.
