Cronulla, NSW, Australia
(September 1, 2019)
“One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up, instead of what they have to gain.”
Rick Godwin
How do you react to change?
Pause before you answer!
The politically correct response that usually comes up is:
- “I love change!”
- “I welcome change!”
- “Change is good!”
In my conversations with people, change actually scares the shit out of them.
In my own life, I realized how scared I was of change.
Here I was, since 2015 telling people I was going to pursue this dream of living in Australia, only to find every excuse not to do it.
After all, how could I give up everything I had:
- I had just finished my degree, it was time to grow my career
- I had an amazing job, like, I really had an amazing job
- I had a reliable car that was paid off – I was debt free
- I had a solid group of friends who understood me and were accessible at any moment
Next thing I know, I’m sitting at the departure gate at Vancouver International Airport on June 15th, 2019:
- I had pressed pause on building a career
- I quit my job and needed to accept that I was likely not going to be welcomed back
- I sold my car and was going to be relying on public transit
- I was leaving my social life, I would be going to the other side of the world and be +17 hours ahead of Vancouver time
Was it hard leaving? Yes.
Do I regret leaving? No.
Let me *pause* here and share what I’ve been up to.
It has been a busy month, let me tell you!
I’ve gone back to work which has taken up a lot of my time.
Sure, I only work four days a week at six hours a day (thanks to the Government of Canada who taxes my income even while I temporary live overseas), however I am feeling fulfilled in the work I have been doing as I help a growing business reach their goals.
The Sydney Boulevard Hotel
Sydney, Australia
(September 26, 2019)
I’ve been asked to join our team as the Event Producer as we embark on a seven city tour of Australia where we are meeting with small business owners and business leaders; introducing them to seven areas each business leaders need to familiarize them with in order to make their business successful.
It’s funny, one of my goals was to visit different cities in the country before my Radical Sabbatical was over, and now here I am: three months into my trip, visiting Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth for work … how cool is that?!
Another big accomplishment I was able to reach was getting back into a fitness routine.
When I joined the 8 Week Challenge with F45, I had no idea it would mean giving up the holiday staples: bread, potatoes, and booze.
Yet, here I was – sacrificing afternoons that used to be dedicated to jumping from bar-to-bar to all of a sudden box jumping. I ate the same thing almost everyday, grocery shop on Thursday, meal prep on Saturday.
Drastic changes in my eating habits and paired with going to the gym five days a week paid off!
I found other ways to incorporate practical changes into my life:
- I would get off the train a station early from my destination to walk the extra few km’s
- At the train stations, I would take the stairs instead of the escalators
- It usually takes 20 minutes to walk from my house to the train station, so I would pick up my pace to do it within 15 minutes or less
Caringbah, NSW (left) and Alexandria, NSW (right)
Alana, Cassie, Stephanie, and of course my favourite vitamin, CALcium
Engadine, NSW
(September 21, 2019)
She might have dementia and ask me who I am every five minutes, but when she remembers, she tells me I’m her favourite … can you blame her?
Another major milestone was celebrating my granny’s 91st birthday.
There is some significance to being able to do this:
- Last year, all of my Granny’s overseas family (Australia/Canada) flew to the Philippines to celebrate my Granny’s 90th birthday
- She has dementia, and quickly forgets who we are
- Her health continues to fluctuate, I mean c’mon – she’s in her 90’s
As I shared in my last post, my Granny was being brought to Australia from the Philippines – a plan no one had any idea was in the works until the week it actually happened.
We weren’t even sure if she would be able to be admitted onto the plane, she’s so frail.
Yet, here she was with all of us. I continue to standby my belief that everything fell into place the way it did and when it did; that I am in Australia for such a time as this.
It was magical watching her come down the driveway last Saturday.
She shuffled down the carport after arriving fashionably late.
As she walked down, her 90 year old best friend who she hadn’t seen in over three years was standing there. My granny called out her name and began to cry, her best friend crying out too and sharing a hug.
I tell you, there was not a dry eye in the carport.
Engadine, NSW
(September 21, 2019)
She was dancing in her seat, laughed with us, sang her songs, and would continue to comment on our teeth (she lost her dentures and is currently without anything … sigh).
Engadine, NSW
(September 21, 2019)
At the end of her party, she was absolutely wiped out; good thing we made it her “Birthday Lunch” instead of “Birthday Dinner” =)
Engadine, NSW
(September 21, 2019)
While I’m in Australia, Canadians are preparing to head to the ballot box for the 2019 Federal Election.
The Canada Elections Act states that a federal election must be held on the third Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following the previous federal election. As the last election was on October 19, 2015, the next fixed election date is October 21, 2019.
(oh, PPC is also an option … but like, c’mon)
I’ve always believed that it is our democratic duty to head to the ballot box and contribute to the democratic process to choose who will lead our country for the next four years.
Whether you are a Canadian citizen living at home and abroad, you should ensure your voice is heard.
Canadian electors living abroad who have previously resided in Canada can vote by special ballot in federal elections, regardless of how long they have been living abroad. The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Tuesday, October 15, 6 p.m., Eastern time.
I encourage everyone (decided or undecided) who is able to vote to visit Vote Compass, a really useful tool for everything to determine which party best aligns with their values.
These two are independent MP’s up for reelection and are icons in Canadian Politics!
I’m voting, will you?
I have found community with my new church family at Hillsong.
It wasn’t an easy decision at first – I wrestled with it for weeks.
Some people have reached out to me and asked how I can attend Hillsong knowing the stance of Hillsong’s Senior Pastor, Brian Houston towards the LGBTQ2+ Community serving in their church?
Do I agree with their view? Absolutely not.
Do I think they’ve missed the mark? Yes.
Do I believe they genuinely love all people? Wholeheartedly yes.
Here’s the thing, all I’ve ever seen demonstrated and experienced at Hillsong Waterloo is: love.
Love, love, and more love.
Here’s a perfect example: a couple of weeks ago, this guy walked into the front of the church during worship. As he made his way to his spot, he was quickly greeted by the people around him (including two pastors); hugs, jumping up and down and high fives all around.
He was beaming and wore his “Sunday Best”: a simple black v-neck showing his silver chain, rolled up blue jeans paired with a spotless pair of white Vans. Oh, and he was rocking a fierce and classic set of newly filled French Tips.
The best part?
He stood in front of the church, arms wide open, worshiping his Jesus.
I was overwhelmed with emotions. He embodied the meaning of “come as you are” and the Christians around him welcomed him with open arms (literally).
Here’s a fun fact about Brian & Bobbie Houston. While they may hold (what I believe to be an outdated) belief that LGBTQ2+ Christians cannot serve in ministry, Pastor Brian has been an active opponent of Conversion Therapy (eh, least they’re on the right side of that issue).
Regardless of where you stand with Hillsong, consider this statement that was released on February 14, 2019:
“At Hillsong we want to be known by who we are for. We are for people finding hope in Jesus, we are for people finding love and acceptance, and we are for helping people in any way we can. Our focus is on pointing people to Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life”. No matter where you are in the world, when you enter our doors, you will be greeted with a sign that says, ‘Welcome Home’. That is the heartbeat of Hillsong Church. Indeed, that is the heartbeat of God.”
So, let’s go back to what I was saying earlier.
It was hard to give up the great life that I had in Canada, however I have gained so much in just three months of being in Australia.
- I have a job that energizes me and is giving me an opportunity to travel across the country
- I am living a more active lifestyle and I’m taking the steps to reclaim my body
- I get to make some more memories with my Granny while she’s on this earth
- I still get to participate in shaping the future of Canada by voting in the upcoming federal election
- I saw the love of Jesus towards the LGBTQ2+ Community in a church that I did not believe was able to show it
Is there something in your life that you are afraid to give up?
Giving it up might mean a financial setback or may not be the fan favourite option.
People might question your decision to change; heck, you might not even be ready to pursue the change (I know I wasn’t).
However, imagine what you have to gain?!
For example, imagine someone building their career with the same company for decades and then leave it to start a new career?
One could focus on everything they’re giving up: the comfort of the known, the familiarity of the organization, or the reputation and network they have built over the decades.
Or one can focus on what they have to gain: an opportunity to disrupt their narrative, learn a new industry, or more importantly – a better life for their family.
So, whatever it is in your life – may you move away from your fear of losing it all and move triumphantly towards everything you have to gain.
Onwards,
-Zaighum
ZP's Radical Sabbatical 