Rough Seas
As I began my journey with Our Better Selves, I entered an unexpectedly dark phase.
I had just left my stable job and jumped into the unknown.
It wasn't a rash decision. If anything, it may have taken too long to make. You prepare for these things as best you can, but life throws you curve balls. In my case, these weren’t just any curve balls.
You see, I thought I had it all lined up. I left my job in mid-June and 10 days later I joined my friends for my first trip to Europe. It was for a wedding and I was very excited!
On the way there, I had a brief layover in Iceland before heading to Berlin. As one does these days, I immediately connected to WIFI when I had a chance. When my phone connected and messages started coming through, I noticed a message from my roommate.
A few things started going through my head: “Shit - did I forget to turn off the stove? Take the garbage out? Left the door unlocked?”
Nope. Not even close.
I opened the message and read slowly…what I come to realize stopped me in my tracks like a train into a brick wall.
My roommate told me that one of my best friends had passed away. One of the most genuine, heart-centered, and full-of-life people you would ever meet was gone - not coming to the wedding, not coming to see me again…gone.
I struggled in the hours, days, and weeks that passed. The trip was still a great experience, but for a different reason than I expected: it demonstrated to me how important relationships truly are. At least half the people attending the wedding were close to my friend as well and we were there for each other. When one of us had better days, we would try to support the others and vice versa. I got to see some great things in Europe, but most of what I saw didn’t require traveling to another continent: it’s people who matter most, and we must cherish them.
Returning home from the trip saw me fall into a tailspin: no job, lack of identity, the loss of a friend, and having no clear sense of direction. It was hard and it was dark.
I was fortunate to emerge from that time but the lessons I take from those months are ones that I will never forget. It forged in me the importance of values-aligned and authentic relationships, the importance of vulnerability, and the strong arms that a community can provide in times of rough sailing.
Relationships are fundamental to our well-being as individuals, and to the well-being of our societies. This is among the many reasons I have dedicated my life to creating this meaningful, modern, and purpose-driven community with Our Better Selves.
The seas may be rough right now during the pandemic and so much else, but we will make it through with the great people we have on this ship.