Instead of dreaming about what just about everyone wished they could do, I did it!! I quit my corporate IT job in the throes of the recession in 2009 to travel the world!!
My “aha” moment came when I realized that I would rather take a chance on myself to see the world instead of continuing on in the ordinary daily grind. So, in spite of being in the recession and without selling my home or any other belongings, this forty-one-year-old single African American woman took a huge step of faith and quit her job to live life to the fullest.
When I made the decision, I really had no clue what was next. But, a few days after my last day at work, I was on a plane going to Italy!
Fast forward to more than two years and almost thirty countries later, my sabbatical has allowed me to learn new activities such as playing golf, horseback riding, climbing the Great Wall, getting a huge surprise bouquet of flowers from an admirer in Italy, zip lining in Cabo, cave diving in Punta Cana, experience bone chilling temperatures in Siberia, and narrowly escaping the earthquake in Japan.
I have also traveled to Egypt, Israel, Greece, Colombia, Germany, Croatia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and many other amazing destinations. I was even presented with a Service and Leadership award by my alma mater, recently featured in ESSENCE magazine as a “Power Player,” and a speaker for the national Meet Plan Go! CareerBreak Travel conference that encourages others in their quest for a sabbatical.
In 2012, the dream continues as I am working on my doctorate in organizational leadership and development and of course, more travel, and SabbaticalScapes!!
With hopes of inspiring and empowering other people to go for their dreams, I have been blogging about my experiences. One thing for sure: “With God ALL things are possible!”
Where will your dreams take you?
~A
